April/May 2014 - issue fourteen
Real mums share their stories, mother’s day gift guide, brunch recipes, easter craft and much more
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EDITOR’S LETTER
Cover image: Sienna Skies Photography www.siennaskiesphotography.com.au www.facebook.com/siennaskiesphotography
hi!
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his issue is brought to you courtesy of a baby who has grasped the concept of a daytime nap, a husband who doesn’t complain when his daughter is passed into his arms as soon as he walks through the door and a grandma who plans her week around my deadlines. What would I do without my beautiful family? As I approach my first Mother’s Day I am filled with so much love for my daughter. I cherish every moment I spend with her and marvel at every new skill she masters. I lie in bed listening to her talking to herself in the morning and could spend hours at night just watching her sleep. The rewards are endless and far outweigh the challenges. There is much time to spend with family over the next two months with both Easter and Mother’s Day. We have some fun Mother’s Day gift ideas (Pete if you are reading I love them all), craft ideas, recipes for breakfast in bed and much more. Until next issue, you can find us at www.kidmagazine.com.au for more of the things you love.
Sara
Editor and Chief Kid sara@kidmagazine.com.au kidmagazine.com.au
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Life through the lens of our Editor and Chief Kid, Sara. Join us at instagram.com/kidmagazineau
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INSIDE
Fashion 08 10 12 14
Fashion bites Five tips for starting baby’s wardrobe Autumn/winter 2014 trends for mums Autumn/winter 2014 trends for kids
Health & Beauty Health & beauty bites Choosing the right foundation for your skin tone Getting your body back after you’ve had kids The hydration equation
16 18 20 22
Fun 24 26 32 34 36 38 40 41 42
Fun bites Mother’s Day gift guide Craft - Mother’s Day Treat Bag My daughter changed my life Chasing dreams at sea Career mumma Egg-citing Easter gifts Craft - Bouncing Easter Bunnies Quickflix movie reviews
Food Food bites Spotlight on a gluten free diet Toosh Coosh giving kids a seat at the table Breakfast in bed recipes “Going organic” Egg-cellent Easter recipes
Home 64 66 70 72
Home bites Millias nursery Create a mummy sanctuary Where dreams are made
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44 46 50 52 56 58
Contributors
Jennifer Chandler (p 10)
Laura Zammit (p18)
Melanie McGrice (p20)
Rhonda Maxwell (p34)
Caylie Jeffery (p36)
Maria Bellissimo-Magrin (p38)
Simon Miraudo (p42)
Bianca C. Ross (p56)
Want to write for Kid Magazine? Email us for the details at editor@kidmagazine.com.au
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k iddie create simple imaginative fun
No more unnecessary spending on an entire box of chocolates!
Check us out at www.kiddiecreate.com.au
WIN Two PureBred breakfast prize packs valued at $318 each
to enter visit www.kidmagazine.com.au/win
Ten Milk Baby prize packs valued at $42 each
Two pairs of Cheeky Little Soles Cowboy Boots valued at $49.95 each
Three ‘Frozen’ DVDs valued at $39.95 each
Five Hydralyte movie ticket packs valued at $39 each
One of three De Lorenzo Mother’s Day gift sets valued at $49.95 each
Three Skylanders SWAP Force Starter Packs valued at $99.95 each
A Kiinde Starter Kit valued at $79.95
Five Flutterbye Surprise Butterfly DIaries valued at $19.99 each
A NEW Special K pamper pack valued at $250
Three ‘Planes’ DVDs valued at $39.95 each
Inspired by quality and traditional French childrenswear, Melbourne based Cou Cou Baby Boutique is one of the newest labels to launch onto the market. Featuring smock dresses, collared shirts, bloomers and overalls for kids aged 1-4 years, prices range from $45-60. Launched by Melbourne mums Amanda Gunnersen and Felicity Wilkins, the attention to detail is evident in the Cou Cou Baby classic designs. Available for purchase from www. coucoubaby.com.au. Custom orders also available from 3 months-8 years.
Concept clothing comp baby bibs as the initial re cotton, they are absorbe DNRF design is longer moments. Available i charming prints of DoN thing a little more patrio
If you are looking for classic boys clothing minus the skulls, skatie images and those pesky transfers, Just Jack is an online only clothing brand offering just that. Catering to boys sized 6 through to 12 in the Just Jack online store you will find a selection of quality t-shirts, shorts, pyjamas and windcheaters. Just Jack is all about easy-care classic styling and nice prices to match. Express shipping is available for those times you need a rain jacket for school camp or regular delivery is 2-5 days. Visit justjack.com.au to view the range and purchase. kidmagazine.com.au 8
fashion bites
pany, DoNotRemoveFrom, has launched its new range of elease of its kids clothing line. Made from 100% organic bent, lightweight and friendly for delicate baby skin. The and wider than ordinary bibs, to catch all those messy in classic white with pink or blue text, select from the NotRemoveFrom My Mum/Dad/Pop/Nanna. For someotic, opt for the DoNotRemoveFrom Australia/New Zealand prints. Available from donotremovefrom. com for $11.95 each.
It can be quite challenging to find affordable maternity and nursing basics, especially available in stores and not just online. Jeanswest have just launched a range of seamfree maternity and nursing basic tanks and nursing bras. Nursing camis and bras are priced at $34.99 and maternity tanks for $29.99. Visit www.jeanswest.com.au to purchase and for more information.
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Lyn’s Label baby items focus on comfort, natural and organic fibres, and a neutral colour palette. Lovingly designed by mother and daughter team, Lyn’s Label products are crafted to the highest standard. One of a kind designs, that are luxurious, practical, simple to use and easy to care for. Including a Chenille Baby Changing Mattress, Bamboo Jersey Baby Wraps and Reversible Nappy Change Bag the range is ideal as gifts for mums who need a bit of luxury. Available online at www.lynslabel.com.au.
Five tips for starting baby’s wardrobe
By Jennifer Chandler One of the parts of getting ready for a baby is setting up their wardrobe. But it can also be one of the hardest. How do you buy for someone you’ve never even met? How much stuff is too much? What special considerations do you need to make when dressing a little one?
To help make sense of the world of baby’s clothes we’ve compiled a list of the top five things to consider when starting your little one’s wardrobe.
1. Layering Choose clothes that are easy to layer so you can add to them or remove as the day’s temperature changes. Babies are unable to regulate their own body temperature so it’s important that they are kept warm… but not too warm! A general rule of thumb is to dress the baby in one extra layer to what you’re wearing. Much heat is lost through babies’ heads. So if the weather is cold, be sure to put a hat or bonnet on them to keep them warm when you’re outside. Please note; hats should be removed when you’re inside and babies should never sleep with one on as it is a SIDS risk.
3. Make it easy Some baby outfits look adorable but are they practical? When you’re into your sixth nappy change for they day you’ll be grateful you chose items with easy access to the bottom end. Some zippers and buttons will also press into baby’s skin so choose items that aren’t going to be tight. Easy care is important too. You’ll be amazed at how much washing a little baby can produce. Choose items that are easy to thrown in your every day wash. The last thing you’ll want to do is hand wash delicates.
2. Fabrics
4. Size
Choose natural fabrics like cotton and wool. Synthetics like polyester will irritate baby skin and trap their body heat, making them more prone to overheating. Natural fabrics will provide warmth while allowing the baby’s skin to breathe. Many great Australian designers, such as Anarkid Organic and Wilson & Frenchy are offering organic cotton suits printed with vegetable dyes, so you know there are no nasty toxins going on bub’s skin.
It’s always a big surprise to see how big or little your new one is. But remember, whatever size they’re born at, they will grow. Quickly! A few 0000 items are a good safe bet to start with. But it may only be a matter of weeks before they’re in 000. Have a few 000 on hand in case bub has a quick growth spurt. If you have a small or premmie baby then have a look at Pure Baby’s beautiful range of cotton growsuits.
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5. The essentials It’s the parenting version of “If you were stuck on a desert island.” If we had to choose only three items for our baby’s wardrobe, what would they be? The answer is surprisingly easy: Muslin wraps, Singlets and growsuits. Muslin wraps are the all time essential baby items. They can be used to wrap bub while they sleep, as a cover while you breastfeed or thrown over the pram to block out light as you walk. They’re also handy to wipe up any surprise messes. Singlets are one of the more flexible baby items and are great in any season. They’re an extra layer of warmth in Winter and on super hot Summer days, a singlet might be the only thing that baby needs to wear! Growsuits and onesies are great for nights, or even during the day during colder months. All in one pieces mean clothes don’t get tangled and baby doesn’t get cold as they move around in the night. Big W, Target and Bonds have great growsuits at affordable prices. If you’re unsure how many items to buy, assume you’ll go through at least two outfits a day at a minimum. You will quite possibly use three or four a day for your little one. As a starting point we recommend the following: 7 x singlets 5 x growsuits 5 x rompers or leggings 3 x shirts or bodysuits 3 x socks 2 x mittens 5 x muslin wraps
Anarkid, avaiable at www.oohbabybaby.com.au
From here you can add according to season and lifestyle. It won’t take long before you get a hang of how much mess your bub does/doesn’t make and how often you’re able to do the washing. And the joy of online shopping means that if you find yourself short, a new outfit for your little one is just a click away. Shopping at 3am never looked so good!
Jennifer is a sometimes Copywriter, sometimes children’s shop owner, always mother to two boys. Her aim in life is not to be an amazing Mum, just the best one she can. You can find her shop at www.oohbabybaby.com.au
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Autumn Winter 2014 Trends for mums Lets be honest, there are some trends that look fabulous on the runway but when it comes to a busy mum incorporating the look into her wardrobe it just doesn’t work. Between school pick ups, toddler wrangling, projectile vomiting and sticky fingers, mums need looks that can withstand their busy life but still look stylish. We have uncovered three trends for Autumn/Winter 2014 perfect for mums.
Shades of grey Grey is the new black. The look this season is to layer different shades of grey in different textures. Add classic winter tones in your accessories for a splash of colour. Think deep reds, navy and black. Classic and simple is best. Grey is a great wardrobe staple as you can throw it on without thinking too much about it and it can be dressed down for a trip to the shops or dressed up to head out for a romantic dinner.
Blazer $119.95 www.soonmaternity.com Bag $79.95 www.ninewest.com.au
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Dress $169.95 www.dianaferrari.com.au Shoes $149.95 www.clarks.com.au
Jacket $1470 world.maxmara.com/ Shoes $99.99 www.betts.com.au
Cape $94.95 www.birdsnest.com.au Earrings $110 www.thefamilyjewels.com.au
Prints and patterns Prints are perfect for mums as they are very good at hiding stains. With a print blouse or skirt it is less likely that your work colleagues will notice the vegemite stains you inadvertently walked out of the house with in the morning after the breakfast rush. Layer prints if you are brave or pair with block colours in matching tones.
Vest $69.95 www.birdsnest.com.au Bag $249.99 maryandmarieshop.com
Dress $179.95 www.queenbee.com.au Necklace $80 www.bluebungalow.com.au
Shirt $109.95 www.dianaferrari.com.au Shoes $169.95 www.ninewest.com.au
Jeans $53 au.nextdirect.com/en/ Shoes $50 Topshop
Midi skirts Hallelujah for midi skirts. This season midi is the way to go. The perfect length for mums to look and feel feminine without having to deal with a toddler hiding in a maxi skirt or risking flashing the supermarket in a shorter skirt while tearing a tantying tot from the lolly aisle. Midi skirts work equally well with knee length boots, classic flats or a pretty heel.
Skirt $79.22 www.asos.com/au/ Boots $229.95 www.clarks.com.au kidmagazine.com.au 13
Skirt $79 www.peainapod.com.au Shoes $119.95 www.ninewest.com.au
Skirt $63 au.nextdirect.com/en/ Necklace $75 www.elkaccessories.com.au
Skirt $80 au.nextdirect.com/en/ Jacket $179.95 www.sportscraft.com.au
Autumn Winter 2014 Trends for Kids Kids fashion is all about having fun and while trends do appear throughout the seasons there is more chance to dress up your kids to their unique personalities. If your kid wants to wear a tutu or superhero cape everyday of the week let them! Encourage kids to start dressing themselves – it might be a bit scary to start but it will help them develop their own style. Play with different trends and mix and match. Here are three fun trends the kids can start playing with this season.
Denim Denim is perfect for kids as it is so durable and can withstand whatever they throw at it. Double denim is a big trend for adults at the moment but it isn’t for everyone. If you aren’t game to try it, give it a go on the kids! Pair denim with cute headbands for the girls and sporty shoes for the boys to complete the look.
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1 Fred Bare Stretch Cotton Denim Pull On Jean, $39.95, bucketsandspades.com.au 2 Shrunk by Scotch and Soda Trucker Jacket, $134.95, bucketsandspades.com.au 3 Denim Letterman Jacket, from $43, au.nextdirect.com/en/ 4 Cheeky Little Soles Scooter Baby Shoes, $39.95, www.cheekylittlesoles.com.au 5 Soft Denim Dungarees, $42.99, www.pumpkinpatch.com.au 6 Heart Print Jeans, from $31, au.nextdirect.com/en/ 7 KaPow Kids ‘Indie’ Arrow Mint Headband, $14, www.etsy.com/au/shop/KaPowKids 8 Chambray Pant, $44.95, www.witchery.com.au
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Stripes Stripes are a really cute way to add some energy to your little ones wardrobe. Team stripes with spots, stars or anything in between. Anything goes with accessories – keep them fun and young! Avoid the jailbird look by steering away from all stripes. Leggings are big this season for both boys and girls so a stripe shirt with plain leggings or stripe leggings with a polka dot shirt is an easy kid-friendly look.
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1 Relaxed Legging in Stripe Print, $19.95, www.tinytribe.com.au 2 Tee with Zebra Print, $21.95, www.tinytribe.com. au 3 Ecru Cat Jumper Dress, from $28, au.nextdirect.com/en/ 4 Cheeky Little Soles Silver/Pink Cowboy Boots, $49.95, www.cheekylittlesoles.com.au 5 Boys Hero Mask Beanie, $19.99, www.pumpkinpatch.com.au 6 Reversible Hoodie, $56, www.ilovedoodlebug.com.au 7 Boys Striped Slip On, $24.99, www.pumpkinpatch.com.au 8 Fire Engine Jersey Dungarees Two Piece Set, $28, au.nextdirect.com/en/
Knitwear Knitwear is a winter staple for kids and this season colours are classic and neutral. Opt for a cape or cardigan for a cute sophisticated look. Pair knits with floral pants or high top sneakers for the ultimate winter style.
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1 Faded Knit Cardi, $59.95, www.witchery.com.au 2 Merino Kids Vest in Stone, $59.95, www.merinokids.com.au 3 Gauge Knit Sweater - Grey Marle, $79.95, www.eenimeeni.com 4 Chase Hi-Top in Black/White, $29.95, www.billieshoes.com 5 Toffee Spot Cardigan, from $22, au.nextdirect.com/en/ 6 Gauge Knit Cape - Dusk, $79,95, www.eenimeeni.com 7 Pansy print harem pant, $27.99, www.pumpkinpatch.com.au 8 Grey Heart Cardigan, from $29, au.nextdirect.com/en/ kidmagazine.com.au 15
Founded by yoga teacher/entrepreneur Rebecca Quade, and world renowned songwriter and music producer, Andrew Klippel, Yoga Pop has hit Paddington based FLOW Athletic. Yoga Pop is a modern approach to children’s and parents wellbeing. The series of videos and live studio classes are about being interactive, and having fun through presentation of exclusively developed music and instructional yoga sets aimed at children from 18 months- 6 years old. Find out more about Yoga Pop at www.flowathletic.com.
The new Australian physical activity guidelines released recently have increased the recommended amount of activity adults should be completing per week from 150 minutes to between 150 and 300 minutes. The guidelines also recommend limiting time spent using electronic media and entertainment for children. 300 minutes per week equates to just over 40 minutes per day. Taking a walk as a family, playing a game of backyard cricket or swimming laps while the kids are at swimming lessons are great ways to increase your activity levels each week.
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Recent media attention has focused rise in allergic reactions and the found in baby wipes, Methylisothia is linked to this. For parents lookin natural baby wipe but wanting to a of reusable wipes, WaterWipes are t wipe on the market, containing just seed extract and 99.9% purified wa same universally recognised form by midwives for washing a baby’s just cotton and cooled boiled wate information visit www.waterwip
It likely isn’t something you have thought about before but Furless is the first Australian company to offer 100 per cent synthetic professional make-up brushes that are not only superior in quality to those made from real fur, but also are certified cruelty free. Furless brushes last longer because the synthetic hair is stronger and does not fall out during each use. Not only this and unlike animal fur, synthetic brushes do not trap dirt and bacteria in their bristles, making them more hygienic and hypoallergenic. For more information visit www.furless.com.au.
on the dramatic e preservative azolinone, that ng for a more avoid the hassle the purest baby t 0.1% grapefruit ater. It uses the mula practiced s bottom with ter. For further pes.com.au.
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health and beauty bites
A revolutionary breastmilk storage system has arrived in Australia. Kiinde products allow you to collect, organize, store, prepare and feed breastmilk with an easy to use system. Kiinde Twist Pouches twist-lock onto breast pumps from all major brands for leak-proof, transfer-free pumping. Refrigerate or freeze the pouches and then easily convert to a feeding bottle with the Active-Latch Nipples™. Sterilising is minimised with the pre-sterilised pouches, which can then be discarded after use also minimising storage space required. The Kiinde products can be purchased at www.kiinde.com.au.
Choosing the right foundation for your skin tone Laura Zammit, Independent Business Owner with The Body Shop At Home™ Cool
If you’re classified as having a ‘cool’ undertone, the veins on your inner wrist will appear blue, you’ll tend to flush pink when in the sun and burn easy. When looking for a foundation you should look for ones that use a rosier, redder or blue base; these colours will work together with your skin to produce an even colour, without producing shadows, appearing too light or too dark, and will help to give your skin a natural glow.
Warm
If you’re ‘warm’, the veins on your wrist will appear green rather than blue and you will quickly bronze or darken in the sun.
Picking the right foundation for your skin tone and type can be a difficult process. Different brands have different shades making it difficult to find the right one for you. Quite often women will find a colour that looks reasonable and then stick with it, without taking into consideration factors that can impact on your skin such as the environment, seasons and aging. A common mistake people make when purchasing a foundation is choosing a foundation based on how light or dark their skin is, when really the secret is to look at the undertones of your skin. We are all either neutral, cool or warm; so next time you’re shopping for foundation, take a little extra time to shop around and find a product that is perfect for you.
As your skin generally has more melanin, you are less likely to feel the impact of harsh lighting or the sun, therefore purchasing a foundation that has a golden or yellow base is the right match for you.
Neutral
Neutral ladies are the envy of everyone; you’re the girls who can pull off any shade of lipstick, any eye shadow and any hair colour – lucky girls! The same goes for foundation, while you need to ensure the tone of the colour is right for your skin, the undertone or base of the product can be red, blue or yellow. Many neutrals find they opt for a golden or yellow base foundation in the warmer months and blue-based in the cooler months. Now that you’ve identified your undertone, you’re set to identify the right foundation for your skin. Dip a Q-tip into the foundation container and apply it to the centre of your jawline along the side of your face, the space between your chin and the top of your jaw below your ear. The foundation should be invisible; you shouldn’t notice a change in tone or colour in the area you’ve applied with foundation and if you do, this isn’t the right shade for you. Laura is an Independent Business Owner with The Body Shop At Home™ who specialises in make-up. For more information on The Body Shop At Home™ please visit www.thebodyshop.com.au/TheBodyShopAtHome.aspx
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Getting your body back after you've had kids melanie McGrice, Author of 'The pregnancy weight plan' Breastfeed if possible It is recommended that, if possible, you breastfeed exclusively for the first six months. The average woman burns approximately 2000 kilojoules per day to make breastmilk, consequently, breastfeeding is one of the best ways to help you lose weight after pregnancy. Contrary to rumour, research shows that breastfeeding does not cause your breasts to sag more, or less than bottle feeding. Most women’s breasts will sag after pregnancy as the skin has been stretched from the swelling during pregnancy. The older you are when you get pregnant, the more your boobs are likely to sag – the same way that we get more wrinkles the older we are – because was we age our skin doesn’t have as much elastin and doesn’t spring back into shape the way it once did. Not only does breastfeeding provide a nutritious start for your baby, breast feeding will help you to burn more kilojoules and naturally lose your baby weight. Anyone who’s ever tried to lose weight or go on a ‘health kick’ before knows that it takes time, energy and commitment. It’s hard enough to find the drive at any time with the busy lives we all lead these days, but how do you do it when you’re having sleepless nights and never get a moment’s peace to yourself because your little ones are constantly demanding your attention? Leading Dietitian and author of ‘The Pregnancy Weight Plan’ Melanie McGrice shares some of her tips:
Have realistic expectations Firstly, you need to accept that your body will never be exactly the same as it was BK (before kids). But, that’s a wonderful thing – your body has created a human life. It has nourished and protected your little one as he or she grew. That alone is a gift that many women who struggle with their fertility would kill for. Magazines may praise the cylindrical silhouettes of the supermodels, but those women are often the ones who struggle to fall pregnant.
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Just because you’re breast-feeding, it doesn’t mean that you can eat whatever you like though. Firstly, your diet needs to be nutritious because you continue to provide nutrition for your baby. Secondly, if you’re eating too many kilojoules, breast-feeding or not, you will continue to gain weight. Some women, go the opposite way and lose weight too quickly. This can also cause a problem as if you lose weight too quickly and end up losing muscle mass, this will slow down your metabolic rate making it more difficult for you to keep your weight down in the long term. Aim for about half a kilogram of weight loss per week.
Decrease your kilojoule intake slowly if you aren’t breastfeeding For some mums, breastfeeding just isn’t practical or possible. If this is the case for you, I recommend, slowly decreasing your kilojoule intake. Your nutrition requirements will continue to be higher than usual for the first six weeks after giving birth as your body requires additional nutrition for healing, especially if you had a Caesarean section or experienced any tearing. If you
don’t meet your protein requirements for healing, you can easily decrease your metabolic rate making it more difficult to keep weight off in the long term.
Aim to get back to your pre-conception weight before trying for your next Overall, you should expect to take about six months to get back to your pre-conception body weight. It’s a good idea to get back to your pre-conception body weight before trying to conceive your next. As a Dietitian, I see many women who still had 5-10 kilograms to lose before conceiving their next, and then after having three children are up to 30 kilograms heavier than they were before starting to have children and just can’t shift the
weight again. Those last five kilograms do matter!
Have a plan
It’s difficult to follow a strict diet when you have young children, but a good routine will make all the difference for you. When we’re really busy, we tend to do a lot of tasks on ‘auto-pilot’, so develop healthy ‘auto-pilot’ routines that you don’t have to think about. Some habits to avoid are things like grabbing a muffin every morning after dropping your kids off at crèche or pouring yourself a glass of wine after you’ve put the kids to bed. Some healthy routines might be: • Having a cup of tea to unwind when you put the kids down to sleep • Going to the gym before doing any errands when your baby sitter arrives • Taking your little ones for a walk each day before their nap • Eating breakfast while you feed your toddler
Find time to exercise I know that this is easier said than done, but you need it to help to decrease your stress hormones as well as for weight loss. Exercise also helps to optimise your metabolic rate, regulate your appetite hormones as well as burning kilojoules. You may not be able to exercise for an hour every day, but think about what is most achievable for you and make it a priority. Are you a social person? If so, do you need to join a netball or badminton team for some relaxation? Are you a single mum and find it difficult to leave the house? Do you need a wii fit or an exercise DVD to follow? Are you a morning person? Do you need your partner to manage the house while you do a 20minute jog before he leaves for work? Are you a working mum? Do you need to go to the gym for 30 minutes during your lunch break? We all have different schedules and different priorities, so determine what your needs are and lock in something that’s going to suit your schedule. For more information about a meal plan for post pregnancy weight loss contact me on www. melaniemcgrice.com.au. Melanie McGrice is an Advanced Accredited Practising Dietitian with a Masters degree in Dietetics. She is the author of ‘The Pregnancy Weight Plan’ which is available from all major book stores and Big W. Join her free ‘Nutrition and Wellbeing Network’ at www.melaniemcgrice.com.au.
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The hydration equation Sara Keli, Kid Magazine Editor
We all know how we feel when we are dehydrated. The tiredness creeps in, you are sluggish and the murderous hits hard. For kids, hydration can strike even faster given their smaller body weights and all the physical activity they do. At school, dehydration can impact on cognitive function impairing concentration, memory and alertness. Not ideal when they are supposed to be learning. With the school holidays coming up and the kids involved in more activity outside the classroom, you could be left with a tired and irritable little one if you don’t hydrate them adequately. (Sounds awesome. Said no parent. Ever.) While adults know to drink plenty of fluid throughout the day and regularly reach for a glass of water, kids can easily become caught up in a game or activity and neglect to quench their thirst. In the same way that a trip to the toilet is always left until the last minute as the kids don’t want to miss out on whatever it is they are doing, drinking water can often be treated as secondary to a game or time with friends. Hydration experts Hydralyte recommend that children be offered regular access to clean fresh water and kept cool and in the shade as much as possible. Another tip that works a treat is that kids are more likely to drink when water is chilled. Freeze the bottom quarter of your child’s water bottle overnight and fill in the morning. Whether at school, home or out and about they will have an ice-cold water bottle to get them through the day. But sometimes water isn’t enough. Sarah Curulli, Clinical Education Pharmacist at Hydralyte, says, “For the most part water & a balanced diet will be sufficient to keep your children healthy and hydrated; but on extremely hot days, when fluid loss has been significant they may require an electrolyte solution to replace lost salts.” In this case Curulli advises parents to look out for the following signs: thirst, sticky / dry mouth, fatigue, irritability, headache and lack of concentration. kidmagazine.com.au 22
Curulli’s tips for really hot days are to offer your kids Hydralyte mini bottles or pack them in their lunchbox and to avoid giving children sugary sports drinks. Hydralyte Ice Blocks are also a “treat” that is actually good for them. Even better, Hydralyte’s New Colour Free Lemonade Flavoured Ice Blocks are low in sugar and have no artificial colours providing parents with a great alternative to commercial icey treats and sports drinks, which are often filled with excess sugar, and artificial colours and flavours. Hydralyte is available at all good pharmacies across Australia. The New Hydralyte Colour Free Lemonade Ice Block Packs (16 per pack) retail for $14.95.
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How much fluid does your child need everyday? Gender
Age Group
Litres/day*
Boys & Girls
1-3 years
1 Litre
Boys & Girls
4-8 years
1.2 Litres
Girls
9-13 years
1.4 Litres
Boys
9-13 years
1.6 Litres
Girls
14-18 years
1.6 Litres
Boys
14-18 years
1.9 Litres
* amount of fluid required through drinks alone
www.budu.com.au
Add some fun to your bike with the extra large 80mm bicycle bells by LIIX. Featuring a classic towtone “ding-dong” sound, they are a great bicycle accessory to make oneself seen and heard. Definitely quirky, available designs include pink with the slogan ‘I love my bike’, with diamond dots on white or with white dots on black. Add style and class to any ride for just $29.90. Visit www. thedesigngiftshop.com to purchase.
Inside the enchanted Flutterbye Surprise Butterfly Diary lies a magical secret waiting to be discovered. Open its pages to reveal the most delicate butterfly as it gracefully flies across your room. Each elegant dance of its wings is a sign that magic is real. Open your Dairy’s secret compartment and discover your very own journal where you can share thoughts, dreams and magical wishes. Enchanted secrets are waiting to be discovered inside the magic pages of your Surprise Butterfly Diary! The new Flutterbye Surprise Butterfly Diary is available in purple and pink. Available from all major toy retailers and other independent toy stores for $14.99.
Some of Disney’s favourit lights as new Dream Lites Tigger and Eeyore as the l Lites family. Pillow Pets D that turns a child’s bedroo turn it on and instantly st companion, kids won’t be Dream Lites friends by the companion. Kids love thei sleeping with them by nig stores and independent to mypillowpets.com.au for
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fun bites When it comes to learning how to write, many children are scared to make a mistake and worry their handwriting wil be ‘wrong’, messy or il egible. The new Frixon Pens from Pilot are made with a heat-sensitive ink that can be simply rubbed out if a mistake is made. Rub out with the eraser on the end of the pen and start again. Available in lots of different colours, they wil help make handwriting fun. For more information visit www.pilotpen.com.au
te characters will now be shining their s characters. Mickey and Minnie join Pooh, latest additions to the Pillow Pets Dream Dream Lites act as a magical night light om ceiling into a starry night sky. Simply tars will appear on the ceiling. The perfect e afraid of the dark with their Pillow Pets heir side. PILLOW PETS are the perfect ir PILLOW PETS by day and are comforted ght. Available from major department oy retailers across Australia and www. $34.99 each.
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For the seventh consecutive year, writing instrument company STAEDTLER and Save the Children have joined forces globally in support of World Kids Colouring Day, May 6, 2014. Children are again invited to participate in this colouring campaign to help vulnerable children. The concept is simple; children sell their artworks to raise funds which contribute to Save the Children Australia. This year’s colouring theme is ‘Picture stories – colourful trip around the world.’ Children are encouraged to express what this means to them through colouring and drawing. Visit www.world-kids-colouringday.com.au to find out how your kids can get involved.
Mother Gift G
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r’s Day Guide
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garden goddess
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queen of the kitchen
Kitchen Tablet and iPad Stand, $19.95, colourblocker.com.au; Healthy Every Day by Pete Evans, $39.99; Speciality Cheese Kit, $135, www.madmillie.com; Zakkia Beef Kitchen Board, $19, www.zakkia.com.au; Polka Dot Tin Recipe Box by Rifle Paper Co., $59.95, from Lark at www.larkstore.com.au; Mother’s Day Tea Towel, $24.95, www.linnea.co.au; Sharp Slow Juicer, $499, www.sharp.net.au or call 1300 135 530; La De Dah Journal from Grant Studios, $15, Available in selected Big W stores, visit www.grant.com.au or phone 03 9509 2228; Vitamix Total Nutrition Centre, $995, www.vitamix.com.au; Fast, Fresh and Unbelievably Delicious by Matt Preston, $39.99; Annabel Trends Photo Print Apron, $29.95, www.annabeltrends.com kidmagazine.com.au 29
relaxation required
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accessories addict
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Mother’s Day Treat Bag The perfect gift bag for mum or a special friend.
Materials Required
Brown Paper Bags Bakers Twine Felt Hearts Plastic Heart Beads Shredded Tissue Paper Scissors Glue (CraftSmart PVA Blue recommended)
Instructions
1. Start by decorating your bag. Simply the felt heart shapes onto your paper bag. 2. Cut a length of bakers twine - approximately 150cm L. Wind this around and around your paper bag. 3. As a finishing touch, thread some beads through the twine and then tie each of the ends to form a bow. Products used in this project are available at Craft Direct. www.craftdirect.com.au Tel: 1300 354 240
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Did you know every issue of Kid Magazine covers health & beauty, fashion, homewares, fun, food, giveaways, great articles and more... for mums? www.kidmagazine.com.au
My daughter changed m Rhonda Maxwell, mum to Brooklyn Photography: Sheree-Vella Photography, www.shreevella.com I know it might sound a little cliché, but my daughter changed my life. Before her, I was lost and wandering through the world a clueless and uninspired 25 year old just living week to week on a crappy wage in an unfulfilling job as a bar and gaming attendant. I was quite the social butterfly and party animal and I loved to drink and dance to loud music. Although it was a fun time of my life, I was still left feeling unsatisfied with my life as a whole and knew there had to be something better out there for me. You can imagine my absolute shock when in May 2012 I discovered I was pregnant. My first reaction? I cried. I called Mum from the Doctors office and balled my sad little eyes out. I had had an abortion when I was 20 when I got pregnant to my ex boyfriend who I had been in a relationship with for four years and always said that if I ever got pregnant in the future that I never wanted to experience that again. But this time, it was different, I was on my own. I gave myself a few days to make a decision and eventually decided I was going to go ahead with my pregnancy. It took me a few months to feel confident in my decision to keep my baby but once I started getting bigger I felt absolutely amazing. I was so happy and excited about this new journey I was on. That pregnancy glow everyone talks about? That was me. I LOVED being pregnant. It was like nothing I had ever experienced before. I had stopped drinking and partying and moved in with my parents and was determined to live a healthier and more satisfying lifestyle for myself and my little bub. Brooklyn Evangeline was born on January 25 2013, 12 days overdue, at 2:45 in the afternoon after eight hours active labour at a healthy 7lb9oz at the Gold Coast Hospital. I had my sister Claudine with me in the delivery room and she was absolutely amazing. That familiar feeling of surrealism surrounded me again as the midwife placed Brooklyn on my bare chest to breastfeed for the first time. I just stared at her blankly and was lost for words. My parents came up to see us but I was just so exhausted and spent the night recovering and sleeping. It didn’t really kick in for me until the next day when the hospital photographer came around and took some photos of Brooklyn that my body became completely aware of her presence and my heart opened up and I felt kidmagazine.com.au 34
the strongest sense of absolute love and elation. I have a daughter! This was such an amazing feeling! I absolutely love being a mother and I love that I’m raising her on my own. I definitely think there are a lot of benefits to being a single parent and I feel confident as a woman and as a mother that I am able to tackle the huge responsibility of making decisions for a completely dependent little person. She makes me want to be a better person and as much as I am teaching her, she is also teaching me everyday. I really wouldn’t have it any other way. When the day comes when she asks about her father, I will simply tell her that we were meant to meet and come together just so she could be born. I feel really blessed and grateful to have her in my life. These days my ‘Me’ time is something as simple as going for a drive with my music pumping or dancing around my room with Brooklyn wrapped up in our wrap or carrier listening to some tunes. I also really enjoy exercising. I started going to a weekly postnatal stroller fitness group when Brooklyn was four months old and I loved it! Brooklyn on the other hand, absolutely hated it! She hated being stuck in the pram throughout the session and I was constantly picking her up and playing with her so naturally I missed a decent chunk of the workout every time. I started taking my baby carrier with me to classes because she loved being snuggled up against me as much as I loved having her there. My problem now was
my life I could only do a few of the exercises as a lot of them obviously didn’t cater to me having a baby strapped to me. Eventually I pulled out of classes and attempted to just work out at home wishing there was a way for me to incorporate babywearing into my fitness session. Then one day while I was browsing through my local Gold Coast Babywearers Facebook Page, I stumbled upon Kangatraining Mums & Bubs postnatal fitness. After reading the description, a light bulb went off in my head, I knew this was for me! Kangatraining combines a variety of exercises with dance-based choreography where Mums get to wear their babies in a carrier. I signed up for the next instructors course and came out the other side as a Certified Kangatraining Instructor. I’m one of only two instructors on the Gold Coast at the moment. I now run weekly classes on the Northern End of the Gold Coast and I absolutely love it. None of this would have been possible without my daughter. She has very literally changed my life. Where there used to be depressing, negative thoughts of selfdoubt and a lack of self-confidence and self-esteem now lies a positive mindset, a more confident view of myself and a fire in my belly to be happy, successful, passionate and to live the life I have always dreamed of for the both of us.
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Chasing dreams at sea Caylie Jeffery, mum to Will and Kitty
My husband, David, and I had been living in London for five years when the 2005 terrorist attacks occurred. We had moved there from Australia because we weren’t ready to start a family and planned to spend a few years living a carefree life before heading back to our hometown of Brisbane to have babies. During those years overseas, we worked hard and played even harder. We had good jobs that were demanding, and we travelled as much as we could. On 7 July 2005, David and I were barely in the right place at that very wrong time, narrowly missing personal tragedy when terrorists attacked the public transport system we used. Once we had finally located each other amidst the chaos of London that day, we sat down and started talking seriously about our future. We questioned what it was that we wanted out of life, individually and as a couple. Neither of us was prepared for terrorists to make our life decisions for us, although ironically, it took those bombings and many lost lives to give us both the courage to ask for what we really wanted. My dream was to have a baby and raise our family in Australia; David’s was to sail around the world on a yacht. Our dreams were poles apart but we had come
too close to never achieving any dreams at all to discount them. Despite our mutual fears, we knew we had to push the limits if we were to live the extraordinary life we felt we’d been gifted. It took six months to put our new plan into action. We gave up our life in London, bought a sailing boat with a view to sailing it to Australia, and learned how to sail. We planned to fall pregnant somewhere in the Pacific with the baby arriving the day after we set foot on Australian soil... Aaaah, the best laid plans! In April 2006, we set sail on our two-year sojourn from England to Australia, via the Mediterranean, Canary Islands, Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean and the Pacific. Our boat, a twenty-year-old, 38-foot British racing yacht, was called Steamy Windows. We had sun, sea and sand, squalls and squabbles, love and lessons, lonely old men and delightful fellow cruisers, all of which enhanced and enriched our lives. And to top it all off, we had a second near-death experience involving a hurricane off the coast of Africa, where we thought we’d never see land again – only grim determination and our boat handling skills got us through those three days of hell. You never look at one another quite the same way again after you’ve saved each other’s lives. A deep respect grows, and stays forever. Once again, our lives had been threatened by circumstances out of our control. It was time to make another decision – we threw our birth control in the bin. Six weeks later, halfway across the Atlantic Ocean, we discovered that we had a little stowaway; one that would stop us from completing our journey to Australia. David was lucky enough to get a job as a Project Manager on the World Trade Centre site in New York, which was not without irony given that terrorism was one of the things that got us going on this journey in the first place. We continued our journey through the Caribbean, towards America, where pre-natal care proved interesting and almost totally unavailable. Ancient scanning machines showed that we were pregnant, but that’s about it, so we depended on Mother Nature and common sense to do most of the work for us. We sailed into New York harbour when I was thirty-four weeks pregnant in the middle of another huge storm, which seemed appropriate for us. Grinding winches whilst
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heavily pregnant is not an easy thing to do at the best of times. Once again, I thought it was all over and was surprised I didn’t give birth then and there! And so began our parenting journey. Our son, William, was born without incident in August 2007 at the New York Presbyterian Hospital. We call him Will, because of his amazing strength and endurance during our remarkable journey. No sailing adventure, in fact, no adventure in the world, can hold a candle to our new life as parents. The joys of watching our son, Will and his little sister, Kitty, grow and discover life as we show it to them, far outweighs any sunset at sea or moonlit phosphorescence. The fears of storms are put in the shade by the feelings we have when either child is sick. The wonder of their tender skin and glowing youth far surpasses any sight of dolphins prancing at the bow or watchful whales sliding alongside us. But I still smile to know that we both saw our dreams come true and have been able to introduce our children to the wonderful world of sailing as a family, which we do regularly now in Moreton Bay, back in our home town of Brisbane. Maybe we’ll do the Pacific with them one day... you never know! A nurse and counsellor by trade, Caylie Jeffery has had many adventures and experiences that have made her into a strong, independent, and interested woman. She lives in Brisbane with her husband, David and their two young children, Will and Kitty, who keep her on her toes
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but are her favourite people to hang with. Caylie has a website where she writes familiar essays about subjects that catch her breath, called Distractions of a Busy Mother. She also works as a freelance writer, and is an emerging author of children’s stories, teen adventures and creative adult non-fiction. She’s currently working on a manuscript for young adults based on her own Sailing adventures around the world, and has recently published her first book, Bedtime Stories for Busy Mothers. You can buy Caylie’s book via Amazon www. amazon.com/Bedtime-Stories-Mothers-CaylieJeffery/dp/0992432200/ or via her website www. cayliejeffery.com.au You can follow Caylie on Twitter: @CaylieAuthor
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Career Mumma Maria Bellissimo-Magrin, mum to Charlie
I started working within the week I arrived home from hospital. I didn’t really give myself a chance to just be a new mum. Initially it was OK, but I quickly lost interest in my business. I was available and approachable, but I was absent. I just didn’t want to do it anymore. Charlie’s birth was timely, October. Not only was it a wonderful time of year, it was also close to Christmas and the business closed for three weeks. In hindsight, I really needed that time with Charlie and my husband to be a new family. To focus on us and the new life we had created together. To know that I, as a career woman, wouldn’t jeopardise my business if I switched off. It truly was glorious. I returned refreshed, armed with a little more knowledge than three months earlier and a little routine Charlie and I had created during my time off.
If you’re a career Mamma, I’m sure nothing I write here will surprise you. Running my own business is challenging. I wear several hats throughout the day. It’s fast paced and I love every moment of it. Well that’s a lie, but for the sake of this piece, let’s say I do. I’ve had my business for five and a half years now and have always been so driven and focused. Then something happened. My oversized belly dwindled and that little being inside became my daughter, Charlie. It was difficult for me to let go of my business, the baby I’ve had for so long, until each moment I was with Charlie. Staring at her little face, nothing else in the world mattered. And each and every time I held her, my fast paced life I was so familiar with began to disappear. In fact, I enjoyed every slow moment I had. Becoming a Mother far outweighed anything I had achieved or any goals I had set myself. For those that know me well, understand I just don’t exist without my drive, passion and desire for success. I didn’t know how to deal with it.
Now, every Monday, with Charlie in tow, I go into the office and work as I once did. My husband and I switch days and stay home with Charlie the other days. On the days we need to work together, my amazing Aunty helps us out. I’m very thankful for having a close family around me. It does make going back to work that little bit easier. Sure, some days I just want to stay home with my little girl, but I’m working to provide for her and it seems to make it all worthwhile. Some say that becoming a Mother isn’t everything, but for me, it made me realise there are far greater things in life than your career, your possessions and even spontaneity. Sure these things still hold value, but it’s nothing compared to my little girl. Enjoying Christmas day and Mothers Day (which I am super excited about) with my little cherub, I wouldn’t change a single thing. CEO of Belgrin, a Sydney based communications agency specialised in Design, PR and Social Media, Maria Bellissimo-Magrin is a woman of genuine accomplishment. Her 13 years in the creative industry, combined with a keenly developed business sense, have served to position Belgrin as an industry leader. On the personal level, Maria is charming, fun, intuitive and adventurous – useful qualities for any creative. Add to this a sharp eye for detail and an absolute insistence on getting it right for her clients, every time, and you can see why she is so highly regarded and so widely referred.
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Egg-citing gifts
The Easter Bunny is getting creative this year with these Easter inspired gifts. Don’t forget the chocolate! 1 dusk Set of 3 Spotted Cupcake Candles, $12.99, dusk.com.au 2 Jane Bunny Stripe Pyjamas (sizes 2-16), $44.95, www.fourinthebed.com.au 3 Williams-Sonoma Easter Egg Moustache Tattoos, $9.00, www.williamssonoma.com.au 4 Tippy Toes Footless Tights – Bunny, $14.95, www.annabeltrends.com 5 Cadbury Marvellous Creations Egg, $1.60, leading supermarkets, discount department stores, independent grocery stores and petrol and convenience stores nationally 6 Golden Egg Bath Melt Ballistic, $6.50, www.lush.com.au 7 Rabbit LED Night Light, $16.95, www.rawspace.com.au or 08 8212 5655 8 A.T. Home Door Stops - Blue Bunny, $16.95, www.annabeltrends.com 9 Chevron Pastels Easter Treat Bag & Tag - Pack of 12, $19.95, www.illumedesign.com.au 10 dusk Betty Bunny Candle, $14.99, dusk.com.au 11 Cadbury Mini Eggs, $1.60, leading supermarkets, discount department stores, independent grocery stores and petrol and convenience stores nationally 12 Williams-Sonoma Easter Egg Cookie Cutters, $12.00, www.williamssonoma.com.au kidmagazine.com.au 40
Bouncing Easter Bunnies
The kids will be jumping at this fun Easter craft activity
Materials Required
20 x Moving Paper Bunny Shape White Pom Poms Joggle Eyes Foam Hearts CraftSmart PVA Glue
Instructions
1. First, start by gluing some white pom poms to the ears of your Bunny – making them nice and fluffy. 2. Then glue some pom poms to your Bunny’s feet and tummy. 3. Bring your Bunny to life by gluing on some joggle eyes. 4. Now, as a finishing touch, stick on some foam shapes to add some colour. Products used in this project are available at Craft Direct. www.craftdirect.com.au Tel: 1300 354 240
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e review . Quickflix movie review . Quickflix movie review . Quickflix movie review . Quic TM
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2 By Simon Miraudo Man cannot survive on puns alone, but kids can. Happily. The Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs franchise is one of the unlikeliest success stories of late, coming from Sony Pictures Animation and earning much acclaim to compliment its massive grosses. Directors Cody Cameron and Kris Pearn take over this sequel, and don’t alter the original’s formula one iota. The first involved inventor Flint Lockwood (Bill Hader) creating a machine that induced food-related weather. This time around, food-mutated animals - call them ‘Foodimals’ - are thrown into the mix. The adventure begins when Flint is hand-picked by the Steve Jobsian genius Chester V (Will Forte) to join his cultlike enclave, and then sent back to his home of Swallow Falls so he may examine the newly-created wildlife that resulted from his original invention. Flint’s girlfriend Sam (Anna Faris) and their friends pledge to venture back with him, and they’re voiced by Andy Samberg, Neil Patrick Harris, Terry Crews, Benjamin Bratt, and James Caan. That is one undeniably appealing ensemble. Madness ensues, resulting in an unusually dark and violent (yet still cartoonish, so don’t panic, parents) ending. Nonetheless, Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs 2 is just a sideways step from its predecessor. That’s great news for adults who want a guaranteed good time for their tiddlywinks, but maybe a little bit tiresome for those who aren’t keen on being endlessly introduced to such groan-inducing creations as the Sasquatch, Mosquitoast, Bananostrich... the list is, almost literally, endless. Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs 2 is now available on Quickflix.
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20 Feet from Stardom By Simon Miraudo 20 Feet from Stardom is the latest documentary to burrow into the deeper recesses of the music industry, with the intention of setting the record straight and giving unsung heroes their due. It worked. The film picked up the Best Documentary Academy Award at last month’s Oscars. Director Morgan Neville focuses on a select few singers in his film. The biggest is Darlene Love, the former Phil Spector protégé whose brief dalliance with fame was snuffed out too soon, leading to her taking work cleaning houses while her famed track ‘Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)’ played seasonally on the radio. She’s joined by Lisa Fischer, a one-time Grammy winner with an inimitable voice, Merry Clayton, responsible for giving The Rolling Stones’ ‘Gimme Shelter’ its apocalyptic refrain, infamous Ikette Claudia Lennear, and rising talent Judith Hill. Actual superstars like Bruce Springsteen, Bette Midler, Mick Jagger, and, well, Sting chime in to insist that these background singers are responsible for making Spector’s productions truly sparkle and giving 70s rockers an essential edge. They make a convincing case. 20 Feet From Stardom is a treat for those with an affinity for hearing voices of unequalled talent. It might suffer from slight over-length, but I sympathise entirely with Neville. If I had this much talent in the one room, and so much concert footage of them bringing down the house, adding ‘la la las’ and ‘oohs’ to some of the greatest songs ever written, I wouldn’t quite know what to cut out either. 20 Feet from Stardom is now available on Quickflix.
visit www.kidmagazine.com.au/quickflix
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If you are trying to lose weight, or just trying to be that bit healthier (for you and your family) traditional baking can be hard.The new Healthy Mummy Guilt Free Chocolate Treats & Baking Cookbook is packed full of yummy recipes for you to make that won’t ruin your weight loss plan and as the recipes are so much healthier than standard cake recipes,you and your family can enjoy them knowing that they are much better for your overall health – and much lower in sugar, fat and calories too.Available from www.healthymummy.com for $29.95.
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With rolled wholegrain oats, crunchy All-Bran twigs, nutritious seeds and tasty fruit pieces in fun resealable packaging, the brand new All-Bran High Fibre Muesli is available in three fibrelicious flavours; Apricot & Almond, Summer Fruits and Cranberry & Pink Lady Apple. Kellogg’s All-Bran High Fibre Muesli is available in Coles, Woolworths and leading independent supermarkets nationwide. RRP $4.99 for 450g. For more information on the new All-Bran Muesli or recipes for a diet rich in fibre, visit www.all-bran.com.au.
You know the recipe. The n provides a so K with half a which is sim
food bites An exciting new range of premium flavoured nut spreads has hit Australian shelves, giving Aussies a brand new alternative for a delicious breakfast or snack. Blessed & Lucky Nut Spreads blend the finest nuts with delicious, authentic ingredients including a heartwarming sweet honey, melt-in-themouth maple syrup and sweet-scented crushed cinnamon, providing a new and tasty way to enjoy spreads. With no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives, the simple and beautiful range adds a natural twist to mainstream nut spreads. Blessed & Lucky is available from Coles, Woolworths and independent stockists priced from $4.99. For further information visit www.facebook.com/BlessedAndLucky
The powerful new KitchenAid Artisan 9 Speed Hand Mixer is now available in Australia and New Zealand, making light work of quick, small culinary tasks. The addition of three new stainless steel attachments makes the new Artisan Hand Mixer the super convenient, go-to small appliance in your kitchen. From thick pizza dough to fluffy egg whites, the electronic mixing sensor will adjust to the resistance of what you are mixing for smooth, consistent operation. Available now in quality homeware and major department stores across Australia for $199.
e saying ‘don’t fix it if it isn’t broken’? Well that doesn’t apply to the new Special K new three grain recipe includes added wholegrain oats which means Special K now ource of fibre, wholegrain and contains around 15% less sodium. One cup of Special a cup of skim milk provides 25 per cent of the recommended daily intake of protein milar to a poached egg on toast. The new Special K is available on grocery shelves now. Visit www.specialk.com.au. kidmagazine.com.au 45
Spotlight on a gluten free diet Sara Keli, Kid Magazine Editor
Twenty years ago a gluten free diet was not something that you would have regularly heard about. Most people probably didn’t even know what Coeliac disease was and if you were Coeliac or gluten intolerant, finding suitable gluten free products was probably much like finding a needle in a haystack. A walk down the supermarket aisle these days is enough to tell you that the gluten free market is one of the fastest growing segments. Even if you aren’t one of the estimated one percent of the population suffering from Coeliac disease you may choose a gluten free diet as a lifestyle choice. You may also suffer from gluten intolerance and not be aware of it. Whether you decide to follow a gluten free diet for necessity or lifestyle, it can be a bit of a minefield. Nutritionist and Naturopath Sarah-Jane Purnell recently created the PureBred 7 Day Gluten Free Challenge to put the spotlight on following a gluten free diet.
If you’ve never “gone gluten free” before it is easy to make the assumption that simply avoiding breads and cereals will be the way to go. However, gluten is hiding in some of the strangest places. Purnell has put together a handy list of where you might find gluten lurking in your food. Baked goods - cakes, pastries, slices, donuts, cookies, pies and scones. If it is sold at your local bakery then it very likely is gluten filled! Breads – All that are wheat, rye, spelt and kamut based. Includes focaccia, Turkish bread, wraps, pita and flatbread. Pizza bases and pastas. Any food made with breadcrumbs like stuffing. Cereals – most on the supermarket shelf. It must say gluten free on the packet. Note: Oats contain a tiny amount of protein that is structured like gluten. It is estimated that 20% of Coeliacs may react to this protein, so to be safe avoid this grain. Sides – Cous cous and semolina, cracked wheat found in tabouli. Snacks – Potato chips, chocolates, liquorice, some lollies, ice creams, frozen yoghurts. Meats – Any prepared meat such as sausages, rissoles, burger patties, meatloaf, seafood mix, pre-cooked seafood, frozen seafood (may be coated with wheat flour for easy frying!) Condiments – Asian sauces, soy sauce, salad dressings, tomato and BBQ sauces, marinades, soup mixes, any prepare a meal in a packet type product. Drinks – beer, spirits made from grains (gin, whiskey, and some vodka), instant coffee, tea or hot chocolate mixes. Cosmetics – can you believe it? Gluten is found in some beauty products (think oat based moisturisers or scrubs) so if you are a celiac or highly sensitive you need to be careful when purchasing your products.
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Medication/supplements – always double check! It’s a pretty extensive list right? But don’t let it turn you off trying a gluten free diet for yourself. The list of no-go foods may be long but you won’t miss out when you skip the gluten. It seems that these days you can find a gluten free replacement for just about anything. Gluten free breads have come along way and no longer resemble and taste like a piece of cardboard. PureBred has a great range of breads including a tasty Raisin Toast, Chia Seed Loaf and even Hamburger Buns. You can also find cereals, biscuits, sauces, pastas and more in gluten free options. However, Purnell advises caution in eating too many foods just because they are gluten free. Instead she recommends focusing on the following foods: • Gluten free grains – such as quinoa, buckwheat, brown rice, amaranth and millet • Nuts and seeds • Vegetables and fruits • Lean meats, eggs and fish • Dairy products such as yoghurts and cheeses • Healthy oils – olive, rice bran, coconut • Gluten free breads and cereals I recently took the PureBred 7 Day Gluten Free Challenge for myself. For me it is about going back to basics and following a healthy and balanced diet. As all the gluten free foods are often concentrated in the one area of the supermarket, it is easy to pick up a packet of gluten free shortbread or crackers even though they aren’t things I would usually purchase. Going gluten free isn’t just about eating foods that carry the gluten free label. You can read more about my experience with the challenge at www.kidmagazine.com.au/category/ food. PureBred have shared with us some delicious recipes to get you started on a gluten free challenge of your own. If you aren’t tempted yet the recipes will certainly show you that a gluten free diet can be as tasty as it is good for you!
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PureBred White Farmhouse Fairy Bread 10 slices fresh PureBred White Farmhouse gluten-free bread 100g butter, at room temperature 125g (1/2 cup) hundreds and thousands Spread the bread slices evenly with butter. Use a variety of 5cm-diameter pastry cutters to cut shapes from the bread, avoiding the crusts. Place the hundreds and thousands on a plate. Press the bread, buttered-side down, into the hundreds and thousands to coat.
PureBred carrot, honey and raisin sandwich 2 slices PureBred Raisin Toast Spreadable cream cheese Honey Carrot, coarsely grated Alfalfa sprouts Spread 1 slice fruit bread with cream cheese. Drizzle over honey and top with carrot and alfalfa sprouts. Top with another slice fruit bread and cut in half.
Gluten Free Club Sandwich Salad for 2 with PureBred Multigrain Farmhouse Bread 4 thin slices smoked bacon, cooked and crispy 2 firm ripe heirloom tomatoes, cored and chopped 1/2 head romaine lettuce, chopped (3 cups) 4 scallions, chopped Mustard Dressing 2 slices of PureBred White Farmhouse bread 2 grilled Chicken Breasts, cut lengthwise into thin slices Crumble bacon. Combine tomatoes, lettuce and scallions together, add dressing and toss together. Spread a little of the dressing on the bread toasted and place on bottom of serving plate. Top with dressed lettuce. Top with sliced chicken breast and crumbled bacon.
Smoked Salmon Scrambled Eggs on PureBred White Farmhouse Toast 10 eggs ½ cup of milk 40g butter 100g Sliced Salmon 2 slices of PureBred White Farmhouse bread Place 10 eggs, ½ cup of milk, 4 tbsps. sour cream and some freshly ground black pepper in a large bowl and whisk together well. Melt 40g butter in a medium frying pan over a low heat and pour into the egg mixture. Use a wooden spoon to gently push the mixture into the middle of the pan- do this every 10 seconds to prevent sticking. Cook for 5 minutes or until the egg s almost cooked. Stir in 100g sliced smoked salmon just before serving. T oast 2 slices of PureBred White Farmhouse bread. Sprinkle with 1 tbsp. finely chopped dill and serve on PureBred White Farmhouse toast.
Toosh Coosh giving kids A seat at the table If the thought of skydiving from a height of 18,000 feet sounds like a breeze compared to mealtime at your house then I’m sure you’re not alone. Whether it is cooking four different meals to please the whole family, dealing with dinner table squabbles or mopping up the mess at the end of the meal, by the end of it you feel like you have run a marathon. That is, if you haven’t heard about the Toosh Coosh range of products. Born out of a mother’s frustration at not having a suitable seat for her kids to sit on at the dinner table once they had outgrown their high chair, the Toosh Coosh is a product loved by both kids and parents. The portable and lightweight support seat provides the extra height kids aged 3+ need to reach the dinner table while sitting in a “big persons” chair. The Toosh Coosh stays in place with the weight of the child and is designed to promote good posture. With the kids better able to reach the dinner table and sit straight they are less likely to wriggle and create mess. They are comfortable and happy so mum is happy! What is even better for mum is that the Toosh Coosh easily wipes clean after meals and comes in four great colours – red, blue, green and black- perfect for matching to décor in the home. A brand new product to the Toosh Coosh range is the Toddler Tray, another great product designed to make mealtimes easier on everyone. The Toddler Tray features raised sides, which not only help control mess but also stops plates from sliding out of reach. The deep tray prevents liquid spills from spreading across the dinner table – just pick up the tray at the end of the meal and tip it over the sink or bin to empty the contents. Also dishwasher safe the Toddler Tray is made from 100% food-grade melamine and features graphics chosen to help educate and entertain busy toddlers. Do yourself a favour and make mealtimes a breeze with Toosh Coosh. Toosh Coosh Booster Seats and Toddler Trays are available from www.tooshcoosh.com.au.
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Breakfast in bed
Mother’s Day is all about you so make sure you start way. Quick, easy and delicious, the recipes on the ne are perfect for the family to spoil you with breakfast lazy brunch after a sleep in or a morning meal on a cr Mother’s Day. Visit www.4ingredients.com.au for mor recipe inspiration.
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t it the right ext two pages in bed, a risp autumn re everyday
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Avocado, Mango & Bacon Stack
Poached Eggs with English Muffins
2 mangoes* 2 avocados 8 slices GF bacon, rind removed, cut and cooked
1 punnet (250g) cherry tomatoes 12 button mushrooms, sliced 4 eggs 4 wholemeal English muffins, sliced
Serves 4
Thinly slice the mango and avocado. Place a timbale (a cylindrical, hollow mould) in the middle of a serving plate and into its base alternate layers, starting with avocado, then mango, then bacon. Continue to stack, finishing with a few pieces of yummy crispy bacon. Place two fingers on the top of the stack, press down the contents within, then gently remove the timbale. Serve with a simple salad to compliment. * Mangoes can be substituted with cut purple grapes, pear or mandarin - whatever is in season Recipe from 4I Gluten Free Lactose Free
Serves 4
Preheat the oven to 180째C. Combine tomatoes and mushrooms in a pan, season with cracked pepper and dry roast for about 15 minutes, or until the tomatoes have burst open and softened. Meanwhile, fill a deep saucepan halfway with water and bring to a rapid boil. Crack an egg into the water and with a spoon whirlpool the water around the egg to create an even oval shape. Cook until the whites become firm and the yolk is still soft to the touch, 2 to 3 minutes. Meanwhile, toast the muffins until lightly golden, then place on a plate. Lift each egg from the water with a slotted spoon, allowing any excess water to drain back into the pan. Top the muffins with the roasted vegetables and poached egg, season with cracked pepper to serve.
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Recipe from 4 Ingredients Diabetes
Sweet Potato & Smoked Ham Fritters
Citrus Pancakes
4 eggs 2 cups (650g) mashed sweet potato 100g sliced smoked ham 2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup (125g) self raising flour 1 egg 1 cup (250ml) milk Zest of one citrus fruit (orange or lime is delicious)
In a large bowl, beat the eggs. Add the sweet potato and
Create a well with the flour, add egg and a pinch of salt.
Serves 4
ham and season with cracked pepper. In large nonstick frying pan, heat 2 teaspoons of oil to cover the base of the pan. Spoon the batter into the pan, cook until crisp and brown on each side. Keep finished fritters warm in oven until all fritters are fried, add more oil as required. Drain on paper towels before serving. Recipe from 4 Ingredients Diabetes
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Makes 4
Whisk whilst gradually adding milk until thick and smooth. Add the zest (which is a natural sweetner) and mix to combine. Heat a small non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Pour desired quantity into frying pan, cook until bubbling on top and then flip. Optional: Serve with a little maple syrup, honey or stewed fruits.
“Going Organic”
what it actually means for our families Bianca C. Ross, author of Herbert Peabody and His Extraordinary Vegetable Patch that, for a long time, organic fruit and vegetables shared close ties with stereo-typical “greenies.” But now this is not the case. Organic produce is no longer a topic reserved for greenies, but rather it has entered the conversation of work colleagues, families and gym go-ers. Even at the bar, one can order an Organic Lychee Martini. As to whether it delivers one an organic hangover, no conclusive evidence is available … yet. We don’t have to handcuff ourselves to trees to appreciate organic produce. Our bodies give all the thanks we need when we consume food that is as close to nature as possible. But at times, it’s difficult to go organic.
The humble grocery shop has become quite the task these days, particularly when it comes to the shopping of fruit and vegetables. Rumours abound as to the
origin and freshness, and many of us end up feeling bewildered as we stand gazing at the waist-high array of “fresh” produce.
Throw organic into the mix and panic ensues as we do a per kilo price check. Why are they so expensive? We sigh as we hold each piece of fruit delicately and reluctantly return it to the individual cardboard mould. Or if it does make it into our trolley, we agonise over the decision until we reach the till. And by that time, we’re so over the whole experience, we don’t care if we’ve broken the bank on one piece of fruit. But what does “organic” actually mean? If we look at the Oxford Dictionary, we’re told that organic is relating to or derived from living matter. And in relation to food or farming methods: produced or involving production without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides or other artificial chemicals. So we can now see that organic fruit and vegetables are as close to nature as possible. And perhaps this is why kidmagazine.com.au 56
As well as the pesty price tag, bugs are part of nature and something that those at the coalface of growing food know well. Our farmers deal with conditions so harsh that it’s difficult for us to understand. While most of us love endless sunshine and complain when it rains, we need to remember where our food comes from and what it needs to be able to grow. For our farmers, weather dictates their livelihood, and drought as well as flood can destroy in days what families have built for generations. And so we begin to see that if there’s a way our farmers can rid themselves of at least one threat, it’s understandable they will take action. And one way to do this is to use pesticides to keep moths, flies and insects away, and fertilizers to get crops growing. So yes, there is a dilemma. Yes, we should be eating the purest of foods but that means we’ll be paying more. Why? Because there will be more adverse conditions to decrease more of the crops that are growing, which means less food for us. Organic produce is the tailor-made shirt. It’s beautiful, it’s the best and it’s what everyone wants. And we have to pay for it. So what can we do? We can look to buy selected organic produce. Go organic on the fruits and vegetables where the skin is eaten. Buy in-season organic produce. Use every part of the produce where possible to make our money go further.
And where possible, we can grow our own fruit and vegetables at home. It doesn’t matter whether we have a windowsill, a tiny balcony or a big backyard. Just like we live in apartments, houses and farms, plants can make a home for themselves anywhere. They just need the right conditions and some love and attention. With organic soil from the local nursery and some compost, away they’ll grow. We’ll soon appreciate the time and effort our farmers put it to what we are lucky enough to enjoy eating. Relating to living matter is something all of us need to do more often, be it to our food, but especially to ourselves. If we are mindful of what we put into our bodies, we’ll enjoy good health. And that is what “Going Organic” really is about. Bianca C. Ross is the author of Herbert Peabody and His Extraordinary Vegetable Patch published by Farinet Pty Ltd. See www.herbertpeabody.com for details.
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Easter isn’t a If you aren’t a few leftover
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Egg-cellent Easter
about the chocolate but we certainly do eat a lot of it! over chocolate by the time Easter arrives or you have eggs (is there such a thing?) then give these recipes a crack.
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Chocolate Chicken CREME EGG Cakes
Chocolate Mousse
125g butter, softened 3/4 cup caster sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 eggs, lightly beaten 1 1/2 cups SR flour 1/2 cup milk 12 CADBURY CRÈME EGG Minis, unwrapped 250g CADBURY White Chocolate Melts 1/2 cup pure cream yellow food colouring 1 cup shredded coconut 24 brown CADBURY Mini Drops, for decorating 2 dried apricots, cut into triangles, for decorating
4 eggs 200ml of fresh pouring cream 25g butter 200g dark chocolate 1 tablespoon sugar
Makes 12
CREAM together the butter, sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in the eggs, beating well between each addition. Add the flour, milk and food colouring and stir until combined. Spoon half of the mixture into 12 x 1/3 cup capacity paper lined muffins pans. Place a CRÈME EGG in each, then top with remaining mixture. BAKE in a moderate oven 180OC for 15-20 minutes or until cooked when tested. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes before turning out of pan to cool completely. MELT together the chocolate and cream in a bowl over gently simmering water, stirring occasionally, until smooth. Stir in drops of food colour until the ganache is golden egg yellow. Stand ganache at room temperature for 2 hours before refrigerating until firm enough to spread. COMBINE the coconut in a bowl with a few drops of food colour and rub through with fingertips to colour the coconut. ICE each cake with the ganache, top with coconut and arrange Mini Drop “eyes” and apricot “beaks”. Store in an airtight container, refrigerated, until required.
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Serves 4-6
Break the chocolate into small pieces, in a bowl. Bring the cream to boil in a saucepan then pour over the chocolate and stir constantly with a wooden spoon until the chocolate is completely melted. Add in the butter and mix again. Separate the egg whites and beat until stiff with the sugar, using the whisks on high speed. Add in the egg yolks, then beat again for a few seconds. Take a third of the egg mixture and blend into the chocolate mixture. Then blend the chocolate mixture back into the remaining egg mix and delicately fold until even, using a plastic spatula. Pour the mix into a serving bowl and chill for at least 4 hours before serving.
Raisin & Chocolate Hot Crossed Buns Makes 16
4 cups bakers flour 3 tsp dried yeast 1/4 cup caster sugar 2 tsp all spice 60g butter, melted 320ml milk, luke warm 2 x 59g free range eggs, lightly whisked 1/2 cup raisins 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips 1/2 cup plain flour 100ml cold water Glaze 1/4 cup water 2 tbsp caster sugar Place the bakers flour, yeast, sugar, all spice, butter and milk into the large mixing bowl with the dough hooks attached and knead for 1 minute on speed setting 1. Add the eggs and knead for a further 1 minute or until the eggs are completely combined. Remove from the mixing bowl and place into a lightly greased glass bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and place in a warm spot for 1 hour. Line two baking trays with baking paper and canola oil spray and preheat a fan forced oven to 190C. Place dough ball back into the mixing bowl and knead for a further 30 seconds and then cut into 2 pieces. Add the raisins to one dough ball and the chocolate chips to the other dough ball. Knead on a lightly floured surface until completely combined. Cut each dough ball into 8 evenly sized pieces and roll into a ball. Place 8 onto each tray, spaced 5cm apart and cover with plastic wrap and allow to stand for 30 minutes. In a bowl, add the plain flour and cold water and stir until combine. Pour into a piping bag or zip lock bag and cut a 2mm tip off. Draw a cross on top of each hot crossed bun and place into the oven for 20 minutes or until lightly golden brown.
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In a small pot, combine the water and caster sugar and stir over a low heat. Once the sugar has dissolved, allow it to simmer for 4 minutes and then remove from the heat. Using a pastry brush, brush the sugar syrup onto the buns. Recipe courtesy Kambrook from www.aperfectpantry.com.au
Crunchy Milk Chocolate Easter Egg Nests Makes 8
250g CADBURY Milk Chocolate Melts 2 tablespoons KRAFT Crunchy Peanut Butter 100g packet fried noodles 100g packet CADBURY Mini Eggs, for decorating 125g packet CADBURY DAIRY MILK Eggs, for decorating MELT the chocolate and peanut butter together in a bowl over gently simmering water, stirring occasionally until smooth. Remove from the heat, add the noodles and stir to combine. USING 2 spoons make 8 noodle nests on a baking paper lined tray. Allow to set and store in an airtight container until required. FILL each nest with eggs before serving.
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Sheridan has now laun wraps, sleep bags, blan marshmallow, fog, cha classic yet contempora SIDS and Kids as the e Sheridan Baby is avail Jones stores.
Finding stylish storage for your kids room can be a challenge but the new Stacka from Mocka is a fantastic solution. It can be used for almost anything - soft toys, Lego, dolls or arts and crafts. It isn’t just for kids either - use it in the office for storing files and paperwork or in the Lounge Room for storing magazines, books, throws, pillows or even DVD’s. The storage possibilities are endless and if you run out of storage, simply stack another one on top! The Stacka is simple to assemble with no need for fixtures. Simply connect all four sides together. They are just as easy to disassemble when not in use for a flat pack storage option. Available from www.mocka.com.au for $19.95 each.
Designed in Australia by Sara Lundgren for Zakkia is a new range of rustic looking jute storage baskets.Available for purchase exclusively at www.zakkia.com.au prices range from $14.90-$39.90.The Deer Jute Basket features a deer print with leather handles. Great as a laundry basket or feature in any room. It has added stability with a metal wire sewn into the top seam and is lined with plastic.The Round Jute Baskets come in two sizes and are prefect for kitchen storage.Also great to display bread at a party! Made from double layered jute on the sides and lined with plastic on the inside bottom for a super sturdy basket. kidmagazine.com.au 64
home bites
nched the Sheridan Baby collection, which includes swaddle ankets and sheet sets. The timeless designs in gorgeous hues of ambray, white and toile prints allow the stylish mum to create a ary look for their baby’s room. Sheridan has also partnered with exclusive bed linen partner of the community-based organisation. lable in all Sheridan boutiques, sheridan.com.au and selected David
The Big Bed Bumper is a safer, less expensive and more attractive alternative to the traditional bed rail or bed guard. This specially designed bed guard/bed rail is 107cm long, firm foam wedge that stops your child falling out of bed. The Big Bed Bumper is suitable for children of any age who are ready to move to a bed. It is ideal for the transition from cot to ‘big bed’. Just place the bumper on the mattress and pull the fitted sheet over. No more unsightly bed rails/bed guards! The Big Bed Bumper is available from www.bigbedbumper.com for $39.95.
With recent tragic stories of blind cord incidents it is a timely reminder of the need to be vigilant about safety in the home and particularly ensuring that blind cords do not pose a risk to children. According to the ACCC 1-2 Australian children die each year after being strangled by blind or curtain cords. Items such as the Dreambaby® Blind Cord Wrap and Blind Cord Wind-Ups are an affordable and highly effective example of how to keep your little ones safe from a serious danger in the home. Visit dreambaby.com.au or www.facebook.com/ Dreambabysafety for more home safety tips and information.
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Milla’s nursery
Words and styling by Tracey Fried, Instagram @mymillamoo Photography by Simon Pollack, www.gtvone.com
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Becoming pregnant and finding out I was having baby girl I immediately became inspired and excited to prepare for her arrival. My working background had been in fashion and particularly product development, which provided me with a strong basis for my creativity and styling ability. I created a vision for her room and spent most of my days (and waking hours) sourcing all things nursery. The room has white walls, neutral carpet and white plantation shutters so it had a simple palette that allowed me to adapt any colour scheme. My initial thoughts and personal style led me to go with pinks, beiges and white. I wanted it to look pastel pink, girly, pretty and calm. Nothing bright or bold for this baby’s room. With fashion in my blood, the styling and sourcing aspects came quite naturally to me and it was such a pleasure to be designing a nursery for my very own baby girl. I have a passion for hunting, gathering and styling and I am so happy with the finished product. It puts a smile on my face every time I walk into Milla’s nursery and is a joy to spend time in there. It’s a thrill when people see it and say “wow” it’s beautiful! The steps to designing the nursery began by determining what furniture I needed. My sister provided me a virtually new white Boori cot. As the cot was white, I decided that all other furniture items would be white. I wanted to ensure that the other furniture matched perfectly even in respect to the white tones and gloss finish, so I chose a Boori change table and drawer unit so I would be certain that the white finish of the joinery would be consistent. The final step was to bring colour into the nursery via soft furnishings, accessories and toys. I had the vision of colours and chose items like the pastel pink apple crate and pink quatrefoil pillow that formed the basis of the palette that I would build upon. The process of designing my own daughter’s room has inspired me to focus on styling and decorating nurseries and kids rooms. You can now find me on Instagram @mymillamoo showcasing all things nursery and selling some of my favourite nursery products.
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Key pieces: • Framed “Miss Paris” folded paper dress made by my friend Marcelle Crosby. • White Lilly and Lolly Sweetheart toy box • Trio of chevron prints from Etsy • Pink ceramic side table (I was so excited to find one in pink) • Milla’s Toys toy box made from an apple crate • Monogrammed Milla wall decal. • Pink quatrefoil pillow that I picked up at a store in Mornington. • Ballerina music box that was a gift • George Jensen pink money elephant • Lumbini rug in rose from Mondo Cherry • Zuny brown leather elephant book end
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Create a mummy sanctuary in five easy steps Sara Keli, Kid Magazine Editor
mum /mʌm/ noun A woman who gives tirelessly of herself to others, invented the word multi-task and can’t remember the last time she went to the toilet alone. Being a mum is the best job in the world and you wouldn’t give it up for anything. But sometimes, just sometimes it would be nice to get away from it all. Escape the routine (or chaos) and immerse yourself in a state of deep relaxation. The reality is, whether it be time, budget or other pressures most of us don’t get much time to ourselves between nappy changing, feeding, driving to school/sport/play dates, cooking dinner, hanging out the washing, feeding the pets…
1. Think about where in your home you feel most relaxed. Your bedroom may be a good place to start or a cosy nook in the corner of your living space. If the room has a lock even better!
As a kid we always used to spend our holidays at Forster/ Tuncurry. Now when I go there as an adult I instantly feel lighter. It is the one place that I can instantly relax. I smell the familiar scents and instantly relax. I sleep better and time slows down. You can create a similar feeling in your own home with a mini mummy sanctuary, dedicated to relaxation and mummy time. You don’t need hundreds of dollars to visit a day spa or a weekend to go to a health retreat. Just a simple setup at home and you are on your way.
3. Pick an activity that relaxes you and place it in your sanctuary ready to go. A book you have been trying to finish, or in fact never started. The blanket you have been knitting for the last three winters or your iPad to catch up on the latest issue of Kid Magazine.
2. Place a comfy chair with a small table next to it. If you don’t have a lounge chair that can be moved, you can pick up an inexpensive beanbag at Kmart or Big W, which will do the job just as well.
4. Deck out your space with a few other relaxation essentials. A candle that reminds you of a favourite place, a photo of your honeymoon destination or a cd with some tranquil tunes. 5. Arrange for your partner or a friend or grandparent to look after the kids for an hour or if you are lucky enough to good sleepers, wait until their nap or bedtime. Make a cup of tea, coffee or pour yourself a glass of wine and head to your sanctuary. You might only read a few pages of your book or knit a few extra rows in your blanket but taking a few minutes to yourself each day will do wonders for you. A happy mum means happy kids so do yourself a favour and relax.
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Where
Sara Keli, Kid Magazine Editor Images courtesy Dulux
dreams are made
A place to dream, learn and grow, designing a nursery is one of the most exciting activities for parents-to-be. More than just a place for baby to sleep, you will spend hours settling baby, reading books and playing together - and as a parent watching the rise and fall of your precious little ones chest while they dream the night away. No matter the size of your baby’s room, whether it has previously been used as a spare room, study or the junk room essential to any home, you can still create a beautiful space to nurture your bubba and it doesn’t have to cost the earth. All it takes is a little ‘outside the box’ thinking and a dash of creativity. Some simple tips from the experts will have you on your way. The first thing to start with when thinking about your nursery is colour theme. A tired room that hasn’t seen much love can be transformed into a room fit for your precious bundle with a weekend spent applying a coat or two of paint. Andrea Lucena-Orr, Dulux Colour & Communications Manager says of current colour trends, “Schemes and trends for nurseries are still soft and neutral, depending on the overall design. For younger babies simplicity and subtle colours tend to be the most popular, such as warm whites, soft blues/greens and pinks into the blush area.”
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Neutral schemes work well for both genders, which is perfect for those mums and dads who decide to keep baby’s gender a secret. While pregnant with my daughter, I was asked countless times “Aren’t you going to find out what you are having? How will you know what colour to paint the room?” I had already decided on a neutral scheme with accent colours of pink and green that could easily be updated as baby becomes a toddler and older. Feature walls are also a fabulous way to add intrigue in a nursery. Lucena-Orr explains, “Feature walls and patterns are such an easy way of adding colour and texture, however, not overwhelming a nursery space. Many nursery spaces are not huge in size, so adding a pattern or feature colour, or simply adding some key pieces of furniture with an interesting colour or pattern, can introduce colour and texture and importantly make the space feel like a baby’s domain.” Furniture is the next big decision you need to make. If you
are on a tight budget, look to reuse existing furniture around the house or accept hand-me-downs from family and friends. A timber cot can be given a second life when painted to suit your colour scheme. Dulux also have a range of metallic and chalkboard paints that can add some fun. A cot with a chalkboard end will provide hours of fun when your little one starts drawing, or add a metallic touch to the cot railings to really grab the attention. An old dressing table can also double as a change table with a change mat added to the top along with a basket or two for storing nappies, wipes and other change table necessities. Old bookshelves can be used for storage or as a feature in the room. Think about the furniture you want in the room and work from there. You will need a cot, change table, drawers or cupboard for furniture storage and a comfy chair for feeding and reading. You will also accumulate a lot of toys in a very short space of time so a toy box is a good idea. Again, think creatively about what you may already have lying around the
house. An old crate perhaps? I recovered my toy box from when I was a child in the same fabric as a cushion cover I had made for a personal touch in our nursery. Finally play with the space you have available. I love having the cot visible from the doorway so that I don’t have to walk into the nursery and risk waking baby up. If you have a small room take measurements when you go shopping so you don’t end up with an overcrowded space. Take some time to play with different layouts. Move the furniture around in the room to see what it will look like in different positions. It might take a few iterations but better to move it now than once baby has arrived and you don’t have the capacity to think about having a shower let alone where your change table will go! Enjoy creating your nursery and don’t be afraid to try different things. Hit pinterest and create mood boards to inspire you and let your nursery be as unique as your baby’s beautiful personality.
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Andrea Lucena-Orr’s five tips for designing a nursery 1. Decide on an overall theme, thinking about your existing furniture, soft furnishings and any new pieces to introduce. 2. Select your scheming style (one colour, contrasting, two colours, etc.) and whether you are introducing colour on one or two walls or all four. 3. Think about creating an interesting pattern or mural to incorporate colour/ texture in a different way. This could be as elaborate as a colourfully designed mural or pattern or as subtle as a simple colour for a chalkboard shape. 4. Be adventurous here...a nursery is a fun space to create and be playful with design. Remember you will need to change this space as your baby grows, so you may as well have some fun! 5. Colour can help the nursery space feel more cosy, nurturing and elicit happiness. Even if you want a clean, white space try and introduce colours into your soft furnishings or furniture to give the space some contrast between the white.
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April/May 2014 - issue Fourteen