Creative Director Bethaney GrayPhotographer

Peter Gray

Marketing ManagerJeanette Helen

Contributor’sLisa Cruse

Marina PerryClaire Chadwick

Sharni FisherJeanette Gray

Ngarie StirlingCarly Tribe

Rachel WernickeElise Easdown

Quest Contributor’sJody Allen

Vanessa CarnevaleLiana Kabel

Janell FowlerJulie Allen

Jessica Van DenKaren Gunton

TalkingMums

CabooltureBrisbane,4510

Phone: 0478524015Email: talkingmumsmag@gmail.com

Online: www.talkingmumsmagazine.com

Questions and feedback:

WelcomeHello everyone and welcome to our October issue! I am very proud of how far we have come in so little time and I thank you all for your support and encouragement to help us get to where we are. In this issue you will learn alot of very useful tips, ideas and inspira-tion that you can apply to your life and continue using along your per-sonal journey. I hope you gain alot from our October issue and learn heaps about how to build on and improve your business and family life. I am very excitd to announce we have released our first printed issue and have packed it full of information to build your business with confidence and use as a guide to refer to for many times to come.

October is a wonderful month and once the craziness of the school holidays has finished and the household is back into a routine (well most of the time) why not use this time to re-organise your office or house and refocus your goals in preparation for yet another crazy time of the year, Christmas!

Bethaney GrayCreative Director

www.talkingmumsmagazine.com

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Contents

Business

08

10

12

Book of The MonthA beautiful book raising money for a great cause!

I’m Lucky to be AliveA mum’s real life story of survival

Supermarket SnacksWhat’s really in them?

16

20

Make Up TrendsThe latest styles and trends.

What’s OnWhat’s on for Kids and the family.

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30

34

Do you want a flatter belly?Marina shows us how.

Am I a bad parent? Katrina shows us the wrong ideas that saturate parents thoughts.

Ideas to keep the kids happyClaire shares some great ideas.

We show you the inspiring women apart of our October printed issueyour sneak peek to what’s to come.

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Lisa Cruse Claire Chadwick Merybith &Samara

Jeanette Gray Ngarie Stirling Sharni Fisher

Marina Perry Rachel Wernicke Elise Easdown

4

Katrina Dekka Carly Tribe Betty Homoki

Little Children Big Dreams provides parents with affordable, personalised stories to help children aged between 2-10 with a fear of the dark or fear of monsters. Each of the stories is based on successful therapeutic principles, and can be downloaded and printed instantly from the website. They are accompanied by a guide for parents on how to use the stories to best help their children, and a certificate for the child. The child is then encouraged to add their own illustrations to their stories for added ben-efit and quicker results. Parents will find each story to be a really simple yet effective tool for helping their children to overcome their fears.

to enter head to www.talkingmumsmagazine.comand click on the competitions page

to enter head to www.facebook.com/talkingmums

V Happy Spring wonderful readers, this is the best time of year. The weather is heating up, baby animals are being born and the kids are on holidays. I am very happy to introduce a brand new book written by,

Michelle Worthington and Illustrated by the amazing up and coming 1st time illustrator Sophie Norsa. Yellow Dress Day. The very talented Sophie has just finished high school. 17 and al-ready completed her 1st published picture book. We all know the fabulous author Michelle Worthington, who has previous books The Bed Time Band and The Pink Pirate. Michelle has written Yellow Dress Day for a darling friend of hers a young lady named Ava who has a developmental disorder Rett Syn-drome. Part of the proceeds from the sale of, Yellow Dress Day

goes directly to the International Rett Syndrome Foundation on behalf of Ava. “One whistling whirly windy morning leaves tumbled and danced in the back yard. Ava and her puppy wanted to go out and play; But Ava’s favourite coloured dress was missing. What will Ava wear on this Yellow Dress Day? “Both myself and Bella-Rose (my 3yr old.) have to say this is our FAVORITE Michelle Worthington book so far. Every little girl who has a wardrobe that also looks like a rainbow of dresses must have a copy of this book. Purchase your copy now from Pint Size Books for $25.00 or the Book and Ava Doll gift pack for $40.00- Lisa Cruse

“Part of the proceeds from the sale of, Yellow Dress Day goes directly to the International Rett Syndrome Foundation on behalf of Ava.”

New Product/ Yellow Dress Day/ You can purchase it at www.facebook.com/pintsizebooks

9

I went into hospital on sunday night the 9th suffering from hours of

pain coming from my tummy it felt like someone had stabbed me.

I’m only 30 weeks pregnant I was in so much pain they gave me

morphine and transferred me straight to Mater Brisbane Hospital.

My blood pressure was so high I was in danger and the pain was in-

creasing, I was suffering from severe Pre-eclampsia. Pre-eclampsia is

a serious medical disorder of pregnancy and can affect both mother

and unborn baby. Damage to the mothers blood vessels which

causes the rapid rise in blood pressure that can lead to seizures

or stroke, thinning of the blood and protein in urine. Kidneys are

disturbed, liver, brain, heart and blood clotting system is affected,

unusual swelling, kidney and liver damage and death of mother and

baby. I got to Mater at 1 am, as I waited they informed me I will have

to deliver my baby. I didnt know how serious my condition was be-

cause i was so high on morphine, the doctors kept moving the time

closerfor delivery for an emmegency c section as my blood pressure

was getting higher and there was a high chance of me bleeding

out in the operation so i may not make it. I had no idea what was

happening I was in so much pain, I didn’t relise my baby was coming

out 2 1/2 months early i wasnt even in labour. I was scared as I was

wheeled into this large operating room with so many people around

me in gowns, I knew something was about to happen as they put

that mask over my face and then I was asleep.

This was a major operation in which I lost way to much blood and

almost died. I had numerous amounts of blood transfusions.

I woke up in intensive care, still very out to it with a doctor in my

face asking me where I was, I had no idea, hospital?

He said your in Mater do you know whats happened? I had no idea

I had a baby, I knew something serious has happened because i

wasnt ready to have my baby. My son was born 10th at 6.58am

Maison weiging only 1.24 kg, 2.7 pound. when he was delivered he

wasnt breathing, moving or responding, he only had a heartbeat.

My condition worsened, my belly was swelling up with blood, and

I am now suffering from HELLP Syndrome which is a 0.2% chance

of getting it and i got it. I was the most severe case this hopsital

has ever seen!!!!. HELLP Syndrome is a serious complication of Pre-

eclampsia, it is red blood cell damage, liver damage, low platelets

in the blood leading to blood tendency and very severe abdominal

pain and fluid retention. It can cause seizures, anemia, problems

with blood clotting, internal hemorrhaging, placental abruption,

difficulty breathing from fluid on the lungs, liver and kidney damage

or failure and stroke. It is that serious it is fatal. I knew something

was wrong because the doctors are now informing me I have to

have another operation to save my life and I may also need to have

a hysterectomy. I remember looking at Braithe and his face was so

frightening and scared, his hands were so purple, I knew something

bad was happening to me. I was in so much pain and high on drugs

i didnt know how serious it was.

At 12 pm Tuesday I went in for the second major operation to save

my life, I am internally bleeding inside my stomach, This was caused

by blood vessel rupture from high blood pressure. I had to be cut

down from just under the chest to the pubic bone, surgeons then

took out all my organs and intestines and stomach. Your body holds

5 litres of blood in total and doctors found I had 3 litres of my blood

pooling around in just my stomach.

I almost bleed to death. If I didn’t stop bleeding the loss of blood

would cause hemorrhagic shock causing brain damage. It is so

serious that if I wasnt seen to when I was it would of caused death

and cardiac arrest.The surgeons had no idea where I was bleeding

from. This has now caused my kidneys to fail because the blood has

compressed my organs causing it’s dysfunction. I was then stitched

back up with 54 stitches.

My skin is now grey and my eyes are bright yellow, I have now

ballooned in fluid retention adding 70 kgs on top of my weight in

a matter of hours. I am beyond recognition even my mum didnt

recognise me. I can’t move at all, I can’t eat, see , talk and I can’t even

drink because my kidneys shut off and my mouth, throat and down

to my stomach is so dry.My blood pressure is still so high I feel like I

am boiling on the inside. I made eveyone fan me with a piece of pa-

per for days straight and I’d scream if they stopped because I could

feel my blood boiling on the inside from the high blood pressure.All

I could say was don’t look at me don’t touch, me don’t talk to me, I

knew I was sick.

The drugs they were giving me for the pain (ketamine also used

on burns victims) and also another drug stronger than morphine

for pain relief, I could not see, I was halluscinating so much I was

seeing double of everyone and everything. I was seeing things,

hearing things and feeling things that wern’t really there. I cant close

my eyes and I am just staring into space, this goes on for a week. I

couldn’t read, focus and my head kept shaking out of control. I’m

bed bound so I can’t move at all only just my hand slightly. I’ve never

been so scared, the pain is so intense it hurts so much. I couldn’t

sleep because I knew if I fell asleep I would die so I stayed awake

for days counting every second. I have no idea if it is day or night. I

looked like a zombie, my eyes were 10 times as big, I just starred and

didn’t blink and I had no facial expression, I looked dead. I managed

to look at my reflection in the ward and it did not look like me I was

so scared, I didn’t recognise myself.

I have now a big incision from side to side from the emmergency C

section, and another under my chest from the second emmergency

operation. I have 2 big pipes coming out of my throat,2 big drain-

age pipes coming out of my belly I have big needles coming out of

my wrists and 2 coming out of my neck and more out of the lower

abdomin. My kidneys have failed and I’m on a diallysis machine to

keep them working and that goes into my thigh, I’m on oxygen to

breathe. I’m bed bound, I can’t physically move at all, I can hardly

talk and I am concentrating so hard just to breathe. I have stocking

machines on my legs so I don’t get blood clots. I have to get my

blood checked every hour, blood taken every day, heart checked

every day, numerous other needles everyday and medication. I have

that many bruises from all the needles on my arms, my legs and on

my stomach I am purple and black, I have a cathader, I have a button

for pain killers which I press every 5 mins but I can still feel the pain

it is so insane.

The drug ketamine is going directly into my blood stream

consistantly for 4 days straight. I have a nurse at my bedside 24/7

watching me. My blood pressure is still so high that I feel I’m boiling

on the inside. The pain is so intense, never in my life do I want to feel

this pain again, it doesnt stop.

I watch every second that goes by as my pain is so intense. The 14th

I had the diallysis machine turned off but my kidneys are still not

working, I still haven’t eaten and keep throwing up. I continue to

throw up for the next 4 weeks and this hurts so much, because of

the surgery and having my stomach muscles cut in half. The pain is

so intense. I am taken off the drug ketamine because im hallusicin-

taing too much. Words cannot describe how painful this is and the

pain doesn’t stop.

Friday the 15th, 5 days after giving birth I finally got to see my son

for the first time. I was wheel chaired beside him, I couldnt even

smile I was that sick I could only just touch his foot and his hand, I

said hello and his eyes just lit up for the first time, he knew who I

was and I think he missed me. I missed him so much not having any

form of contact with him after giving birth. I couldnt be more proud

of my little man being so young and now breathing by himself.

I love him so much. This was the happiest day of my life. I stayed

strong to be alive just for him and I’m so happy he is so strong and

healthy. Monday 18 th, was the first time I held my son and I cried

for the first time since being in hospital. Maison just looked me, the

whole time.

I didn’t eat, drink or walk for a week, my body shivered the whole

time I was in hospital as I couldn’t feel if I was hot or cold. I only

could sleep for an hour at a time and when I woke I just kept

screaming from night terrors. The last day I left hospital was the first

day I walked by myself with out a walking frame or wheel chair. I was

reminded everyday that I had a child, I just had no idea what was

going on and kept forgetting, I had to hang a picture a pictire above

my bed.

I was in intensive care for 10 days and then into a medical ward for

5 days and now I am home. But I still have a long road to recovery

my kidneys are just working again but will be weeks even months

until they are working properly, I’m still in alot of pain. I can only just

walk I have a ridiculous amount of fluid. I see my baby every day

so I can give him my milk which i express every 4 hours. He will be

in intensive care for another 2 months until he is full term at least. I

love him so much and he is the reason I stayed alive knowing I had a

son waiting for me. Without him I would of just let myself die.

And I wouldnt of made it without my beautiful and caring Braithe

and family who stayed with me the whole time I love you so much.

No one will ever understand how much pain I endured, it hurt and it

still hurts, each day I look in the mirror I am reminded again from the

scars, I can never forget.

Instead of stretch marks I got scars but these scars tell a story.Im so

lucky to be alive.

- Krystal Edkins

We’re well and truly into Spring now. It’s so refreshing to see the Winter wardrobes of blacks, whites and greys, get packed away and to see women starting to embrace the newness of the season shift with some colour. Florals and patterns are coming out to play, along with brighter colours, playful hues and lighter layers. Just like fashion; makeup trends change from season to season, and Spring is the perfect chance to mix things up a bit and experiment with a new, gorgeous look. As a busy Mum, I know the time restraints that present each day. Getting ready in the morning; whether for work, an event, a day at home or a park-date needs to be a quick and affordable routine. With that said, you can still feel confident, look great and enjoy this season whilst rocking out some new makeup styles.

So, what are the 2012 Spring trends? Ooh they’re fun. Are you ready?12

Neon Nails. No doubt you’ve started to notice the pops of fluro creeping into the stores. You may not be bold enough to embrace the ‘80’s-neon-clothing-wear-ing’ days again, but you can still have fun with these

hues – on your nails. There’s a huge variety of neon nail polishes available at the moment. A splash of colourful fun on your hands, can truly lift your mood. Go on – try it.

L ittle Red Riding Hood. Red lipstick is all the rage this sea-son. Try a matte lipstick or go to town with a high-gloss style. If you want to ease your way into wearing such a bold colour, try a muted red that gives your lips a more

rosy, soft look. And the best thing about this season; you can pull of red lipstick any time of the day. For daywear, team it with some simple neutral makeup and a very light cover of eye colour.

S moky Eyes- The Colourful way. Heading out for a date with your man, or to an evening function? This new trend of smoky eyes is a fun one. Smoky eyes usually means a haze of greys, blacks and silver. However, this season

has amped that look up, with a bold mix of purples, blues, pinks, greens and silver sparkle. Blend your colour selections across the top lid; working your way up to the brow. Carefully apply the same colour-team along the bottom lid under your lashes to give your eyes an amazing pop. Don’t hold back – embrace the flare of this season.

Claire Chadwick - www.scissorspaperrockdesigns.com.au/

Here are Ten reasons you should invest in scarves this season: They brighten up an outfit

A light weight cotton scarf can be thrown over your shoulders to protect them from the sun or to keep the evening breeze at bay.

If the wind picks up, wrap it around your head to keep your hair out of the way

Throw it over a sleeping child at lunch to keep the sun out of their eyes or make them feel snugly

Use as a sarong while walking along the beach

Or spread on the sand for a spontaneous picnic

Tie to your handbag strap to brighten it up

Thread through your belt loops on your favourite jeans

Throw over the outdoor table as use as a gorgeous, bright table cloth or

Tie around a plain straw hat to add some personality.

ScarvesI can not express my love of scarves enough. These are the must have Spring and Summer acces-sory. They can be as cheap as chips or as expensive as a pair of boots but they are the most multi- ‐functional accessory you can own. Rachel Wernicke

www.redcliffestyle.com

www.secretescapebeauty.com.au

Contrary to popular belief, focusing on getting a six pack by doing sit-ups won’t give you a flat tight tummy. A slender, firm belly area begins at the deepest part of your core and requires the use of the transverse abdominus and pelvic floor first.

Joseph Pilates has always maintained that without a strong core it is impossible to have a strong body. I know this to be true from the thousands of individuals I have trained at Pure. If you are incapable of stabilising your core, it is impossible to effectively perform most exercises for maximum result. It is exactly the same as laying the foundations of a house. Without a strong base, any structure you attempt to build, no matter how beautiful it is, will eventually crumble and collapse. Physically, this is usually in the form of injury. Mums often hurry to strengthen their limbs, but focusing on arms and legs without first addressing the abdominals in the right way will only create an imbalanced body. Our core is our powerhouse for movement and our arms and legs are merely levers.

While the abdominals are where everyone should start, it is even more crucial that mothers begin here as well because of the physiology of what occurs to their bodies during pregnancy and delivery. You still need to address the rebuilding of the core using the right muscles. Here are some great exercises to try to get your belly flat and your tummy taut.

The Lean LiftFirstly, sit tall with a neutral pelvis or lie down on your back with your knees bent and your feet on the floor about 60cm from your tailbone. Now, take two fingers from each hand and place them on your hip bones. From here, step them in an inch, and then down an inch. At this point, press your fingers in and cough. The muscle that you’ll feel jump out to meet your fingers is your transverse abdominus. Keep your fingers in this

spot and let’s move onto Lean Lifts. You need to use your bladder control muscles here, which are activated when you cease urination mid-stream. Imagine you are urinating and then squeeze off the flow. I simply want you to squeeze off the tap and hold this in. Now, gradually draw the liquid at the base of the tap back up the pipe, lifting and pulling it away from the bottom of your pelvis. Hold it as high as you can and for as long as you can, then release it. Just the muscles go. Practice this a few times. Easy, right?Now, I know that for many mothers this activation will feel foreign and challenging, especially if your pelvic floor is weakened from childbirth or if it hasn’t been trained before. You might feel that nothing is happening initially but I promise that you will start to feel this connection. Avoid bracing your abdominals, sucking in your belly, tilting your pelvis or holding your breath. Try to do your Lean Lifts at least three times a day. Corset ContractionTo begin, maintain a neutral spine and locate with your hands the point in line with the hips but below the belly button. Gently squeeze the two sides of your rectus together with your fingers and palms (some of you might also be wearing a binding band or a splint which can aid the action). Now, draw your ‘corset’ to your spine, focusing specifically on the point just below the belly button. Draw this point as deeply to your spine as you can. The rest of your waist will also pull in and you should feel this around your back as well. Initially, squeeze as deeply as you can, hollowing and scooping in. Hold this for as long as you can, ideally 30 seconds, breathing while you hold. Then release fully. Now squeeze again, drawing your corset in to a size 0, then release it out to a size 8 (but don’t fully relax) and pull it back into a size 4. We’ll do this 10 times to start with – drawing in from a size 8 to a size 4, a size 8 to a size 4 etc. Relax and then repeat this sequence two more times. Build up to 30 pulses (pulsing from size 8 to size 4), then add a long hold at the end. Keep building on it day after day.

Toe taps

Setup Lie on back, shoulder blades rolled back and down into the opposite hip pockets, broaden through the chest and melt the ribs down to the mat. Feet are on the ground, the heels are a comfortable distance away from the bottom and the knees are bent up towards the ceiling. Perform Lean Lift and Corset Contraction to prepare

Action Breathe in and lift the right leg to tabletop, maintaining a neutral/imprinted alignment through the pelvis. Breathe out and lift the left leg to tabletop, ensuring that the

imprinted spine is maintained. Breathe in to prepare. Breathe out and hinge from the hip lowering the right toe to tap the ground. Breathe in and draw the right leg back to tabletop.Breathe out and hinge from the hip lowering the left toe to tap the ground. Breathe in and draw the left leg back to tabletop

Rules Disassociate at the hip joint to take the whole leg towards the ground rather than simply bending at the knee. Maintain a neutral alignment through the spine as you lower the leg down to the ground. Stay relaxed in the upper body.

Reverse curls

Setup Lie on back, shoulder blades rolled back and down into the opposite hip pockets, broaden through the chest and melt the ribs down to the mat. Feet are on the ground, the heels are a comfortable distance away from the bottom and the knees are bent up towards the ceiling. Perform Lean Lift and Corset Contraction to prepare. Once stable, straighten legs to ceiling

Action Breathe in and prepare. Breathe out and hinge legs towards core of body, without swinging or using momentum.

Breathe in and return legs to starting point at ceiling, above pelvis. Breathe out and repeat

Rules Focus on folding pelvis back towards body and tuck pubic bone up towards ceiling. Size of leg movement is not important. Often, a smaller movement requires more control and allows for a deeper abdominal connection. Focus on using the deepest of your lower abdominals to draw the legs back towards your body. Stay relaxed in the upper body, avoid pressing the arms into floor. For Level Two, take your arms to the ceiling, palms facing in towards one another.

Double leg lifts

Setup Lie on your side. Hips are stacked one on top of the other. Legs are slightly forward of the line of the body. Heels are in line with the bottom. Maintain a neutral alignment through spine and pelvis. Bottom arm is lengthened and top is arm is resting in front of the chest. Scapular is stabilised and steady. Pelvic floor and transverse are engaged

Action Breathe in to prepare. Breathe out and lift both legs off the floor keeping pelvis stable. Breathe in and lower the legs to the floor

Rules Only lift legs to where you can still maintain stacked hips and your pelvis in neutral position. Avoid excessively pressing through support arm. Keep abdominals strongly engaged. Avoid extending through the lumbar spine. Check that hips don’t roll back as you lift the legs.

17

An ever-increasing indoor lifestyle and our dedication to covering up and applying sunscreen every time we venture outdoors is contributing to a growing number of us experiencing inadequate vitamin D levels.

Vitamin D is most famous for its role in bone health, as it helps with the absorption of calcium and phosphate, and reduces calcium loss from bones.

Recent studies also suggest that it plays an important role in immunity and infection control by assisting our infection fighting white blood cells. And is linked with fighting flu and other respiratory infections due to its role in the production of infection fighting amino acids.

So now we know that it is important, how do we get it?

Vitamin D is obtained from a variety of sources but the main source is from exposure to sunlight – yes, getting outdoors! Our amazing and very clever bodies have a steroid in the skin (7-DHC) that is converted to vitamin D3 through the action of UVB light hitting the skin. Vitamin D is also found in foods; however, in order to get adequate levels through diet alone, two servings of fatty fish like salmon or mackerel would have to be consumed EVERY day.

Although we live in a sunny country, several studies have shown that as many as 1 in 3 Australians have low vitamin D levels. Even in Queensland a study found that 40.5% of subjects had low blood levels of vitamin D at the end of winter.

How do you know if your vitamin D is low?There are really very few immediate symptoms of vitamin D deficiency. Someone with a mild to moderate deficiency may experience no symptoms at all, or just vague aches, pains and tiredness.

With severe or prolonged deficiency muscles are often weak and people can’t get up easily from a sitting position, bones may ache and be tender to touch. Most importantly, without adequate vitamin D, the body does not absorb calcium which can lead to a number of serious boneissues, including osteoporosis and bone fractures.

The most accurate way to tell if you are vitamin D deficient is to have a blood test.

1 in 3

Australians have

low vitamin D

levels.

www.littlemagnolia.com.au

18

Specific people who are at in-creased risk of low vitamin D

• People with naturally very dark skin • People with little or no sun exposure including: - people in occupations where they have limited incidental UV exposure - older adults, especially the frail or ill, who are housebound or hospitalised- people who wear concealing clothing or deliberately avoid the sun- people with conditions (for example: obesity, coeliac disease, inflammatory bowel disease) or medications affecting vitamin D metabolism - children who don’t play outdoors regularly- Breast fed babies who have mothers with low vitamin D.

“It is important for women to maintain adequate vitamin D levels during pregnancy to ensure healthy development of their baby’s bones both before and after birth. Breast milk contains very little vitamin D, so breastfed babies are initially dependent upon the maternal stores.”

Much controversy has surrounded the topic of how much sunshine is enough and how much is too much, especially with the risk of skin cancer. It is a subject where there has often been a lack of consensus among medical specialists themselves.

It is important to note that sunscreens block UVB light from absorbing into the skin, which is required for the skin to make vitamin D. Therefore, the above sun exposure recommendations are based on skin with no sunscreen applied.

If you are concerned about being exposed to the sun, or have been medically advised to stay out of the sun, another other way of making sure you are getting enough vitamin D is to supplement with a high quality vitamin D capsule. The standard dose is 1000IU per day (1 capsule) or as advised by your healthcare practitioner.kind regards

General guidelines for sun exposure for people with fair to olive skin

- 4-6 times a week- outside the hours of 10am – 2pm- 5-10 minutes at a time (September to April)- 15-20 minutes at a time (May to August)- expose face, hands, arms or equivalent area of skin

This is a guide only and varies from state to state.

- Carly Tribe

Parents with toddlers are being urged to ditch supermarket

snacks and fruit juice drinks and go for fresh alternatives to

give their children a healthy start to life with a review finding

many pre-packaged options contain alarmingly high levels of

sugar, salt and unhealthy fats.

A nutritional analysis undertaken by nutritionist and chef Zoe

Bingley-Pullin for Australian Avocados looked at the contents

of products in eight popular children’s snack categories and

found most contain a range of hidden sugars and high levels

of saturated fat along with a range of additives and preser-

vatives. MSG was also shown to be used to flavour leading

savoury biscuit snacks aimed at kids.

According to the review, some cheese and cracker snack packs

contain up to or over 100 per cent of a three year olds’ recom-

mended daily sodium intake. Sweet puffed rice bars were also

shown to have up to a quarter of a toddler’s daily sugar allow-

ance. Disturbingly, some children’s yoghurts can be higher in

sugar than adult options.

Ms Bingley-Pullin said that while packaged snacks may seem

convenient and even healthy based on face value, many

parents are unwittingly purchasing foods with poor nutritional

credentials for their families.

“Research shows that 70 per cent of food preferences are es-

tablished at an early age so to ensure a healthy diet later in life,

parents need to stop relying on processed snacks and whip up

nutritious options with fresh produce instead, involving little

ones in the process wherever possible,” she said.

“Use a rainbow of ingredients in each meal plus different

textures and temperatures to make food interesting and fun.

Apart from being a rich source of dietary fibre and low in sodi-

um and sugar, avocados are colourful, delicious and texturally

appealing so they are a perfect food to experiment with,” she

said. Bingley-Pullin said that along with parents,

childcare play an important role in guiding the food

preferences of toddlers and must help to improve their eating.

She pointed to the ‘Eating My Colourful Vegies and Fruit’

resource kit, developed in 2010 by the growers of Australian

avocados in conjunction with nutrition and education experts

Shelley Woodrow and Nadine McCrea, as an initiative using

development-based food exploration activities to help estab-

lish good eating habits for life.

The program has already helped 60,000 preschoolers embrace

a variety of plant-based foods and this October, it will launch

across another 600 child care centres and be piloted in 10

primary schools nationwide.

Karen Broomfield, Co-Director at Bulimba Child Care Centre in

Queensland, said the program proved a major success last year

with toddlers delighting in trying a diverse range of healthy

new foods.

“The ‘Eating My Colourful Vegies and Fruit’ kit engages chil-

dren and helps them develop varied food preferences in fun

and positive ways through activities that get them using all

their senses when discovering new flavours and textures,” Ms

Broomfield said.

“The program also assists with building social, science and

food literacy skills, so we will definitely be using it again this

year with our toddlers,” she said.

The Australian avocado growers are committed to playing a

part in improving the wellbeing of future generations and see

the resource as a valuable way to help achieve this.

Along with the resource kit, each participating centre receives

a tray of fresh Australian avocados to help support the imple-

mentation of a range of sensory activities.

- Nutritionist Zoe Bingley-Pullin

These drinks are high in sugars (natural and added) and are a den-tist’s worst nightmare as they can contribute to dental erosion. Water or plain milk are better options for toddlers. Flavoured milks provide a good source of calcium but are still high in sugars (natural and added).

These yoghurts can be a good source of calcium and in some cases have added Vitamin D and Omega 3s which are beneficial for children. But surpris-ingly, some of these products were generally higher in sugars (added and from fruit) than some adult options. Be sure to check the nutrition informa-tion panel when shopping.

On average these products are high in energy and contain high GI carbohydrates, high in fat (some products have half the fat from unhealthy saturated fat!), a range of sugars and sodium.

While the fruit content in these products varies greatly from as little as 1% fruit, it is usually processed and there are high levels of a range of sugars, additives and preserva-tives. They are not a substitute for fresh fruit.

Rolled Fruit Snacks

Puffed Rice Sweet Treats

Fruit Juice Drinks

Children’s Yoghurts

Cheese and Crackers Snack Packs

On average these contain processed cheese with a high saturated fat and sodium content. The biscuits are loaded with sugar, sodium and pro-cessed carbohydrates. A piece of low fat cheddar is a good alternative as a calcium-rich snack.

*Key Findings from Toddler Snacks Nutritional Analysis

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Pizza FacesServes: 1 child Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients1 avocado Capsicum, diced (as much as desired) Sliced cherry tomatoes (as much as desired) Sliced mushrooms (as much as desired) Grated cheese (as much as desired) Half wholemeal English Muffin or pita pocket Tomato paste or tomato sauce

Method1. Arrange your own funny face on a toasted half wholemeal English muffin or a pita pocket 2. Spread with tomato paste or tomato sauce. 3. Use sliced avocados, diced capsicum, sliced cherry tomatoes, sliced mushrooms and grated cheese to create eyes, mouth, nose, ears and hair. 4. Optional: Place under the griller briefly to warm the toppings and melt the cheese.

Kangaroo Pouches Serves: 1 child Prep Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients 1 avocado, sliced Tomato, sliced (as much as desired) Tinned beetroot, sliced (as much as desired) Lettuce (as much as desired) Grated cheese (as much as desired) Pita bread

Method1. Slice the Avocado, lettuce and tomato into as many pieces as you want, to include in your kangaroo pouch.2. Cut open the pita bread half way.3. Fill with all of your yummy salad fillings.

Eating My Colourful

Pizza FacesServes: 1 child Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients1 avocado Capsicum, diced (as much as desired) Sliced cherry tomatoes (as much as desired) Sliced mushrooms (as much as desired) Grated cheese (as much as desired) Half wholemeal English Muffin or pita pocket Tomato paste or tomato sauce

Method1. Arrange your own funny face on a toasted half wholemeal English muffin or a pita pocket 2. Spread with tomato paste or tomato sauce. 3. Use sliced avocados, diced capsicum, sliced cherry tomatoes, sliced mushrooms and grated cheese to create eyes, mouth, nose, ears and hair. 4. Optional: Place under the griller briefly to warm the toppings and melt the cheese.

Kangaroo Pouches Serves: 1 child Prep Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients 1 avocado, sliced Tomato, sliced (as much as desired) Tinned beetroot, sliced (as much as desired) Lettuce (as much as desired) Grated cheese (as much as desired) Pita bread

Method1. Slice the Avocado, lettuce and tomato into as many pieces as you want, to include in your kangaroo pouch.2. Cut open the pita bread half way.3. Fill with all of your yummy salad fillings.

Eating My Colourful

23

Avocado Sushi Serves: 4 children Prep Time: 30 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients 1 ripe avocado 1 scrambled egg 1 cucumber 1 carrot Sushi vinegar Nori seaweed sheets Cooked short grain or sticky rice

Method1. Fill Nori seaweed sheets with cooked short grain or sticky rice, thin avocado slices, sushi vinegar, bits of scrambled egg, fine strips of cucumber and grated carrot.2. Rolling them up is almost as fun as eating them!

Hulk Smoothies Serves: 3Prep Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients1/4 avocado 1/2 banana 1 and 1/2 cups milk 2 heaped tablespoons of full cream yoghurt

Method1. Cut avocado in half, scoop out one half and cut into two chunks before placing in a blender.2. Peel banana, break in half and add to blender. 3. Pour the milk into blender and add two heaped tablespoons of full cream yoghurt. 4. Put a lid on blender and blend until all of the ingredients are combined, with no lumpy bits. 5. Pour into cups to serve to your little monsters!

Fruit & Vegies...Recipes for Kids and Kids at Heart

• Take stock of your pantry and shop for any ingredients. There’s nothing worse than beginning a baking session only to find you don’t have the correct ingredients.• Make sure your oven is pre heated to the correct temperature and your shelf is in the centre• Make sure you don’t over fill your papers, filling them two thirds full should help them to rise just enough. And be ready for decorating.• Make sure you have read through your entire recipe before starting.

• Do not over mix your batter this will make a chewy cake rather than a moist one.• Have all your ingredients measured out before you start.• Have all your ingredients at room temperature this makes a smooth more consistent batter. Avoiding lumps will prevent over beating.• Take note of baking times a regular sized cupcake will bake for approx. 18 to 22mins but a teeny tiny mini will only need 8 to 14mins. Always test your cakes after the minimum baking time as oven temperatures can vary. A good way to test if your cakes are ready is to insert a toothpick into the centre if it comes out clean your cake is done.

• Make sure your cakes are completely cooled before decorating a little patience in this area will go a long way to preventing a melted disaster. A good tip is to let the cakes cool for a few mins in the pan before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.• When decorating the sky’s the limit! It can be as simple as dipping and twisting each cake into frosting and then sprinkles or and complex as making edible fondant decorations. There are lots of books and even video tutorials out there to give you plenty of great ideas.• And if you don’t have time, very few dessert lovers will turn their nose up at fresh cupcakes topped with bought icing/frosting.

www.facebook.com/sugarplumcakedesign

to enter head to www.facebook.com/talkingmums

www.whatson4littleones.com.au

28

www.whatson4littleones.com.au

The Spring school holidays are here. Slow mornings, whole days spent in pyjamas and a relaxed routine are all welcomed parts of having the kids’ home. However, the constant stimulation and entertaining can take its toll on Mums and Dads. Trying to keep the kids busy and happy, whilst watching the family budget can be challenging. Don’t stress – there are many affordable (or free) ways to keep the kids entertained these holidays. You just need to be creative and a little resourceful.

Enjoy this time with your children. Holidays are for relaxing and reenergising but also for refuelling with some family time. Try to be present with your children and truly cherish this time with them. These days are numbered as each year ticks by.

Inside Activities:

• Let them dig out the contents of the linen cupboard, and give them free reigns to build cubbies and forts inside their rooms or by using the dining room furniture. This will keep them happily playing for hours. • Have a tea party. Simply use what you’ve got at home – make some mini shaped sandwiches using a cookie cutter, slice up some fruit, pour juice or water from a tea-pot and some yummy cookies is all you’ll need to fill the kids up. Use a nice table-cloth, pick some flowers from the garden and put in a vase and let the kids dress up in their party best. They’ll cherish this lunchtime treat with you. • Get the kids to make paper fish (by draw-ing, colouring & cutting out). Attach a paper clip to the fish. Tie or blue-tak a magnet to some string, and wahlah – the kids can enjoy a fun fishing session. • Dig out the old board games and puzzles. Children love rediscovering old toys again.• Buy a basic scrapbook when you’re gro-cery shopping and let the kids fill it with all of their holiday experiences. They can jour-nal, photograph, sketch or write about their holiday break. Encourage them to glue in special items found (such as: leaves, bro-chures, tickets, postcards, feathers, photos etc)• Get crafty and recycle egg cartons, ce-real boxes and paper plates. Uses for these are endless; simply Google craft ideas and you’re creative spark will be ignited.

Get outside and enjoy Spring:

• Using large sidewalk chalk (available from $2 shops), draw a hopscotch template onto the driveway or patio.• Set up an obstacle course using outside furniture, toys and/or sporting equipment. • Go on a bug hunt or nature walk.

• Create a ‘scavenger hunt’ for the children to complete in your backyard or local park. • Head to your local library and stock up on some new books for the kids. Enjoy some afternoon reading in the yard on picnic rugs with pillows and afternoon tea. • Make super hero capes with old sheets or tablecloths. Sit back and watch the kids run around, letting their imaginations guide the way.

- Claire Chadwickwww.paperscissorsrockdesigns.com.au

“Zachary Hunter Cot Comforter”

Our newest collection is classic with a modern twist. This soft grey chevron collection is equally suited to a nursery or a teenager’s room. Printed on luxurious 100% cotton sateen with plush polyester fill quilted in. This cot comforter measures 100cm x 120cm and is machine washable for easy care. Also available in single and king single duvet cover. Made in Australia. RRP: $220

KATE LAURENDesigns

Complete the Charlotte Paige collection with a stunning drum lampshade in this stripe design. Measuring 20.5cm diameter and 18cm high, this lampshade fits a standard lampbase fitting. Made in Australia. Pre-order now for October delivery. RRP: $79.97

A gorgeous mixture of pink and white florals adds instant charm to any girl’s room! Available in 35cm diameter and 40cm diameter. The exact fabrics used will vary and we do not recommend using as a light fitting. Please allow 3 -4 weeks for delivery. RRP: $44.95

“Charlotte Paige” lampshade

“Shabby Pink Fabric Lantern”

www.katelauren.com.au

KATE LAUREN

It’s wonderful to see so many visitors spending school holidays on Bribie Island, and enjoying the great outdoors. Why not drive across the bridge and join them.

Take advantage of numerous activities available to keep the kids entertained dur-ing the holidays.

For parents needing a day to regroup, The Aquatic Leisure Centre offers Vacation Care from 6am to 6pm for school age children.

Take the day of and relax in one of Bribie’s cafes while your budding archaeologists are safe at the Abbey Museum, participating in the ‘Kids Dig it Day’.

For those looking for a bit of isolation, go camping Bribie Island style. Recriation areas are accessible by 4WD or boat. Do some fishing or just enjoy the solitude.

Dolphins, dugong and turtles are just some of the wildelife you will encounter while cruising in the calm wters of the Pumices-tone Passage.

If you are visiting us after the holidays, check out the ‘Out of a Log’ woodies exhibi-tion. During the month of October local woodcrafters will desplay their wares at the Community Arts Centre.

We love music on Bribie Island and many of our visitors return regularly, to enjoy the ‘Locals Only’ shows at the Bongaree Sports Club and the Blue Pacific Hotel.

Show and Shine is another monthly event drawing huge crowds. Locals and visitors gather at Ningi Plaza for a family night out. Cars and bikes are on desplay. Live music has them rocking and rolling while the kids are kept busy in the jumping castle. All you have to do is bring a chair.

Bribie is busting with talent and Woorim-Stock is where we are going to show them off. Soon, Tintookie Park will come to life for 9 hours of music. Be sure to join us for that event.

For those planning their first visit to Bribie Island ourbribie.com.au is your ultimate guide to all activities on the island. Visit our website regularly and stay in touch. Use our what’s on Guide and never miss an event.

- Betty Homokiwww.ourbribie.com

Am I A Bad Parent?

Hello readers. Not being a mother myself I constantly find myself hearing conversations regarding how busy, emotional and time consuming being a parent can be. I have often heard parents say that they can’t remember the last time that they had time to themselves.

I have the outsiders perspective and answer which is simply ask for help. However my professional side of me knows that it’s not that simple. I know that many of us have some automated meaning associated with asking for help.So here is what I want you to do. Write down everything that comes to mind that you make mean about yourself when you ask for help. This could be like: I’m a bad parent, I’m incapable, ask-ing for help is a sign of weakness etc. These meanings

could be different for everyone and somepeople may not have any negative thoughts associated with asking for help.

Once you have completed this list read over it and ask yourself if any of it is really true. You will find most if not all of it isn’t. This gives you the freedom to make a choice without those unconscious thoughts or mean-ings controlling your actions or lack of actions. One last tip on help is that your actually asking someone to contribute to your life with their capabilities. You are acknowledging them and empowering them by asking them. So you asking for help can be a win win situation for both parties. Happy asking!

- Katrina Dekkawww.superpowereducation.com.au

34

Talking Mums has been built around the belief that women in business, in particular mums can do anything and go anywhere. As women we are great communicators and by the power of a great support system and guidance can achieve success in business and in life.In our October printed issue we have brought together an inspiring and resourceful bunch of awesome business women for all mums and women to turn to and to gain quality help, support and motivation to help your busi-ness achieve the goals you have set and to guide you in the right direction from the very beginning.

Name- Jody AllenBusiness- Stay at Home Mumwww.stayathomemum.net.au

Introduction- Jody is an inspiring, beautiful mother of two who has an awe-some story about the birth of her business success and how her innocent blogging hobby turned into a full time career.

* Jody will be sharing story and her tips to blogging success which you can use and apply to your business.

Name- Julie ParianosBusiness- Kate Lauren Designswww.katelauren.com

Introduction- Julie created Kate Lauren deisgns from her passion for design and creativity. Her business is names after her

tion after then has been inspired by her other children. Julie spent about nine months designing her first collections, sourcing suppliers, manufacturing products and creating her own website. * Julie will be telling us about how her business and how she was able to start with an idea and cre-ate a wonderful, successful business.

Name- Karen GuntonBusiness-Build a Little Bizwww.buildalittlebiz.com

Introduction- Karen is a champion of women in biz. i encourage you to follow your gut, question the rules, jump out of your comfort zone, and kick ass with your ideas. She is always looking for ways to transform something good into something superb. Karen will help you stand out and wow your fans, as she talks about visual marketing and the power it has to trans-form your business.

36

Name- Janell FowlerBusiness-Baby Buttonwww.babybutton.com

Introduction- Janell is a truely inspiring entrepreneur. When she fell pregnant for the first time she felt that there was a lack of prod-ucts available to feel comfortable when breast feeding, so she decided to make products to suit her situation and bam before she knew it her business was on the road to success. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing, read her story about how her dream became a reality and be

inspired by by her simple tips and ideas to use for your handmade business, including how to brand your products, how to advertise handmade products, where to source material suppliers and many more interesting and popular questions.

www.epherielldesigns.com

Name- Jessica Van DenBusiness- Epheriell Designs

Introduction- Jess Van Den is extremely pas-sionate and passionately extreme about all things handmade. She makes her living from making and spreading the word about handmade. She has alot of experience in business and has kindly agreed to share with Talking Mums readers the important information needed about pricing your products correctly. So don’t miss her column.

Name- Liana KabelBusiness- Liana Kabel Designswww.lianakabel.com

Introduction- Liana is a very tallented Contemporary Jeweller and her passion for business has inspired her to become not only a designer but a business coach, her attention to detail has allowed her to excell in her field and become the awesome business women she is today. We talk with Liana about her business journey and she shares with us some fantastic business advice.

Name- Julie AllenBusiness- Moops and Hoops

Introduction- Julie came from a background of finance into the world of handmade and she is loving it. Julie loves sharing her wonderful business story and is inspired to see so many women taking up the challenge of business. Julie shares her experience when it comes to organising your business, where to sell your products, marketing and more.

www.moopsandhoops.com.au

Name- Vanessa CarnevaleBusiness- Vanessa Carnevalewww.vanessacarnevale.com

Introduction- Are you living your passion?Vanessa believes you can step into your brilliance, that you can live the dream, and she truely believes that YOU have what it takes as business women.

“I want to help you find that spark and shine your light. Let’s find it. Let’s set it up and manifest it into the big wide world.” Vanessa is a brilliant business coach and inspiration to anyone interested in starting a business. She shows us how we can make business a reality for ourselves and shares with us her story.

Meeting Vanessa for the first time was like taking a deep breath of fresh air. I found her to be extremely warm, approachable and attentive. She has amazing intuition and ability to ‘read’ people. She is action oriented and has an amazing drive to get things done rather than just talking about it. She is values-driven, empathetic and underling her every thought is her social conscience – this is what makes her so special. She is dedicated and passionate about her clients achieving their goals and her knowledge and wis-dom is ever present. Her positive and enthusiastic manner is contagious and I found myself feeling on top of the moon after every session. She has provided me with clarity and a new focus around my future.

You can tell she truly loves her job and she is really living ‘her dream’!

- Lisa Iurada, Pigeon Pudding,

www.pigeonpudding.com.au

Vanessa is such an inspiration to me and her enthu-

siasm for life is infectious. Since connecting with

Vanessa, she has generously shared her time and

knowledge with me. Vanessa has provided me with

wonderful insights and advice regarding the compa-

ny I am about to launch. To me, Vanessa epitomises

the modern successful business mum. I admire her

passion for her beautiful family and for her thriving

business. Vanessa really does ‘walk her talk’ and is

making a real positive difference in the world today.

She comes from a place of love and I am so grateful

to have met her. I hope you have the opportunity

to meet and work with Vanessa because I learnt so

much from spending time with her...she truly is an

amazing woman.

Rhiannon Colarossi

The Wellbeing Web

www.wellbeingweb.com.au

What people are saying about Vanessa

Name- Ngarie StirlingBusiness- Brisbane Kidswww.brisbanekids.com.au

Introduction- Ngarie is such an inspiring mum to 3 gorgeous children. She owns and runs the

ultimate information site for parents to get information about Brisbane events, activities, play-grounds etc. She is very prominant in the business of social media and shares with us some secrets to running a successful facebook page, and most importantly she lets us in on the ways businesses on facebook go wrong.

* You can find all these stories in our October printed issue available at www.talkingmumsmagazine.com

www.talkingmumsmagazine.com

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