Busy MumsMag

Volume 1 September 2014

BabyEczema FAQIntroducing SolidsLatest Product Reviews

ParentingChildren’s Toys & Cognitive SkillsMinimising Children’s MessEncouraging your Child to Read

Table of Contents

HolidaysCamping changes as your kids growStradbroke Island CampingNew camping productsCool Camping GadgetsLife on the RoadTop 3 Ultimate Camping DestinationsHoliday Parks Reviewed

FoodRecipesFamily Friendly Meal PlanningPanasonic Steam Combi MicrowaveCooking Products Reviewed

OtherReading MaterialNew ReleasesReducing your Grocery BudgetControversial CornerInteresting Tips

Ten top tips for Mums getting fitEnergy on the Go New and NotewortyCompetitions

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Welcome to the first edition of Busy Mums Magazine where we aim to offer an interesting lifestyle magazine with solutions for today's busy mums. Covering all aspects of life as a mum you will find regular sections in the magazine as well as Special Features in each issue to highlight new, fun and interesting information for families.

Within our initial Busy Mums magazine we have a special feature dedicated to Family Holidays and travel. It is a subject I am passionate about, believing that the secret to a happy family lies in taking time out, to stop and purely focus on having fun, building relationships and creating memories with your children and husband.

All of the articles within the magazine are online at MumsDelivery.com.au and we would love you to contribute your thoughts, suggestions or tips on any of them.

Happy Reading!

LorraineWould you like to become a contributor for Busy Mums Magazine? Send Us your information. Our next issue features

a massive Christmas Gift Guide broken down into age appropriate sections. Follow us today to get it as soon as it is published.

Get in touch: Editor: info@mumsdelivery.com.au Advertising Enquiries: lorraine@mumsdelivery.com.auOffice: (02) 9940 3097

Stay Connected

Editors Note

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Baby

Eczema is a condition unfortunately suffered by many children, and in light of Eczema week (September 8-14) we asked Michelle Vogrinec, Aussie mum of three and creator and MD of GAIA Skin Naturals to help us better understand this condition.

Is it controllable? How? “Yes, you can manage your eczema.”

Firstly, try to discover your particular triggers and avoid these things if/when possible and/or make alternative choices. For example – if wheat is one of your triggers, try gluten-free breads and pastas or go with rice instead. Or if soap is your trigger swap over to buying soap-free toiletries and household products. These sorts of things are now more readily available in your supermarket so it is easier to make changes and try things which may be more suitable for you.

Additionally, because eczema skin is dry skin, it has lost some of its barrier function. It is therefore unable to retain moisture and block irritants and allergens such as dust, grass and wool fibres on its own resulting in the ‘eczema patches’ which can be red, crusty, scaly, flaky, weepy and itchy. Moisturisers can help to maintain the skin barrier and, if used regularly - particularly at the first sign of dry skin – may help the appearance and comfort of skin affected by eczema.

According to the Eczema Association of Australasia (EAA), for mild eczema, and many cases of moderate eczema, adequate moisturisers combined with a good, general skin care routine can be used to successfully manage the condition. Even when a prescription medicine may be required to treat the affected area, moisturisers are often recommended to be used regularly and as early as possible, to obtain maximum benefit.

“Of course, it is always recommended to seek medical advice from your doctor or health professional for your particular condition.” said Michelle.

Does eczema get better as your child grows? “Although eczema can affect all ages, it usually appears in early childhood (in babies between two-to-six months of age) and disappears around six years of age. In fact, according to the Eczema Association of Australasia, more than half of all eczema sufferers show signs within their first 12 months of life and 20 per cent of people develop eczema before the age of five.

The good news is most children grow out of the condition, but some may experience eczema into adulthood.” said Michelle.

Eczema FAQ

What are the triggers for eczema? “The exact cause of eczema is unknown. It can be caused by so many different things. There are however a few common allergens that can trigger a “flare up”. Even though everyone’s triggers are different, it is recommended to avoid contact with soap, artificial fragrance, high foaming agents and some preservatives in skin care products. In foods, avoiding flavour enhancers and unnecessary additives and preservatives, and environmental things like dust mites, pollens, flowers and tobacco smoke, may assist in minimising exposure to triggers and flare ups.” said Michelle.

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Baby

How should I bathe a child with eczema? “Keep the bath water to body temperature or below, which is about 34-36 degrees. Most people have their baths way too not without even realising it. Try using a bath thermometer as a guide in order for the heat not to further irritate or dry out the skin. Gently apply a cleansing product that is pH balanced, does not contain any trigger ingredients such as soap, sulphates, artificial perfumes or harsh chemicals and preferably contains moisturising ingredients. Do not rub the skin vigorously and, if using a washer, ensure it is soft and thoroughly wet. Gently pat the skin dry with a soft towel – again do not rub as this may further irritate the skin.

Apply a moisturiser within three minutes of bathing (while the skin is still slightly damp) to ‘lock in’ the moisture. For extra moisturisation at bath time, I suggest using a plant-based baby oil in the bath water. Adding a couple of drops of the oil with your wash will provide an even more nourishing and moisturising bath. It will leave skin feeling gorgeous! It is especially handy if you won’t have time to apply moisturiser after the bath. (GAIA Natural Baby Massage Oil is mineral oil free so it will absorb beautifully into your baby's skin and won’t clog pores or cause irritation – with NO greasy residue).” said Michelle.

What part do cleansers play in the treatment of infant eczema? “Adequate skin cleansing is vital for general health and healthy skin. Washing with water alone is not enough to clean baby’s skin from the build-up of dirt, urine, faeces and bacteria which can lead toirritation and infections -especially in the skin folds and nappy area.

But choosing a suitable cleanser to use on babies and one that won’t further dry or irritate the skin – particularly if bub has eczema - is extremely important. Baby skin is already thinner than an adult’s, and has not yet fully developed its acid mantle and normal barrier functions, making it more sensitive.

Additionally, with eczema, the skin has lost some of its natural defenses, due to the defective barrier functions. This makes baby’s skin less able to withstand environmental challenges. Further to this,soap, harsh detergents and some cleansers can strip baby’s natural protective skin oils, temporarily raise pH levels, and be quite irritating and drying on sensitive baby skin.Therefore, it is recommended not to use soap or solid cleansing bars, artificial fragrances or cleansers with harsh detergents when washing baby’s skin, but to choose a pH balanced, soap and sulphate free product, preferably with added moisturising ingredients.

If possible, test the product on a small area of skin first for a few days/weeks to ensure that it does not sting, burn or irritate the skin. (Some companies can provide you with free single use samples for this purpose). If the product causes an immediate reaction – discontinue use immediately and seek medical advice.” said Michelle.

What part do moisturisers play in the treatment of my infant eczema?

“Moisturisers can play a pivotal role in any management/treatment plan for all dry skin conditions, particularly eczema. In fact, according to some leading dermatologists, good eczema management is impossible without regular use of a moisturiser.

Many people tend to under-use moisturiser because constantly applying it can often prove time-consuming, tedious and inconvenient but when used correctly, as part of a daily skin care treatment regime, and earlier rather than later in the eczema cycle, moisturisers can be highly effective. Read the rest of the article here

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Baby

So it’s time to introduce solids. It’s an exciting time but it can also be stressful if you find you have a fussy eater. All babies and toddlers fuss at some point and this is normal. There is a lot going on for them as they are growing and learning, and becoming more preoccupied with the world around them.

Here are some of my tips based on what I’ve learned through personal experience and some research, to help you manage a fussy eater:

Offer the same food up to 10-20 times.Baby’s taste buds are not fully developed and it can take up to 10 tries or more before they like a flavour. Be consistent in your approach and revisit a food every few weeks or months to allow your baby to get used to the flavour.

Get your baby/toddler involved.Give them a spoon and let them feed themselves. It’s good practice and helps build motor skills. If your baby is refusing to eat, calmly pack up and offer again 15-20 mins later. Don’t show your baby that you are upset about them not eating their lunch/dinner. Mealtimes should be fun, and any negative attention can make the next feeding time difficult. Make food a positive experience.

Make lunch time meals funRemember that your baby is learning about food’s texture, colour and smells. Offer food at lunch that they can feed themselves for practice, or let them help you feed them if they prefer to be spoon fed. Let them make a mess without the stress. Get them involved, even if they help set the table or put veggies in a bowl. Get them interested in food and mix it up every mealtime. Offer new flavours and let them explore. Make a vegetable face or make a pizza with flat bread and let them choose the topping.

Introduce the ‘try it once rule’In our house we have the ‘try it once rule’. You don’t know you don’t like it until you try it! Toddlers are people too and it’s important to respect their feelings. They have likes and dislikes just like adults. Some days they are not as hungry as other days. They are allowed to not like something, but always encourage them to try it once. In saying that, continue to offer the same foods on several occasions so that they have the chance to get used to the flavour.

Stick to a routineChildren thrive on routine. Set a daily routine that works for you and your family. My boys know that breakfast, lunch and dinner times are set and that makes meal times easier.

Eat with your childrenBe a good role model. Babies & toddlers learn by watching us. Sit down together at mealtimes.

Don’t BribeDon’t bribe your toddler to eat. And certainly do not bribe with dessert. This will only bring on more issues around dinner time, teaching them the association that eating a plate of food equals reward.

Offer foods earlyOffer foods early and repeatedly, from their first introduction of solid foods. Repeated exposure to a wide range of healthy foods will help with fussy eating.

The ‘reverse psychology’ trickThis one works for me. While I prepare lunch or dinner, I say ‘no, you can’t eat this, this is mummy’s favourite’. This also keeps things light and fun.

Introducing

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Baby

Small PortionsDon’t fill your toddler’s plate with food, as this can be overwhelming for them. Seeing a full plate of food could feel overwhelming and may put them off. Offer small portions and start slow. If they finish their plate, ask if they want more. Don’t forget that your toddler has a small stomach – it’s only the size of their fist.

Do not let your baby/toddler snack on crap!Offer fruit or yogurt at snack time and nothing too heavy. There is no need for them to eat sweets or fatty foods. Also, do not let your baby/toddler snack all day. You don’t want to spoil their appetite.

Most of all – Don’t stress.Don’t let your toddler see you react as this just gives them attention, and will make all meal times a challenge. Make eating a fun and positive experience. Show them how much you enjoy it and always talk positively about food. Never force feed your toddler, as this only make the situation worse and

can cause choking and vomiting when your toddler is crying. It can also set negative associations around food and mealtimes.Always offer a range of healthy nutritious food and choose organic whenever possible.

These tips brought to you by Sevi Stolica, mum of Lucas 3.5 & Thomas 2 Founder of Baby Bistro - natural healthy baby food.

Solids

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Reviewed

Perfect PrepBottle Preparation in under 2 minutes!RRP: $250 More info: Closer to Nature

Love to Swaddle UP 50/50

The new 50/50 design allows you to transition your child from firm swaddle to sleeping bag by unzipping the wings.

RRP: 49.95

Philips AVENT Comfort Breast PumpComfortable Electric Breast Pump with petals to provide comfort and ergonomic designRRP: $249

Scratch me not MittensThe silky mitten part when flipped over is ideal for children who have itchy skin or rashes to stop them from scratching at it or tearing the skin. RRP: from $27.95

Squooshi Reusable Food PouchesSquooshi pouches are dishwasher, freezer and microwave safe which makes them so convenient. RRP: From $4.95

My Very Own Story is a personalised story cd rom that aims at making each child feel part of an adventure with a number of interactive features including sound, animation and movement. RRP: $30

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Handmade Wooden Abacus This gorgeous handmade Abacus is a perfect early childhood educational aid. A traditional counting tool, still widely used to teach little ones numbers, counting, addition and much more. Free standing and beautifully hand crafted in wood using traditional techniques, it has colourful beads coloured with non toxic vegetable colours which will engage children 3 years plus. Fairtrade, handmade and sustainableRRP $50 - Purchase online via Tree Hugga.com.au

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Parenting

It is not all play. You will be surprised to know the role, children’s toys play in building cognitive skills of your baby. The toys you give to your child may be contributing more to his/her cognitive skills than you credit them for. It is all play and no learning, you say. Well, then, you might want to think again.

Academics

From counting the number of blocks to colouring in their drawing books, each activity helps a child build important skills for a lifetime. While playing, children learn to distinguish between different colors, shapes and quantities. The animal game, for instance, in which children imitate any animal, increases their memory skills and focus. Or, let’s say, you invent a new game, ‘the fruit game’, in which the child sorts pictures of fruits by the colors of the fruit. Not only does it improve the observation skills of the child, the child also learns how to categorize or sort things according to their different attributes. In addition to this they will also be learning fruit names and familiarizing themselves with fruit. All games, involving colors, names, alphabets and quantities, help the children ease into their later academic life and make academic learning easier and playful for them.

Thinking and Problem Solving

Jigsaw puzzles are an excellent example of how to boost thinking and problem solving skills of your child. The jigsaw puzzle might just be a relaxing game for adults. But for children, it gets them thinking what the end result will look like and which pieces will come together to get the jigsaw puzzle in shape. They sift through pieces to figure out what will complete the jigsaw and this is where play turns into learning for them! Building blocks are another great toy that encourages your child to think and problem solve.

Creativity and Imagination

Engaging a child’s imagination with ‘what-if’ questions prods them to think beyond the obvious. Create a story about a bizarre character (take inspiration from the mad hatter character!) and ask your child what happens next in the story. Or better yet, ask them to recreate the character using props at your home! Or imagine yourselves to be a superhero. What superpowers would you choose and how would you save your town from the mad, sea-monster raging around the city? Hmmmm….. Pretend play and dressing up as a character is great fun for children and helps them to learn about many of the valuable roles that members of our community undertake. You can create scenario’s to encourage their imagination, make or buy costumes to get them looking like a character or simply get a few props that they can use.

Discovery & Curiosity

Curiosity from an early age is what leads the child to learn more about his or her surroundings. For the older children, science and experiments kits are easily available. But toys for toddlers aren’t so far behind either. In an age where multi modal toys are available you can now find toys that provide multiple ways of stimulation from sound, lights, textures and more.

Children’s Toys and Cognitive Skills

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Parenting

If you have children, you have clutter and what can be construed as a ‘mess’. There is nothing quicker at making a mess than a child, however whilst it is wise to accept clutter as a fact of life when a parent, there are a few steps you can implement to minimise the clutter and to keep the mess at a level you can cope with.

• Isolate the clutter. If possible have a dedicated toy/play room where they can keep their toys and play to their hearts content. You can then shut the door when needed, or implement a rule that it needs to be cleaned once a week to stop it being a complete disaster zone.

• One thing at a time. Getting your child into the habit of having to put their current toy back before they get a new toy is an ideal way to minimise the clutter and to teach your child to pack away their toys.

• Halve the toys. To retain their interest in toys and to reduce the shear amount of clutter they can cause, keep half of their toys in a toy box or area that they don’t have access to. Then periodically you can swap the toys over and it is like Christmas as they rediscover old toys.

• Giving everything a home. Spend a little bit of time with your children creating ‘homes’ for all the toys and explaining that the toys need to go home to sleep as well. Then when it is time to pack up your children will at least know where they should put everything.

• One in, one out. When your child gets a new toy, ask them to pick an old toy that you can donate to charity. This will help to reduce the shear amount of toys within your house at any one point in time.

• Experience Gifts. Often your children will be given so many toys by friends and family on their birthdays that you could ask the grandparents or close friends for experience gifts like a zoo membership or trip to a museum or the movies for their birthday rather.

What tips do you have on minimising the clutter throughout the house?

MinimisingChildren’s Mess

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Parenting

Creating a Reading EnvironmentThere is no reason why parents shouldn’t help their children learn to read. Here are some general tips to create an open reading environment.

1. Have books in the house from before you have children.2. Be seen to be reading by your children3. Make sure your children have a bookshelf in their room from

birth. Populate it with books for the duration of their time at home.

4. Always give your child a book for his/her birthday. Of course you can also give other presents as well, but always include a book as one of the presents.

5. Always give your child a book for Christmas. 6. And of course you can also give a book to your child as a

present for no particular reason.7. Go to the library and go often. Get books for yourself and

help your child choose suitable children’s books for their age and stage in life.

8. Give each of your children their own book bag to use when going to and from the library. Let the child carry the bag and take full responsibility for it.

9. Draw your child’s attention to signs and signals each day. For example: traffic lights and what they mean; signs for public toilets, telephones, bus stops, taxi ranks, names of shops like supermarkets, chemists and so on. Children need to learn that we can represent ideas in pictures and words and other symbols. Look at letters and numbers.

10. Give your child paper and wax crayons to draw with. Have thick crayons for young children and work up to thinner crayons as your child gets older and his/her fine motor skills improve.

11. Make sure your child has well developed oral communication skills and a good vocabulary.12. Read to your child every day. Read during the day but also make reading a bed time ritual as

well. So after your child has bathed, eaten dinner, brushed teeth and is in bed, share a book with him/her. Read the book together.

13. Read nursery rhymes and sing songs – this gives the child a sense of the rhythm of the language.

Encouraging your

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Parenting

How to Read a Book to your ChildIt’s a good idea to read the book yourself before reading to your child so that you are familiar with the story and can guide discussion.

1. Look at the front and back covers of the book with your child. Use all the information on the covers to guess what the book will be about. Ask your child questions about what they see. Read them the blurb on the back cover and ask them what they think the story will be about.

2. Look at the pictures inside the book. Ask your child questions about what they see in the pictures, what’s happening, how they think the character is feeling and so on.

3. Read the book to your child. Read with expression. Always read all the words and read them in the same order so that the child knows the story will always be the same.

4. Read the book to your child as many times and as often as your child likes. Children’s books are not meant to be read once only. Reading is a learning process and requires a lot of repetition.

child to Read

5. You can runyourfingerunderthewordsas you read them so that the child begins to understand that the writing on the page is what you are reading and that it always stays the same and does not change.

6. You might draw your child’s attention to a particular word and discuss it.7. Look through the book again together without reading it and talk about what is happening.

Ask your child questions about each page. Reading involves memory so encourage your child to retell the story in his/her own words as you go through the book and he/she looks at the pictures to remind him/her of the story sequence.

8. Reading should always be fun – never a chore. So make sure you make the reading experience with your child fun. Be guided by your child.

9. If possible, do some activities related to the book.10. Have fun!

About the authorSue Largier has taught from the cradle to the grave and the only thing she is certain of is that parents must be actively engaged in teaching their children to read. With this in mind, Sue has designed a program to help parents teach their children to read at home. You will find books, activities and information at www.redrondavel.com .

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Holidays

My favourite family memories are camping with the kids.

Having kids changes everything! This includes camping. Pre kids we did a lot of walking camping with packs to wild and beautiful places. It took us until they were 14 years old before we were doing walking camping again! Car camping was a whole new world for us! We found it to be wonderful.

We started camping when they were young – they (yep twins) were 5 months old. After 5 months of interrupted sleep and the pressures of having 2 new little people to look after we were SO ready for a camping break.

Camping with BabiesSo we headed off for our first family camp. Looking back it was the best! We were very sensible, kept close to home only an hour and half to a national park.

We had a lot of gear from our pre kid days, so the first trip was easy. When you have babies you have everything you need at home. Going to a mother’s group, or a play group needs the same preparation as going camping does!

Putting the babies on a rug under a tree, if they are not crawling yet, you get

some outdoor freedom, bird life, bush noises and time to breathe. Ah bliss! I loved snoozing with my babies under a tree – my version of heaven on earth.

My TIP for camping with babies: Pre cook most of your food. Limit travel distances. See the camping trip as ‘time out’ for you and your partner. When you are comfortable & relaxed this will flow over to your baby (or babies!).

Camping with crawlers & toddlersIt is magic reading stories around the camp fire. Being with your kids as they discover the feeling of mud, dust, leaves is great. The exploring done at this age can be part of camping. There is permission at camping (at our camp site anyway) to get dirty!

The best piece of equipment we had during these years with our kids was backpacks for the kids to be carried by us comfortably. We bought 2 of them – cost us a lot... however this meant we could do a reasonable bush walk, the kids could sleep or be sung to, or just look around and everyone was happy. When camping these backpacks also doubled as temporary high chairs for feeding time!

This age takes more work as they need to be watched at all times: ants, snakes, lizards,

birds don’t steer clear of curious little kids. Then there is the camp fire the river or water hole to be aware of. It was in all honesty more work – but even with the extra care needed so very worth it! The key to success is to take family or friends with you (aunties, cousins, friends, other families). We had plenty of camping weekends and holidays that gave us the break from suburbia, back to nature with our toddlers.

My TIP for camping with crawlers or toddlers: Bring their books & music. Bring re-enforcements (family or friends) so you can grab a nap, try to keep some of their routine as this often settles toddlers.

Camping with primary aged kidsOur kids mastered their two wheeled bikes while camping, it was a lot more fun doing the run alongside the little bike with a wobbly kid on top in the bush than along the sidewalk at home.

As the kids got to around 7 years old our trips became much more social. Kids are like magnets for other kids! We started to go to places where we expected to find other families. We were welcoming of other kids for cricket, soccer, swimming with us. We met many nice parents this way. I always had

Camping changes

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Holidays

a few very clear rules for my children 1) they were never allowed to go into another person’s tent & 2) they were never allowed to swim unless an adult was with them.

As they got older (8 or 9 I can’t remember!!) we gave them good quality walkie talkie so we could touch base with them as they rode their bikes around the camp site or were off climbing boulders. They got lots of physical activity. We developed friendships with other families that enjoyed camping – this was GOLD as the kids loved being together plus the adults got to rotate being on duty with the kids.

I noticed that it takes 1-2 days for the kids to settle into a camping rhythm. First couple of days we needed to do more structured play and activity with them... however as they (or was it us?) got more into the camping groove we all relaxed.

My TIP for camping with primary aged kids: keep them active – swimming, walking, cricket, bike riding, ball games... active kids sleep and eat well

Good to have: binoculars for spotting birds etc, spotlight/ strong torch for seeing animals at night, scats identification book, bird and plant identification books

Camping with High School teensMy teens are 15 years old. The last few years have changed yet again the way we do camping. We need so much gear now – it is crazy! We usually have 2 kayaks, 4 mountains bikes, camper trailer, the teen’s tents, many electronic devices, maps, plus oodles & oodles of food.

I am very grateful that they want and like coming camping still. We have done very short walking camping trips. Hopefully there will be more to come?

My TIP for camping with high school teens: get them their own small tent, they need to retreat out of the adult world. Involve them in the planning of activities it helps get them engaged.

My tips for camping with any age children:Pack a first aid kit – and know how to use it! we have used

ours many timesWhen the kids are happy the adults are happy – focus on them first, schedule on and off duty time with the adults in the groupMy #1 rule for camping, never allow yourself (or your kids) to get cold. Put beanie or extra layer on before dark. Very hard to get warm once cold when campingMy #2 rule for camping, never allow yourself (or your kids) to get sunburnt. Pain puts a downer on the trip plus sleeping with sunburn in a tent is not funHave extra stashes of sunscreen, insect repellent, stingoes, lip balm and hatsHydration (no I’m not talking about beers!!) is important, kids swimming, running around forget to drink. Offer water or oranges oftenTake the time to play with your kids. It really is so much fun to build sand castles, make a bush cubby, have hand stand competitions, collect shells, create a dirt picture, climb trees, play cricket.

Happy Family Camping – you will be creating wonderful family memories.

Written by Kathy, mum to Rowan & Jarrah and partner to Greg.

Favourite campsite – Dunns Swamp, National Park near Mudgee NSW.

as your kids grow

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Holidays

A camping holiday is jam-packed full of learning experiences for children and teenagers. It’s the perfect opportunity them to disconnect from their electronic devices, reconnect with their families and discover nature.

The lessons of camping run a bit deeper on North Stradbroke Island, where the traditional owners of the island, the Quandamooka people, extend a touch of Aboriginal hospitality to all campers.

Stradbroke Island Camping

Each school holidays, Straddie Camping runs a series of Aboriginal Cultural workshops and Sand Art activities for families. Participants get an insight into Aboriginal history and traditions, and get to create their own Aboriginal sand art on the beach.

Another favourite activity is to watch the wild dolphins frolic in the calm waters in front of Amity Point Camping Ground each day at dawn and dusk. In the past, the Quandamooka men would slap the water to call the dolphins in to shore. The dolphins in turn, would herd shoals of fish to the shallows, which the men would catch with nets. Once the men had enough fish for the tribe, they would feed the remaining fish back to the dolphins.

The second largest sand island in the world, North Stradbroke Island’s sand hills provide the perfect place for kids and the young at heart to experience the adrenalin rush of sand boarding. Straddie Kingfisher Tours runs two sand-boarding sessions a day, starting on the smaller slopes to master the boarding technique, before building up to the steeper and faster slopes.

A great way to keep the kids entertained while camping is a Scavenger Hunt, and campground staff can help with ideas for lists of things for the kids to collect in and around the campgrounds and the beaches. Other activities for families include land-based whale watching (from June to October), surfing, diving, snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, and bushwalking.

The Island has six township camping grounds with a choice of powered and unpowered campsites for tents, camper-trailers and caravans, as well as fully-equipped cabins, The shady and protected

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camping grounds all feature facilities like camp kitchens, modern amenity blocks, laundries, and have direct access to the beach.

More experienced campers may prefer the choice of two beachfront foreshore camping areas. For the ultimate in bush camping, there are 500 campsites, accessible by 4WD along the Island’s beaches, and you can even bring along your dog as long as you keep it on a leash.

Getting to North Stradbroke Island is easy with vehicle ferries and water taxis departing hourly from Cleveland on the mainland, 30 minutes south of Brisbane.

Find out more at www.straddiecamping.com.au

The Quandamooka people have called Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) home for more than 40,000 years. Long before European settlement, Aborigines would meet on Minjerribah to share and exchange food, shells cultures, stories, knowledge, trade, dance, perform initiations and participate in other traditional activities.

The pilgrimage of ancient Aboriginal times, is similar to people coming together today to camp on Minjerribah. A StraddieCamping holiday is about sharing; sharing experiences, cooking over a campfire, making new friendships, fishing, swimming, being close to nature and coming together as a family.

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Holidays

Beach Low Sling ChairLightweight and compact for easy storage, this bright and colourful beach chair is the perfect summer accessory! The low to the ground design allows you to stretch out your legs, together with the mesh back, cup holder and sturdy frame mean it’s the ultimate in comfort.RRP $49.99

new camping products

CPX6 Triago LanternThe Triago has three removable panels which can be detached whilst still burning. This means if the kids are going for a walk to the bathroom etc. they can take part of the bright 450 lu-men lantern with them, whilst still leaving light for the main camp. The lantern base continues to work without the three panels, which charge when attached to the main lantern. Great for a large family!RRP $139.99. Available from November.Available from 28th November in all good camping stores

Kathmandu LuminAIDNever again be left in the dark! This solar-powered, inflatable light packs flat and inflates to create a lightweight, waterproof lantern. Tuck it away in your first-aid kit or attach it to your backpack on your next expedition.

Provides up to 12 hours of LED light and recharges in approxi-mately 7 hours of direct sunlight.RRP $39.98

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Holidays

Cool Camping Gadgets

Muurikka Electric Smoking OvenPeople love the flavour of smoked food and the health benefits of no-fat cooking - just plug it in and it does the rest. Not only does it smoke, it also roasts and grills (without the wood chips). RRP $249 www.muuri.com.au

GAIA Skin & Body Collection This handy zipped pack with cord pull includes 5 x 50 ml bottles of the key GAIA SKIN + BODY products, created especially for the sensitive skin care requirements of women. RRP$22.95

Coleman 4-in-1 Sleeping Bag Versatile and warm, this cozy sleeping bag can be used either as two separate sleeping bags, two blankets, or a deluxe double sleeping bag. RRP $119.99Check ColemanAustralia.com.au for stockists

KLOP is a dangerously addictive game that the whole family can play. All you need is a knack for some block rocking feats an ability to fling the chuck and send the pegs flying. The KLOP set includes 12 numbered pins, a chuck and a rule and scoring book. RRP: $59.95Stockist: https://klop.com.au

UnidenhandheldcamouflagedUHFWalkie TalkiesThis tough walkie talkies are ideal for camping, hiking and kids! $59.95

SS Travel Cutlery Set in CaseQuality stainless steel 3 piece cutlery set (spoon, fork & knife/chopsticks) in neoprene pouch.

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Holidays

Travelling is all about experiencing new things and creating memories that will last for a lifetime. It is about finding happiness and re-defining what's important in life. It is about freedom and finding your own self. There is no better company for that than your own beloved family and there is no better time than right NOW. If you've dreamed about the open road for a while, maybe the time is now to start planning and executing it.

First of all, make sure this is what you want. Make sure you are ready to drive long hours, walk long distance, take up different jobs to support yourself and make sure you are ready to let go. To let go of your home and most of your belongings. You need to be sure you can live in a small space like camper, tent, or hostel rooms. But if you've always wanted to de-clutter your home, life and mind this is one way to go about it. You'll definitely free some space for unforgettable moments and memories.

Essential Advice For Full-Time Travelling With Kids:• First and most importantly be open to sudden changes in plans. Not everything will go as planned, but

sometimes the best things are those that take us by surprise.• Living in a camper, or an RV is not easy on your children, so before you hit the road have your kids in a

really good routine.• Think about education and home-schooling if your kids are supposed to go to school.• Juggling between home-schooling, sight-seeing, cooking and driving is exhausting and might take all your

time. You need to think how you will keep your juices flowing financially. There are a few ways to do that:- Online work - writing, app development, freelancing, photography etc. - In person - some families stop and settle for a few months at a single spot, take up jobs in person, utilize their talents and save some money to hit the road again. - Renting your home - you could rent your home and live off the monthly rent. Alternatively, you can sell it and invest in your travelling venture. This isn't the best long-term solution, but it is one many families opt for to make their dreams come true.

• Keep your kids entertained during long-drives by playing various games such as holding breath over bridges and scoring on animals you see on the road.

• Get some camping equipment. It is always a good idea to change the scenery, step out of the RV and sleep in a tent some place beautiful. When you buy camping equipment always think about the different items your kids might need, like special sleeping bags, lights, toys etc.

if you are on the verge of making this choice, be sure to remember you are not alone in this. In fact, most long-term travelling couples, travel with their kids (49%), as young as 12 months old. If everything goes well, you will cringe at the thought of ever coming back. Writen by Lana Jane Fox

Life on The Road

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Thanks to our friends at Coleman, we can reveal the Top 3 Ultimate Camping Destinations according to camping enthusiasts and Coleman® Customers

There’s nothing better than spending time with your family in the great outdoors and making long lasting memories. In Australia we are absolutely spoiled for choice when it comes to campsites.

To help you decide where to treat your family to the ultimate camping experience this summer, leading camping brand Coleman® have compiled their customer’s favourite spots.

1. The Murray RiverAccording to a recent nationwide survey, the number one camping destination amongst Coleman® customers was along the Murray River. Running along the Victoria/New South Wales border and into South Australia, the Murray plays host to several picturesque camping spots. Our top spot:Gunbower Island

If your family is up for a bit of adventure, Gunbower Island is perfect for you. Just five minutes from the town of Koondrook, located in Gunbower National Park are three free camping locations and hundreds of serene bush-camping sites covered in stunning River Red Gum Trees.

Get the family bonding over some water activities like canoeing, stand up paddle boarding, fishing, water skiing or simply spend the day out on the boat. To grab your own gear, check out the Sevylor® range.

Insider tip: To best enjoy the beautiful water surroundings, it’s best to head here during the warmer months. If you’re planning to bring along the family dog for some fun in the sun, call ahead to check as only some of the campsites allow animals.

2. Fraser IslandComing second in Coleman customers’ favourite camping spots was the stunning, World Heritage Listed Fraser Island 300km north of Brisbane within the Great Sandy National Park. If you’re looking to really spoil the family check out Cathedral Camping Ground. The only private, fenced grounds on the island set in a lush, shady natural environment will provide the perfect setting for your next family adventure.

Spending time on the beach, whale watching, bush walks, freshwater swimming and four wheel driving are just some of the delights your family will experience on this beautiful island. Your kids will love exploring the Maheno Shipwreck on Fraser’s eastern beach.

Insider tip: Fraser Island is a World Heritage Listed Site, so you will need to purchase a vehicle access permit, and don’t forget to leave everything just as you found it!

Holidays Top 3 Ultimate

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Camping Destinations3. Barrington TopsJust four hours north of Sydney lies the stunning Barrington Tops, and third choice of favourite camping sites. There are a number of different sites across this majestic area; however our pick would be breathtaking Ferndale Park. Nestled in the foothills of Barrington Tops, this relaxing forest setting, offset by the Chichester River provides a picturesque setting for a family escape.

On offer at Barrington Tops is a mix of exciting adventures; mountain bike riding, kayaking and horse riding, and unwinding relaxing activities; exploring the ancient rainforests, charming villages and taking in the breathtaking surrounds.This summer pack the kids and the car and make some memories outdoors!

ensure you haven’t forgotten anything bydownloading our Packing Checklists!

Holidays

Win a Family Holiday

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Holidays

Holiday Parks Reviewed

BIG4 Dubbo Parklands: Dubbo NSWLocated 5 minutes from Taronga Western Plains Zoo is the BIG4 Dubbo Parklands. It offers an ideal spot for families looking to holiday in Dubbo by offering a family friendly park with facilities catering for all needs. Those seeking comfort can do so with a lodge, while those looking to ‘glamp’ can get their own private ensuite next to your camping site and the families looking for a great camping holiday can choose from either powered and unpowered sites.

With the children so interested in the facilities and the zoo so close to where we were staying we had no need to go out searching for fun. It gave mum and dad the opportunity to relax and simply enjoy the holiday.

Happy Hallidays, Hallidays Point, Northern NSWLocated just under 3.5 hours from Sydney on the Northern coast of NSW, Happy Hallidays is a fun family camping destination. With two pools, a train, a mini putt putt course and loads of spare room to kick a ball, ride or run around; the camping facility offers a great venue where parents can kick back and relax while their children enjoy the park and the facilities.

Happy Hallidays offers camping accommodation with both powered sites and cabin accommodation catering for families big and small. The cabins act as self-contained apartments and range in size and luxury to cater for all budgets and family sizes. The camping spots are a fantastic size with large spots giving more space for campers or camper trailers.

Click on the location to see the review

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HolidaysOcean Beach Holiday Park – Umina, Central Coast NSWLocated in Umina, only 1 hour from Sydney, Ocean Beach Holiday Park is a wonderful family campsite close enough to Sydney that a weekend break is feasible while a longer family holiday is enjoyable in a venue with so many great features, children of all ages will have fun.

There is a large heated outdoor pool with a water slide. The kids were in heaven sliding over and over again. There is also a toddlers pool and warm spa. They have recently added a new Waterpark (separate to the Pool) which is fantastic and has water shooting from spouts & nozzles, dropping and splashing everywhere.

The beach is only a quick (and short) walk from the resort with multiple access points and there is also a lagoon area for the littlies.

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New Orleans Barbeque Prawns

Prep time: 10 minutes (+2 hours chill)Cook time: 35 minutesServes 4

Ingredients: 1kg raw prawns, peeled and deveined 100g butter, melted4 cloves garlic, crushed6 tbsp olive oil4 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 4 tbsp lemon juice½ tsp McCormick Chilli Flakes¼ cup McCormick Grill Mates Vintage Smokehouse BBQ Sauce2 tsp McCormick Smoked Paprika2 tsp McCormick Dried OreganoMcCormick Sea Salt and Black peppercorns, ground

Method:

1. Melt butter and oil in a medium saucepan with the garlic.

2. Add all other ingredients and simmer on a low- medium heat for 10-15 minutes. Allow to cool.

3. Add prawns to sauce, and marinate for a couple of hours in fridge.

4. Preheat oven 180 °C 5. Place prawns & sauce in a heat proof oven dish

and bake for 15-20 mins.6. Serve with crusty bread.

Gluten Free - Chilli Con Carne (serves 20)Ingredients• 1kg Tilda Basmati Rice• 2.5kg lean beef mince or lean

lamb mince, coarsely ground• 4tbsp sunflower oil• 3 large onions, sliced , sliced• 6 garlic cloves , crushed• 5 large red chillies , fresh , de-

seeded and sliced• 1 tbsp chilli powder• 3 tbsp ground coriander• 2 tbsp dried oregano• 1.6kg tomatoes , canned,

chopped• 100g tomato puree• 600g red kidney beans , canned,

drained• salt and pepper , to season• 30g sour cream, to serve• fresh coriander , to garnish

Directions1. Heat a large frying, then brown the mince in half of

the oil until it is separate and crumbly, then remove from the pan.

2. To the meat juices add the remaining oil and fry the onions, garlic and chillies. Stir in the spices and oregano and cook for 1-2 minutes.

3. Add the mince back into the pan with the chopped tomatoes and tomato puree, bring to the boil, then partly cover and simmer for 10 minutes.

4. Meanwhile cook the Basmati rice according to pack instructions.

5. Add the kidney beans to the mince and cook for a further 5 minutes

6. Season to taste and serve on top of the rice with sour cream and coriander to garnish.

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Kids Campsite ChickenThis recipe is perfect to prepare before you leave home, for a quick, hassle-free meal at the campsite that the kids will love!

INGREDIENTS• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts• 1/4 cup peanut butter• 1 tablespoon honey• 2 tablespoons soy sauce• 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder• 1 tablespoon tomato sauce• Salt and pepper, to taste

INSTRUCTIONSBefore you leave home, cut the chicken into 2cm cubes. Wrap the cubes in a packet of heavy-duty foil and freeze. Just before leaving for your trip, loosely wrap the frozen packet in a second layer of foil. The chicken will keep for 24-36 hours.When you’re ready to cook, combine all ingredients (breaking up the frozen chicken as needed) in a frying pan set over a medium campfire. Cook for roughly 20 minutes, stirring often, until the chicken is cooked through. Serve with your choice of rice, couscous or quinoa and enjoy!

Yoghurt, Cucumber and Dill Dip

Inspired by the mother country’s famous cucumber sandwiches, you’ll be chuffed to pair Tyrrells Lightly Sea Salted Crisps with a scrumptious touch of Yoghurt, Cucumber and Dill Dip.

Simply mix in some plain yoghurt, grated cucumber, a touch of salt, chopped dill a clove of garlic and freshen it up with some lemon juice and finish with a dollop of sour cream.

It’s nothing but easy peasy!

Guacamole

When you fancy a holiday you won’t have to go far to experience a break when you pair Tyrrells Sea Salt and Cider Vinegar and fresh Guacamole. To make up this grub, mash together a couple of ripe avocados, a handful of finely chopped red onion a spot of fresh lime juice and one ripened tomato.

And you’re on your merry way!

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The thought of sitting down and planning your way out of the daily ‘what’s for dinner?’ dilemma can seem daunting, but with a few tips and setting yourself a commitment to do, you can actually save not only the ground hog day drama but money and valuable time to spend where you really want to be.

Break it down into a few sections and plan for success;• Plan to sit once or twice a week and

commit yourself to that time. Initially it will take a while, which will reduce as you gain experience

• Have a collection of magazines on hand to scout for recipes

• Google recipes you know you like and print off (even if you cook by feel, this will be handy when collating a shopping list)

• Check catalogues for specials before deciding what to prepare

• Create a shopping list by adding the ingredients and quantities down as you decide on a recipe

• Look for similar meals to minimise wastage of using for one meal

• Ask your family what they would like to eat, why wear the burden alone?. Even young children appreciate and respond to being asked, and are more likely to eat without (so much) fuss.

Shopping Habits;What are your desired shopping habits, once weekly, twice for F&V top up? When can you get to the shop? Online shopping; its more costly but the time saved is incredible, can you walk to the shops during lunch? Recipe collections;Develop a recipe storage system that is attractive to you and use it, making it as simple or detailed as you like to be

• Tags on magazines• Scrap book• Hand written collection• Computer applications• Rip out pages

• Online pages; pintrest/facebook/smart phone apps Bulking up the freezer;• Double up and plan to have leftovers; soup,

casseroles, fried rice, etc and use them for lunches or nights when there is no time

• Marinate and freeze meats, or just marinade• 500g of dry rice cooked can serve 8-10 and

freezes well. Cook in bulk for another time.• Always have a can of baked beans, spaghetti,

or other go to meal, they can be a good source of quality nutrients as a last resort.

Know your obstacles;• What events are going to get you home late?• Is there any family sports/rehearsals/

appointments that are regular times• Is there a regular meeting which holds you

up?• Are you a confident cook?

Establish strategies;• A routine family favorite dinner such as

homemade pizza, eggs on toast- that leave only six nights to plan for

• Request a meeting time change, phone conference

• Don’t try elaborate recipes after work• Prep some components the night before;

chop the onion and garlic

Mostly though, enjoy your time eating quality over quantity with your beautiful family, the preparation time soon fades from memory as the family time enjoyment grows. Article From: A Method of Cookery is the love child of Penni Lamprey, a mum to three young babes and wife to an amazingly supportive husband and is also a qualified Chef and Food & Wellness Coach with a simple message; a well nourish body wants to move and thinks with clarity. Cooking from scratch can offer that nourishment.

Family Friendly Meal PlanningFood

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Tuna, Lime & Chili Quinoa Salad

A wonderfully fresh, nutritious and delightful salad to remind you summer is coming!. You could use buckwheat or soba noodles too, and any leftovers are great for lunchboxes

Number of Serves: 2Serve Weight: 367g

Ingredients200g of Quinoa½ a small Zucchini¼ of whole a Bitter Free Cucumber1-2 Spring Onions1 handful of Spinach8 Cherry Tomatoes1 small can of Tuna1 Fresh LimeFresh Coriander to serve

Method1. Bring a large pot of water to the

boil and cook the washed quinoa according to the instructions and drain well

2. To prepare the salad, grate the zucchini and cucumber into a bowl and add the spinach and tomatoes, halving if required

3. Finely slice the spring onions, adding

4. Add the cooled quinoa, chili and tuna (I use canned tuna marinated in chili oil)

5. Zest the lime over, juicing half 6. Gentle toss through to mix7. Serve with fresh coriander and a

lime wedge.

Food

Beef Curry

Number of Serves: 10Serve Weight: 291g

Ingredients1.5 kg of Casserole Beef1 large Onion2 Serve of Basic Curry Paste (or 2-3 Tb of Curry powder/paste of choice)3 tb Oil 400g of Crushed Tomato500g of Potato200g Carrot1 sachet of Powdered Coconut Milk (AYAM brand is fabulous), or 150ml of coconut cream

Method1. Trim the beef of visible fat and sinew into 3-4cm

chunks2. In a large and heavy based pan, heat half of the oil to

a medium heat3. While heating the oil, slice the onion into half moon

circles and then sauté till soft but not brown, removing from the pan once done

4. Increase your heat and add a little of the remaining oil5. Add a quarter of the prepared beef and brown well,

setting aside with the onion and continuing with the remaining beef and oil

6. Return all of the browned beef and onion to the pan7. Add the curry paste and cook till aromatic, stirring to

avoid burning on the base8. Add the crushed tomatoes and half a cup of water9. Stir well to reduce the sediment on the bottom of the

pan10. Bring the beef mix to a gentle simmer and cover with

a tight fitting lid11. Braise for 2 hours till the meat is just becoming tender12. Dice the potatoes and carrots into large chunks,

adding to the curry, along with the coconut cream 13. Simmer the meat and vegetables for a further hour till

soft14. Serve with steamed brown rice and pappadams

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Healthy, versatile cooking, made easy with the

Panasonic Steam Combi Microwave

Food

Panasonic’s NN-DS592B offers a steam, double grill and microwave in one. It’s the perfect compact kitchen appliance for those who want to cook a variety of healthy foods quickly and easily.

This Steam Combi 27L microwave offers an innovative steam function that maintains flavour, moisture and nutrients for healthy, tasty food; and a double grill tray that roasts and bakes like a conventional oven. Using the appropriate tray or rack (bundled with the microwave), you can cook a wider variety of foods including roasts, sponge puddings and pizza.

Panasonic’s Inverter Technology uses modulated power to ensure your food is cooked evenly every time. The Microwave also features Flatbed Technology, eliminating the turntable to allow more room in the microwave for larger dishes, and making it easier to clean. This 27 litre microwave has a cooking area equivalent to a conventional 44L turntable model.

In addition, automatic pre-programmed cooking modes make preparing perfectly cooked food even simpler – including 22 Auto Menus, sensor reheat, steam reheat and steam defrost.

The NN-DS592B is a must-have addition to any modern kitchen, offering cooking versatility with a spacious interior and stylish finish. It offers an easy to use dial and button control with an LCD display, half-mirror glass and black piano finish.

The Panasonic NN-DS592B Steam Combi microwave oven is available now from leading consumer electronics retailers priced at RRP $769.

For more information and local stockist details, contact Panasonic on 132 600 or visit www.panasonic.com.au

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Holidays

Reviewed

The Tupperware UltraPro 3.3 Litre Rectangle is the all-rounder family member. Stylish, minimalist and versatile Designed for use in the microwave, oven, fridge and freezer. RRP $160Available: Your Tupperware Rep or online

Panasonic SD2501 Bread MakerEveryone loves the smell of fresh bread, especially first thing in the morning! RRP: $249 More Info: www.panasonic.com.au

Breville Quick Touch Microwave Uber stylish, very intuitive and oh so simple to use, this microwave takes the thinking out of defrosting, reheating and cooking.RRP: $399 More Info: www.breville.com.au

Once a Month Cooking - Jody AllenA collection of recipes to freeze and reheat/finish when required and served with minimal effort and time.RRP: $24.95Available from: Bookworld

Reviews on:

Solutions for Busy Mums

See the product in action

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Reading Material

Parents naturally love and care for their children, but parenting requires more than just love. Informed parenting requires knowledge and understanding of the changing physical, emotional, psychological and intellectual development of our children as they grow. Inspired Children helps turn the science of child development into the art of parenting.

Contributors to this book are some of the world leaders in areas of generics, neuroscience, personal development and psychology. Each expert author discusses the latest research on child development including preconception, pregnancy, babies and right through to teen years. RRP: $6.50 ebook - From $17 for printed books

Toddler Owner’s Manual’ book

An ‘operating guide’ for fathers, the Toddler Owner's Manual is sure to bring a smile to any dad facing the challenge of raising a toddler. Written by best-selling author and comedian Steve Bedwell (Baby Owner’s Manual, Naughty Number Plates), the book likens a toddler to the other love in a man's life - his car!

Rockpool Publishing, $19.99

Hurrah! Hurray! I’m on holiday! (93 words)This is a book about childhood and play. This is a simple story exploring leisure activities, work, play and school holidays.Great book for the beginning reader, it teaches Phonics, Vocabulary, Verbs, Nouns and sentence makingRRP: $13.95 Available from MumsDelivery Market and Redrondavel.com

Click Clack Moo - Cows that TypeFarmer Brown has a problem. His cows like to type. All day long he hears Click, clack, MOO.Click, clack, MOO. Clickety, clack, MOO.But Farmer Brown's problems REALLY begin when his cows start leaving him notes....RRP: $22.81 Available from: Storymama.com.au

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Gear up for some motoring madness as the world’s number one vehicle brand, Hot Wheels®, releases its first feature length movie. Not your average CARtoon, Team Hot Wheels®: The Origin of Awesome! combines the action-packed speed and stunts of Hot Wheels with the humour of Phineas and Ferb. Buckle up as four lucky boys push the pedal to the metal, face monster-sized problems, learn teamwork, and speed to save their city!

Release date: 15th September$29.95

Barbie™ and the Secret Door has Barbie™ starring as Alexa, a shy princess, who discovers a mysterious secret door leading to a whimsical land devastated by the spoiled ruler, Malucia. In this world Alexa is gifted with magical powers, in which she must use to stop the evil ruler!

Release date: 18 September$29.95

Click here to win one of these awesome

DVDs

Giggle and Hoot: Best EverFinally a collection of all your favourite songs and adventures from Jimmy Giggle, Hoot and Hootabelle. Plus for the first time on DVD The Legend of Pirate Hootbeard Special!Available: 24 September.RRP: 19.99

Mister Maker: Around the World - Let’s go Mini Makers! Mister Maker takes his brilliant artistic talents around the globe to help mini-makers with arty challenges in Australia and all over the world. He packs up his Travelling Make Case with everything he might need and sets off on his travels to have a go at art and get making. Includes 5 episodes full of magnificent makes! RRP: $14.95Available now

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Budgeting

Back in my university days, I held down several part time jobs. At one point I worked in the deli at Coles, and Bunnings Warehouse at the same time. Moving from one to the other was like transi-tioning from one galaxy to another.

The customers at Bunnings were polite and happy, excited about their upcoming DIY projects. The customers at Coles were unhappy and frequently impolite, annoyed at having to spend their hard earned cash on groceries. Now I’m a mum I understand why.

In my house, the annual cost of groceries is second in line to our mortgage repayments. According to the 2011 ABS census, in 2009-10, the cost of food and drink for the average Australian family with young children made up 15.1% of the total household expenses.

So, the question is, what can you do to get some control over the cost of your groceries? You need to budget! The first thing you need to do is go through your bank statements and calculate what you are currently spending at the supermarket. Warning - you may be horrified at the results. I fre-quently come across people who have no idea what they spend at the supermarket because they make multiple trips and lose track.

Once you have calculated what you are currently spending, try implementing the following chang-es:Plan your menu:• Check the fridge and freezer for anything you have that needs to be used and incorporate them

into your meal plan early in the week.• Check the weather and plan your meals to it.• Create a storage facility for your recipes. I have a folder in my kitchen I look in when I’m stuck

for ideas.• Research regularly for new recipe ideas. If you google “budget recipes”, there are lots of ideas

online.

Write a list:• Write a detailed list from your menu plan, checking for any ingredients you may already have.• Spend 10 minutes taking an inventory of any other household items you may need like wash-

ing powder, soap etc.

Other tips for saving at the till:• Cook in bulk. In my house I cook Monday and Tuesday, and we eat the leftovers Wednesday

and Thursday. This not only saves money, but also time!• Be flexible when you are in the shops and be open to substituting different ingredients. For

Reducing your

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BudgetingGrocery Budgetexample if you planned to make steamed broccoli but the cauliflower is on sale, use the cauli-flower!

• If you can, shop around for specials. Personally with 3 kids at home I just don’t have time to do this.

• Consider trying cheaper varieties. Being a brand snob will cost you more!• Be open to trying discount supermarkets. I recently wrote an article comparing the cost of

Coles home brand products to Aldi products and found the average family of four can save around $1,200 a year by shopping in Aldi.

• Shop for the week and do not go back! The more trips to the supermarket you take, the more money you will spend. This can only be achieved with detailed planning so make sure that shopping list is spot on.

• When at the supermarket, stick to the list. Resist the urge to make impulse purchases.• Do not take cash out at the register. Use an ATM for cash withdrawals so at the end of the

month you can clearly see what you have spent.• I love the online Aldi shopping list tool . It enables you to plan your shop and price it up. (Ex-

cluding fruit and vegetables.) It’s terrific because it minimises register shock.

Try this for a month, then go through your bank statements and tally up what you have spent and compare it to what you were spending previously. I found by making these changes I was able to save $250 a month! That’s $3,000 a year!

This exercise isn’t about being as frugal as possible, it’s about finding a level where you are com-fortable and your family is happy. By the end of the month, you will see how much you can save by planning your shop, and you will have an idea about what you are willing to compromise on. Then you can set your grocery budget.

Tips on setting your budget:• Your budget needs to tie in with how often you shop. For example, I have a weekly budget and

I shop once a week.• Your budget needs to be realistic and achievable. If it’s going to make you miserable you won’t

stick to it.• How to monitor your budget:• You need to track your budget. This means going through your bank statements monthly and

seeing how you have performed against your budget. • Remember a budget is like a diet. If you overspend, put it behind you and start against the next

day fresh. Get back on that horse!

Having a budget isn’t about being tight or boring. It’s about being the boss of your money and making your money work for you! With the additional money I have managed to save by grocery budgeting, I have been able to make extra repayments on my mortgage! What will you do with your extra cash?

Happy budgeting!Leanne My name is Leanne and I’m the founder of Budget My Coin. I am a fully qualified CPA and live in Melbourne with my three daughters and husband.Currently I’m a stay at home mum, but in my previous work life I’ve held numerous finance positions in multinational companies both in the UK and Australia. I’ve also had experience working in professional services on small business and personal taxation affairs.

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Say WHAT?????Controversial Corner

To submit a topic, ask a question or get involved, email us:

info@mumsdelivery.com.au (we can keep it anonymous) or click here to comment

Controversial Corner is a place for any topic -no matter what

New Mums Branded “Fat And Lazy” By Fitness Expert.

Having a baby is no excuse for being overweight and unhealthy. That is the hard-line message of passionate personal fitness trainer Allan Trinh who is on a mission to rid the world of lazy mums.

“I hear this excuse all the time – ‘I have had no sleep and I’m too tired for exercise’ or the cry ‘forget that healthy diet, I don’t have time’. Another one is ‘my kids are my workout’.” But this is not an excuse, young mums, for letting yourself go,

Allan’s company has teams of trainers in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, who will visit new mums in their own homes – among clients of all ages - and bring all the exercise they need for a complete workout in their own living room, if necessary.

“How often do you see mums who are overweight with their kids these days?” asks Allan, who is passionate about his message. He wants mums to eat healthily, shed the excess flab, and set an example to their kids.

Yes, he agrees, pregnancy does “crazy things” to a woman’s body, but with the help of Allan and Personal Training Direct, he has seen women transform themselves from lazy, overweight coach potatoes with no confidence into looking toned, fit and fantastic.

“Lazy new mums – get off the couch and start exercising!”My thoughts: Fat and Lazy? Fat and Lazy? I repeat the words because they make me so mad. Spoken by a male who I question would know the realities of being a mum juggling: life, work, children, husbands, housework and more. Lazy I am not! Up at 6, I am making lunches, breakfast, working and getting ready to leave the house by 9. Followed by more work or looking after children’s needs, then making lunch, picking up children, grocery shopping, errands, housework, followed by homework, bathtime and after dinner - stories. By 8pm when all the kids are asleep I logon to the computer to continue working. I don’t have time to read a book or to take even 5 minutes for myself. I would like to exercise and be fitter - I would also like to just stop & enjoy my children and life too. I like that he offers a mobile service and think that mobile services are so important in helping fit into a busy mums schedule. I agree with his comments about setting a good example for your children and think that helping educate mums on how to fit exercise into a busy routine is important but calling a mum lazy? Well that’s just too far!

Get INVOLVED - Join the Conversation here

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Interesting Tips

Cleaning Tip: Cover Red Wine Spills with thick layer of Salt to stop

it spreading & draw the wine out of the carpet. Vaccum

it all up and then clean with carpet cleaner

Gardening Tip:Rubbing your hands on a bar of soap will stop dirt getting trapped under your nails.

Need to paint a room, but hate the noxious fumes? Add two teaspoons of pure vanilla extract to a gallon of (water based) paint. It neutralizes

the odor

Squeeky doors? A little bit of Silicone WD40 on the

hinges will stop the problem

Got a great tip for us? Send it to us and you

could win in our community competition

Marketplace- The Market that delivers to you!/ market

www.mumsdelivery.com.au/market

Marketplace for

Mums Car Beds & Bunks

Toys

Fashion & Maternity

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1. Take care of yourself. Remember you cant give from an empty (or broken!) cup. So don't let mummy guilt hold you back. Take snippets of time for yourself throughout the day to get moving more. Here’s how...!

2. Dress the part- If you're already wearing your workout gear you're ready to be more active with your kids or at least bust out a few squats or lunges!

3. Find a few JUICY exercises you like/need to do and THEN do them everyday. Like; plank on hands and knees (lift your knees and hold), squats (keep your knees behind toes!), swimmer (lie on your tummy and reach arms/legs long and swim like Scuba Steve)!

4. Stand up tall, shoulders back, tummy gently drawn in and guess what... you’re doing Pilates all day. You're posture will look hot and you are actually exercising as you do it!!

5. Pelvic floor - Can’t “squeeze in” your daily recommended pelvic floor exercise? How about you do one or 2; after every bathroom break, at the stop lights, when you change a nappy. It’s a muscle that gets wimpy and out of shape just like all the rest so work it baby! 10 reps x 10 seconds a day keeps the gyne away.!

6. Find a friend. Instead of meeting your girlfriend or mother’s group for coffee, meet up for a walk date or exercise date. Kids will think you're playing when you start doing partner exercises like push-pull arms and high 5 jumps (Google some partner exercises and go for it!)!

7. Play with the kids. Don't always watch them have fun, get into it. I mean jump on the trampoline, do handstands against the fence, play chase, run races!

8. Don’t underestimate incidental exercise - take the stairs, dance with your kids, stroller walks for settling babies, walk don't drive, sitting up straight!

9. Rest for 10 minutes. Pffft! You say, when!? It’s a physio prescription ladies... I say at least

10 Top Tips for Busy Mums to Get Fit!

once a day, in the smack dab middle of the madness lie flat, yes LIE FLAT and put your feet up on the arm of the couch. It unloads a pooped pelvic floor, helps your circulation and it’s a great time for your muscles to recover. !

10. Take care of yourself! Yes it’s on here twice because I REALLY don't want you to forget it. I’m a mum and I know how we put ourselves last. So this list puts YOU FIRST and you last.

Please print me out for the fridge or the bathroom mirror and have a read everyday.

This is how real women just do it, in parts and pieces. A little each day. Love ya mum!!

Body Beyond Birth is a postnatal exercise program created by women’s health expert and physiotherapist Becky Dyer and supermum Jackie Steele. Visit bodybeyondbirth.com to check out their mum-friendly short and sharp online exercise program.

For Mum

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For Mum

Energy onthe Run

Energizer In Car & Wall ChargersGreat solution with a 2 in 1 offering. You can charge at home or while driving. The 1amp offers a full (not slow) charge and the charger is compatible with all micro usb phones. It comes with an impressive 2 year warranty. I found it great that both the car and home/office chargers have two USB points so that you can charge more than one device at a time. RRP: $34.95

Logitech Case + EnergyWhen you are running low on battery, simply swap to the charged Energy pack which can be used while out and about to quickly charge your phone up so you never miss a call. The Case + Energy battery pack is designed to pop in and off easily. RRP: $119.95. Suitable for iPhones

Go Travel Power Bank - 4400mAH This pocket sized mobile power supply offers a back up power supply for mobile phones and USB devices - perfect while on the go or on holiday. It offers a 2 hour smartphone recharge time. With 2 USB ports and a mini USB port you are able to power up a heap of goodies all at the same time.. I love that when you are charging the Power Bank the LED lights indicate progress and let you know when the charge is complete. It is useful that the Power Bank shows you the Power Level so that you know when to recharge. RRP: $55.95Available: www.ciaobellatravel.com.au

Today’s busy mum is always on the go. Childcare/School, flexible work conditions and more all contribute to our need for our mobile phones to remain charged and accessible at all times. The last thing a Mum wants to miss a call about; is from their child’s school or childcare. Yet with all the running around today, charging your phone at home or the office is not always possible; leading to our search for products to give you Energy on the Go. Below are some great options to keep your phone charged and ready for you whenever and wherever you are.

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The Loomatics’ Guide to the Rainbow LoomThis 204 page book contains step by step instructions on how to make over 50 rubber band bracelets on the Rainbow Loom. In addition to diagrams & photos, the guide uses QR codes that when scanned will take you directly to the Rainbow Loom YouTube channel. RRP $19.99. Available from all major Toy Retailers

Don’t have the time or means to go to the supermarket? Car broken down? Too busy taking care of the kids? Or simply can’t be bothered? Grocery Butler is at your service!Grocery Butler http://grocerybutler.com.au offers a convenient and fast, same-day grocery delivery service to households and businesses across Australia.

Griffiths Coffee is releasing a range of Just Fair coffee capsules. Suitable for Nespresso and machines with similar capsule sizes, the Just Fair coffee is made from 100 per cent Fairtrade and organically certified Arabica beans that are sourced from Honduras and Peru and roasted, blended and packed in Melbourne. Available mid October from Supermarkets

Brauer Baby & Child Teething Gel includes ingredients such as soothing Chamomile, which is traditionally used in homeopathic medicine to help temporarily relieve the pain, discomfort and irritability of teething. Baby & Child Teething may be used from birth. RRP $14.99 Available through selected pharmacies & online at brauer.com.au

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Spencil has created fantastic Fashion Stationery Gift Packs including Princess, Teddy, Horse, Robot, Trucks and more themes. The Spencil Gift Pack suit all kids, from preschoolers to high schoolers, and are priced from just $14.95-$19.95.Available from Spencil.com.au

The Miracle Minded product range was created to empower women, build their libidos, and provide energy, stamina and relaxation. The unique Cleopatra range includes a hot chocolate, aphrodisiac tea and a love potion, and are made from natural herbs and traditional ingredients. RRP: $24.95. Availabile: Miracle Minded website

The Cabbage Patch Kids are stepping out in style, with light up Sketchers Twinkle Toes shoes! Dressed in cute fashions, each Kid comes with a miniature replica of a real life pair of Sketchers Twinkle Toes sneakers or boots that light up and sparkle. RRP: $89.99 Available: Major Toy retailers

Get rid of your winter dry skin with Nature’s Care all new Paw Paw Balm and Lip Balm. Reformulated with a smoother texture to absorb easily and give an instant hydration hit. Made with real paw paw, this rich, nourishing skin care range will moisturise to provide relief from dryness. From $3.99. Available from Woolworths.

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Win, Win, Win!

To Celebrate the MumsDelivery Review of Aunty Rozzy® Nanna Carrots, we have the opportunity to give away two Book and CD packs! The Aunty Rozzy® series of book and Cd sets are so much fun!

Enter here

Win 1 of 5: Mister Maker Around the World: Let’s Go Mini Makers! DVDs

Mister Maker takes his brilliant artistic talents around the globe to help mini-makers with arty challenges in Australia and all over the world. He packs up his Travelling Make Case with everything he might need and sets off on his travels to have a go at art and get making. Enter here

Win an unlimited rides double pass to Luna Park Sydney!

To celebrate the upcoming Spring School Holidays, Luna Park Sydney is giving you the chance to win an unlimited rides double pass to Luna Park Sydney!

Parents can have a well earned break whilst kids enjoy their favourite Luna Park rides as well as the special extra attraction scheduled to appear for just the school holidays – the colossal labyrinth The Maze Runner Adventure – Live! Enter here

WIN an amazing family holiday with 2 FREE nights at an NRMA Holiday Park!

Prize valued at up to $666!

Are you in need of a holiday? The NRMA Holiday Parks have everything you need to relax in a stunning environment and enjoy the variety of great facilities for you and your whole family.