Bayside MamaMag Oct/Nov 2019 by MamaMag

BAYSIDE

mamamAg Oct/Nov 2019

WIN 1 of 4 VIP famIly passes to santaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s magIcal kIngdom Fashion & Beauty Dare more, care less The beautiful truth Style me over Time for me

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summer Is comIng All hail the mighty sunshine! Summer most certainly is coming. As I type this it is a balmy 24 degrees outside and mama couldn’t be happier. It’s also the last day of the school term and that means a week of fun adventures coming up with my kids before I hit week two, ship them off to dad, and go back into work mode getting my small army of 25 out on the streets delivering this very magazine. School holidays always offer such opportunity for different fun and excitement though. New movies out at the cinema (did you catch Abominable, it’s so awesome?), interesting holiday activities at a host of locations, impromptu car rides to destinations old and new (we hit Enchanted Adventure Garden recently and the tree surfing was incredible). We’d love to hear what fun stuff you got up to. Make sure you tag us in your Instagram posts if you’re hitting a fabulous family friendly spot. Sunshine and Summer means time to up my beauty routine and drag out that Summer wardrobe. We are talking all about plenty of fashion and beauty this issue with some wonderful insights into styling, self-love, beauty and more. I was also lucky to talk to some amazing women who are doing awesome stuff. Tiffiny Hall, one of the fittest mums around, shares with us insights into her life as a mum and her gorgeous new children’s book. We spoke with the amazing mums behind the new TV series Behind the Sash, a journey of four powerhouse women who shine a light on different issues of injustice both in Australia and abroad. And is it really Summer if you don’t cook some lamb on the BBQ? Check out Relish Mama’s recipes on page 24. Ahh-mazing. There are heaps of great things on in the lead up to Christmas. The Charlie and the Chocolate Factory musical is a must with the kids! You’ll find plenty of stuff going on with your local councils, the new Addam’s Family movie hits Dec 5, and there is plenty of fun at the Bellarine Railway with their Santa trains. Speaking of Santa... Santa’s Magical Kingdom is always a winner at Caulfield Racecourse. Make sure you enter our competition to win VIP tickets to that! Until next time xx @localmamamag

Local fun for everyone • Bayside • Eastside • Northside • Westside

WIN

Contents Dare more, care less

Self-love and style

It is time for me

Take a day for yourself

Parklife 12

1 of 4 VIP Family Passes

Visiting McKinnon Reserve

Turn the page

Mama’s top book picks

A first time for...

Worth

$240 eac

Chatting with Tiffiny Hall

The beautiful truth

Beware of brand claims

Mama can cook

Dinner with Relish Mama

Behind the sash

A doco making a difference

We love a mother

Linda Tsiokas - Beautiful Body Clinics

Inside out beauty

Collagen uncovered

Emotionally aware

Best books for helping kids cope

Colour to WIN

Tickets to Spot at The Arts Centre

Star of the show

Talent agent tips

It’s cool to be kind A mum’s story

Enter at www.mamamag.com.au/smk

Join Santa, Mrs. Claus and their friends as they share the magical Christmas spirit at the Saturday 23rd Nov 6pm session of Santa’s Magical Kingdom at Caulfield Racecourse. Entries are open to Victorian residents only. Competition starts Oct 1st 12.01am and closes Oct 31st 2019 at 11.59pm. Tickets may not re-sold or redeemed for cash. Visit www.mamamag.com.au/competitions for full terms and conditions.

santasmagicalkingdom.com.au MamaMag is published bi-monthly for the mums of Melbourne’s South by Grizzle Design Pty Ltd. ABN: 26 042 138 550. PO Box 8018 Brighton East 3187 Phone: 1300 771 446 Email: info@mamamag.com.au www.mamamag.com.au | www.grizzledesign.com.au

12,500 copies per issue distributed bi-monthly across Melbourne’s South with 50,000 copies in total across all four MamaMag areas: Bayside • Eastside • Northside • Westside. Editor in Chief/Creative Director: Sarah Cavalier: sarah@mamamag.com.au Westside Advertising Manager: Olivia Wilson: olivia@mamamag.com.au Melbourne-wide Key Account Manager: Clare Betts: clare@mamamag.com.au Want to write for us or have an article idea? submissions@mamamag.com.au The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the publishing staff. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited without permission of the publishers.

MamaMag Oct/Nov 2019

Health related articles are designed to be informative and educational. They are not intended to provide specific medical advice or replace one-on-one advice from your health practitioner.

DARE MORE CARE LESS How to dare more, care less this Summer Having self-love is so on trend right now and thank f*#k… it’s about time. However, rather than a passing trend like neon or flatforms, why not make self-love a classic – an heirloom that’s passed down to the next generation like Nonna’s silk Gucci scarf. But it’s hard to keep that self-love habit when life throws colostrum, mastitis and post-partum baby bodies your way. It’s tough to “love yourself sick” when you’re covered in it. It’s not easy to “feel yourself” when the last time you did was to check your lady-bits were still intact. Motherhood is beautiful but messy, so if like me you’re more likely to be standing in Ikea selfcheckout with overtired kids cracking the shits, than on an Italian rooftop sipping Rosé, believe me when I say you don’t need to, to live a bold, joyful stylish life this summer. Embrace and enjoy your current self. Unconditionally celebrate who you are now and express yourself. Not if you drop that last 10 kilos. Not if you got this injectable. Not if this bit or that bit was smaller, flatter or firmer. Now. Style is not formulaic. It’s as individual as one’s fingerprint. And it’s an inside job. No matter how gloriously joyful motherhood is, it’s normal to feel the relentless baby-centric schedule erasing your identity. An easy fix is to create those moments of “you” in your clothes. You can still have functionality and express your individuality. They are not mutually exclusive. But for the environment and the global sisterhood’s sake, don’t fall into the mum trap of buying cheap clothes with no connection.

Curate, don’t consume Accept your body and lifestyle is evolving. Keep your style formula simple and make a conscious decision on every single piece you buy – even if it is just a T-Shirt. Make sure you love it and want to wear it a lot as opposed to “I just need something to fit me”. Look to other budget happy options and ways to connect with other mothers. Over consumption often comes from a lack of connection, feelings of loneliness, insecurity and low self-esteem. Organise a fun clothes swap playdate.

Know your neutrals For me, metallics are a neutral so I’ve curated a plethora of metallic clothing, accessories and a small enough heel in which I can still wrangle kids and a runaway dog . So if you love leopard print, polka dots, bold colour or sparkle, don’t just buy pieces that only get out on rare special occasions, buy items that add flashes of “You” to make that long line in the bank less of a drag… for everyone. Style is about being yourself on purpose, whether you are pregnant, new mum or mama on the run with kids, but summer can be a challenge as the usual mum uniform of jeans becomes unbearable. By Sally Steele. Sally is a 48 yr old mum of two, a stylist, mentor, speaker and author of new style/self- help book Dare More, Care Less® www.daremorecareless.com - featuring 36 real women of all ages from around the world for #realstreetstyle inspiration.

3 pieces for my high impact, low maintenance summer style 1. A lightweight statement layer This can be your style savior – easily chuck over a basic feeding vest and denim cut offs, add a cool Panama and statement sunnies and no one will notice you’ve been up all night with a colicky baby. Look for reversible options, breathable fabrics in colour, sequins or print in a silky bomber, kimono or blazer. 2. A throw on dress that can go from day to night Find at least one summer dress that does not need ironing, or shapewear to look good. Opt for a maxi or a jumpsuit if you can’t face shaving your legs. Never buy a piece unless it can work at least threeways – eg: looks good with sandals for a daytime BBQ, can be styled up for evening event, or you can add millinery for the polo or a wedding. 3. A sunsafe swimsuit that makes you feel like a Bond Girl. Australia is number one for skin cancer and melanoma globally. We are all super careful about looking after our kids, but how many of us are walking our talk? It’s possible to have maximum sun protection and statement style. There are a lot of brands out there but my #ultimateonepiece is SunSoaked Swim & Resort, - designed by an Aussie mum in her 40s and fitted on real bodies, changing the way women feel in swimwear. So, don’t sit on the sidelines this summer. Make fun memories with the people you love. Remember it’s not the clothes, but the stories you create in them that matters.

It Is tIme for me When was the last time you took some time out for yourself? And I don’t mean sneaking off for a quick mani/pedi. I mean full-blown day-out, overnighter or weekend/week off, sans kids. When did you last get together with the girls, shoot off on a road trip, hang out the sunroof like a wild-child and let yourself go? I remember when my kids were babies, we had a holiday house at Jan Juc, and on the first day of Summer I’d leave the kids with their dad and sneak off for a pedicure to start the break with pretty toes. It felt so luxurious at the time. So exciting to have some time off from my babes and to not worry about them for an hour. An hour! Was that really all I got? Fast forward 10 years, and today I’ll more than happily leave the kids, for days on end. Granted my situation is a little different to most, as a family of divorce I frequently get days away from my kids when they are with their dad, but even then, I need to be mindful that I’m using this time properly for some self-love and metime. It can’t be all work and chores, although it’s so much easier cleaning the house when they are not home! The importance of self-care, especially for mothers, is taken much more seriously these days, and for good reason too. If you take care of yourself,

you are ultimately going to a better mother, a better wife (well I failed that bit!) and a better person. Who doesn’t want to be happier? I recently test drove a new Holden Acadia with Liv from the office and snuck off to the Mornington Peninsula for a mum’s day out. Holden ‘Take Your Time’ test drives are valid for up to 24 hours, so why wouldn’t you hit the freeway for an adventure? First stop Peninsula Hot Springs! This is the ultimate girls-day-out location where you can bathe, eat and be pampered to your hearts content. The bath house ampitheatre is a really cool addition I hadn’t seen since my last visit and we chomped down on delicious pizza in between pool hopping our way through some of their 50 experiences. Sure, not everybody can take a sneaky friday off, and Liv must be thinking I’m the best boss ever, but I highly recommend you consciously think about planning your next day or weekend out for a kid-free recharge. After all, you deserve it. Being a mum is the hardest job in the world. But also the most rewarding!

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STYLE ME OVER I’m a Melburnian through and through (and I’m also a qualified stylist and colour analyst, confidence coach, wife, and mama to three little boys!).

best. The change was so instantaneous it was jaw dropping. I thrived off the rush I got from seeing these women transform in front of my eyes, in style and confidence.

I was born here and practically grew up in the back room of my father’s shop in the heart of the city, which also happens to be where I met my first true love - fashion. I loved watching my father style the business men and seeing how it transformed their energy, and this brought on the realisation that more people, women especially, needed to feel this too!

Today my mission is simple - to help women understand, accept and love the body they are in now, not the body they once had or hope to one day attain! I understand the importance of feeling radiant, fabulous and confident as you step out of the house each day, and I’m passionate about helping women experience that same euphoria with their own personal style.

I knew from a very young age that I wanted to get into this industry to make a difference. This led me to going into all girls’ colleges some ten years ago to talk about body image, confidence and self-esteem. My message was simple and is something I preach and practice even today. I wanted these girls to know that their sunshine was theirs alone to own and to create, and no one could steal it from them. (And if you’re reading this, I want you to know that too!) I truly believed that getting to girls at such a vulnerable, impressionable age was crucial, and would help shape them into strong, confident women later in life.

What truly sets me apart, however, is my strong belief in the power of women supporting one another and building each other up. In fact, my commitment to this message has been the driving factor behind a number of workshops and events held in and around Melbourne, focusing on confidence and style.

“Your sunshine is yours alone to own and to create, and no one can steal that from you.” Following this, I tried to go down a number of fashion-avenues, including styling for fashion parades and photoshoots. Nothing really felt right or clicked – till I tried personal styling. I pretty much had my dream job. I mean, what woman wouldn’t want to go shopping with other women, giving them style and wardrobe makeovers as a job?! I quickly realised that I could transform someone’s self-confidence with the clothes I put them in and help them hold on to this confidence by simply teaching them about their body shape and which colours suit them

“I want every woman to feel beautiful and confident within themselves and express it through their style” Where to next, you ask? My goal from here, my big ‘WHY’ in life really, is to change the way young girls and women perceive themselves and their bodies. Research has shown that self-image is formed at an extremely young age, and a majority of young girls in high school are already engaging in negative self-talk, manifesting self-esteem and confidence issues that go on to last a lifetime. My goal is to shatter these perceptions and encourage young girls to love and more importantly, accept themselves for who they are. I’m on a mission to establish a government-funded high-school program on resilience, positive self-talk and confidence by the year 2027. This may sound overly-ambitious, but then again, all big things start small! Aim for the stars, and you’ll land on the moon.

Here are my top five tips to feel radiant, fabulous and confident: 1. HOW TO CREATE YOUR STYLE Choose 3 words you want to feel when you leave the house and dress to how you want to feel – not the way you want to look. Mine are: Confident, Effortless and Comfortable, so there for I go for colour, fit and easy combinations. 2. COLOUR Only mix colours that truly suit your complexion, hair and eyes – you want to wear colours that make you feel good not colours that wear you and you don’t feel your true self. Don’t be scared of colour! Colour will lift your mood and worn correctly can help you glow. 3. #POPYOURLIPS Choose your favourite shade of colour and #popyourlips to lift your mood and to take a moment for your self-care and self-love. I’m all about the feels here at Style Me Over. The #popyourlips hashtag perfectly encapsulates my motto on how to instantly feel brighter on those not-so-fab days we all have every now and then. Taking a quick moment to do something small for yourself like popping on a bright shade of lippy can really do wonders! Such is my commitment to the message that I’ve even created some fabulously hot tees with POPPIN’ lips to get it out there. 4. CREATE A GOOD BASE Like the foundation of a house is crucial, so are the essentials in your wardrobe. Choose good well-fitting jeans, quality underwear that makes you feel confident and supports your shape, quality shoes, a blazer or an outer jacket and a few tops that again make you feel good! Everything else you can mix in and out. 5. IGNORE SIZING Sizing means nothing – forget about the number or letter on your size tag – it’s all about how it fits each body shape and what’s comfortable to you. All styles and fabrics fall and fit differently – it’s best to try things on or if buying online be clear on how the garment is meant to fit with the description provided.

By Melina Bagnato - Style Me Over Oakleigh. Style Me Over is a fashion boutique and an online store that focuses on empowering women to look and feel their best through bespoke collections featuring high-quality, affordable styles. www.stylemeover.com

Parklife McKInNON Reserve Our kids are loving the new playground at McKinnon Reserve which opened a few months back. Naturally the giant multi-level tower structure, with its huge green slides, is the stand out here and great for bigger kids, but there is a really lovely decking area around a gorgeous old tree which houses some smaller slides for the smaller kids. This area is connected to the tower by a fun rope-net bridge. Whilst they kept the cool old metal parkour unit everything else is shiny and new! Monkey bars and scramble net, rock climbing wall, one of those cute Kompan cubbies, spinning net frame, hammock, a five-way swing structure, seesaw,

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balance beams and even a little wooden village shop and gas station where kids on scooters and bikes can â&#x20AC;&#x153;fill upâ&#x20AC;?! Bringing the pet dog? The northern end of McKinnon Reserve, including the playground and main oval is an on-leash area, whilst the southern end of the park (oval two) is an offleash area for your active dog. Council will also be adding a modified basketball court, a custom bouldering wall and additional social seating soon. Brand new toilets finish off this excellent all rounder.

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turn the page How I Beat My Bully, by Melbourne dad Niels van Hove Alice is a kind and fun girl. Alice does well at school, but something terrible is happening to her. She’s being bullied by someone she thought was her friend. She is heavily impacted, up to the point that she tells her mother she doesn’t want to live anymore. However, with some help of her mother, she discovers her inner strength, learns how to stand up for herself, makes new friends and realises that deep inside she is stronger than her bully. How I Beat My Bully provides both children and adults with an opportunity to discuss bullying and the severe impact of it. 5 to 8 years. Available on Amazon RRP $12.95 www.amazon.com.au www.mentaltoughness.online

My Mummy’s Magic by Shaun Bartlett Understanding where babies come from and appreciating the changes and demands on a mother’s body can be challenging for young children. My Mummy’s Magic helps them to connect with the concept of pregnancy through a child’s eyes and vivid imagination, laid out in lively art. Although the story can be enjoyed by any parent and child, it has been written so that mothers and mothers-to-be have an avenue to bond with their children over one of the most significant, but sometimes underappreciated, events of their lives. Through rhythmical rhymes, curious creatures and just a dash of magic, the baby recounts every step of the way until Mummy makes her greatest wish of all... There has never been a better answer to “where do baby’s come from?”. Available at www.littlesteps.com.au. RRP $24.95.

The Urban Escapees, by Susan Ramage The Urban Escapees is a wonderfully crafted children’s book which shows children that with increased high density living, our trees, large gardens, bushland and native flora are often demolished. The book demonstrates how this not only changes the environment for humans themselves, but also endangers the wildlife and bird life as these creatures’ homes, habitats and food supply are drastically diminished or destroyed. www.greenolivepress.com RRP $19.95

I AM ME by Silvana Philippoussis In a world that’s constantly changing, I Am Me helps create a sense of self for our little readers whilst celebrating the beauty of uniqueness. Filled with beautiful illustrations and positive messages, ‘I Am Me’ is an interactive picture book that encourages the uniqueness of every child’s well as helps build a sense of self for a little ones through making choices... What’s your favorite color, food or sport? ages 1-5 Purchase via official website www.colourfulhand.com.or in store at The Younger Sun Bookshop in Yarraville and Book & Paper, Williamstown. RRP $17.95.

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A FIrst TIme for... Tiffiny Hall, who first rose to fame as a Gladiator then a trainer on The Biggest Loser, has many titles tucked under her black belt. This strong mama, to two-year-old Arnold, has many talents. Tiffiny is a 6th Dan taekwondo instructor, a Logie nominated TV presenter, a sports coach (she is transforming lives with her health and fitness online program TIFFXO.com) and has published many books, both health and nutrition based as well as many children’s books. Turns out writing really is her thing! Tiff has a Bachelor of Arts/Media and Communications majoring in creative writing and journalism and a Diploma of Modern Languages (French) from the University of Melbourne! Of course she also has a Cert III & IV in Fitness and a Diploma of Sport Coaching with a specialisation in martial arts, plus she is currently completing a dual Diploma in Business and Fitness and her pilates qualifications. Go mama! Tiff commenced her writing career as a journalist, before publishing her first health and fitness books, and in recent years has moved into children’s books. Her latest book, co-written with husband and comedian Ed Kavalee, is called ‘A First Time for Everything’. This gorgeous picture book is a hilarious and relatable story (based on Tiff and Ed’s first year as parents) that perfectly captures all the messy, glorious chaos of a baby’s first year. We chat to Tiff about writing, fitness, life in the spotlight and the endless juggle of motherhood!

Firstly, tell us a bit about your little family. Arnold just turned two and we survived! Ed and I are busy, like any family, juggling work schedules, Arnold’s routine, family and fun. But it’s a glorious chaotic mess. We are out of the firsts and moving onto the seconds, about to tackle toilet training!

What made you decide to pursue arts, media and comms at uni? I loved writing. I scored a perfect 50/50 for 16

literature, classics, philosophy and english in VCE. I won the John Marsden award for creative writing and was mentored by John himself for many years. I loved creative writing but also media. Back then media was very different. No social media. I studied print journalism and broadcast. Both have come in handy as I still write so much, everything from my tiffxo blog, magazine articles, books, EDMs, fitness programs. Even though I gave away journalism after I worked in my first TV job, I still use those skills every day.

You have such a diverse career across both writing and fitness. Your love of fitness came from your own mother. Tell us more about her. Mum was one of the first females to earn her black belt qualification in a male dominated sport. She has taught women fitness and been all about empowering women for decades. I grew up watching the effects of her training women – they always left class smiling, feeling more confident and telling her things like ‘they had more guts’. Guts to go for a work promotion, buy a house, put themselves out there. So it wasn’t just the ‘physical’ mum was impacting, I saw her shifting women’s ‘mindsets and self-esteem’. That’s what I wanted to do. I wanted to impact women’s self worth. Mum role modelled healthy eating and exercise but none of it was strict. She walked her talk, but she was was all about fun and loving food. No deprivation of food or exercise by punishment. It was never about working out to ‘look’ good, but working out to ‘feel’ good.

With such a public fitness profile you were no doubt expected to ‘bounce back’ after Arnold was born. Tell us what you really did! Ha! I didn’t. I bounced forward ever so slowly. There was so much pressure. I said “no” to that and instead slowly and safely returned to exercise. I knew that if I punished myself to

bounce back I would hurt my relationship with exercise which I love and cherish. I also didn’t want to jeopardise my milk supply by going too hard, or sacrifice one precious moment in the baby bubble with my first born. I soaked up that time, returned to fitness when I was good and ready and took my members and audience along for the ride. I didn’t want to be a bad example and mislead women. I feel the responsibility of having a public fitness profile and wanted to teach women responsibly, that connection to your body again after birth (no matter how you birth) takes time and self love.

How has becoming a mum changed you? Gosh I am so much more flexible and patient. If my day is derailed I say “ah-well, there’s always tomorrow”. I am the Master of a reset! I don’t turn a bad day into a bad week or punish myself or berate myself. I am so much more forgiving and give myself a break. I say “girl, there’s a lot going on. You’re tired, take a bath, don’t do that workout!” I take the pressure off. As mums, we think we need to do it all and be it all. I say “take the pressure off and do your best”. I used to be a perfectionist. Now I’m a recovering perfectionist – and I strongly believe good enough is good enough!

without being strict. Find something flexible that works with kids, because you can’t be rigid with kids. They come first and we have to work around them.

And finally, there are plenty of funny references in your book ‘A First Time for Everything’. Care to share with us your funniest parenting moment to date? It’s got to be the first time Arnold laughed. Ed was trying so hard with jokes and faces and as a professional comedian he was really taking it to heart that he couldn’t make Arnold laugh. Then one day Ed tripped on the lounge room rug and Arnold burst out laughing. As did I! That made it into the book. A First Time for Everything by Tiffiny Hall and Ed Kavalee and Illustrated by Anil Tortop. Published by Allen & Unwin. allenandunwin.com RRP $19.99.

What’s your favourite thing about being a mum? The phases! I love the phases. Solids to eating with cutlery, from bassinet to cot, from bath seat to sitting in the bath on his own, to having a shower with dad. From Arnold’s obsession with cars to construction trucks and diggers, to his most recent obsession with Paw Patrol – I just love the phases. Crawling to walking to talking. He is talking! There’s nothing my son doesn’t say. His favourite phrase is “Hakuna Matata – no worries” or “Gee whiz mumma!” It kills me. So cute.

Best piece of advice for a busy mum trying to make time for a healthy lifestyle? Find a coach and an expert your trust. Have a plan that includes Plan A and Plan B. Plan A doesn’t always happen when you’re ready to go and your baby does a poonami, so you need Plan B! There are so many ways to give to yourself 17

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SWIMMING CAPABILITY STATISTICS SOURCE: Royal Life Saving Society Australia FORMAL SWIMMING LESSONS STATISTIC SOURCE: American Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine 2019 SUMMER DROWNINGS SOURCE: theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/jan/02/drownings-in-australia-up-51-on-last-summer-after-five-men-die-on-new-years-day

LEARN FROM THE SURVIVAL SPECIALISTS Paul Sadler Carrum Downs 149 Hall Rd, Carrum Downs (03) 9782 9444 carrumdowns@paulsadlerswimland.com paulsadlerswimland.com

Paul Sadler Narre Warren 101 Seebeck Drive, Narre Warren (03) 8790 5540 narrewarren@paulsadlerswimland.com

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the beautIful truth We’ve all seen it before - brands making claims and promises that invariably fail to deliver. These subtle (and not so subtle) marketing tactics have been around for years and are usually what determines the success of the product. However, as consumers are becoming more savvy and reading between the lines, marketers are becoming even more clever when it comes to marketing a product. Enter Greenwashing. This is a term used to describe when a brand makes claims to be green and natural through their marketing, yet when you delve a little deeper, chances are there is more effort put into the perception rather than the actual practice. It’s when a brand promotes their products using unsubstantiated or misleading claims that lead the customer to believe that their products are natural, green or organic (when it’s actual fact, they’re only partially, or in worst cases, not at all). Brands are strategically choosing words on labelling based purely on marketability and because the governing of this practice can be tricky, some brands are getting away with it. Terms like ‘natural’, ‘organic’, ‘naturally derived’, ‘green’ and ‘dermatologist approved’ are all claims that are seemingly everywhere on skincare labels but sit in a grey area of confusion and unsubstantiated claims.

‘Natural’ A term seen on a lot of beauty and skincare products and for those that are mindful about what they’re putting on their skin, the word ‘natural’ can be the thing that gets the purchase across the line. However, unfortunately the term natural is often misused, and in some cases can mean that only a small percentage of a product’s ingredients is plant based or what was originally ‘natural’, has now in fact gone through a production process which now results in a less-than-natural form.

‘Naturally derived’ In essence refers to ingredients that are derived from nature but the process means that it is then delivered in an unnatural form (so it sounds natural but may be laden in chemicals). The phrase basically implies that components once came from a natural source but they have been altered in some way, usually delivering a chemically laden form of the original ingredient.

‘Dermatologist approved’ Sounds great in theory because who wouldn’t want to buy a product which has been endorsed by a professional, however unfortunately the case is normally that the dermatologist has been paid a nice little fee to promote the brand and its products. Which then means there’s usually little, if any, standardised testing gone into the product (meaning it could potentially be harmful for the skin).

Brands are strategically choosing words on labelling based purely on marketability ‘Toxic chemicals and #8217; Many natural brands make a lot of noise in regards to the toxic chemicals that aren’t contained in their products, such as parabens, petrochemicals, phthalates, sulphates etc. This is a great way of shifting the focus to what’s not in their products, rather than discussing what actually is. A lot of the time these same brands contain ‘toxic chemicals’ or substitutes which are either as bad or even worse. An example of this is when brands will replace a fragrance with essential oils which have the potential to be far more sensitising to the skin than the fragrance (this is just so they can claim the ‘natural’ high ground). It’s like adding chlorine or arsenic to your product and saying they are good for us because they are natural.

‘Free from’ This is a great tactic employed by marketers to shift the focus from what’s actually in the product. We’ve seen the labels stating ‘free from parabens, sulphates etc etc, and yet chances are the product still contains toxins. Also know that many brands don’t include a full listing of their ingredients. Usually what can be left out is the synthetic emulsifiers and preservatives. Whilst there are mandatory standards in Australia for ingredients labelling, some ingredients can be called something else, or under a banner term (such as mentioned earlier when talking about fragrances).

What else? In addition to important words and phrases used on product labels, you may also want to consider why you are buying the product. Just because it’s a ‘cult product’, has the cool factor or comes with pseudoscientific claims, doesn’t mean it will be right for your skin. Marketers spend hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to make you want to buy a product and remember that they do a great job at it! Don’t believe everything you read and if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is! By Ross Macdougald, Cosmetic Chemist and founder of Australian brand Biologi, the only 100% active organic plant serum in the world. www.biologi.com.au

mama can Cook! Whole roasted cauliflower with herby tahini yoghurt Ingredients

1 large head of cauliflower 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil 40g unsalted butter, melted Sea salt flakes Herby tahini yoghurt 1 cup of natural or Greek yoghurt Juice of 1 lemon Âź cup tahini (hulled) A good handful of fresh parsley leaves, roughly chopped Sea salt Freshly cracked black pepper To serve Barberries or pomegranate seeds Fresh herbs

Method Leave the stems and leaves on the cauliflower but give them a little trim if you need to. Bring a large saucepan to the boil. Add 2 teaspoons of sea salt. Place whole cauliflower in the water, stem side facing up at you and boil for 8 minutes. Allow to air dry in a colander (stem facing downwards now) for 10-15 minutes). Preheat oven to 220oC. Rub the cauliflower all over with extra virgin olive oil and melted butter. Sprinkle with sea salt. Place cauliflower in a baking dish (florets facing up) and bake for 30-40 minutes. I like to let it get burnt in places which gives a really fabulous flavour. Remove from the oven when it is golden all over and place on a serving plate. To serve, place the cauliflower on a platter. Spoon over the herby tahini yoghurt and finish with barberries. Drizzle with a little extra virgin olive oil and a small sprinkling of sea salt. Finish with fresh herbs.

Recipes by Bayside mum Nellie Kerrison from Relish Mama, Melbourne’s muchloved cooking school and dinner party experience. www.relishmama.com.au

Dukkah crusted lamb cutlets with pomegranate molasses Ingredients

Method

1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses

Whisk pomegranate molasses and honey in small bowl and set aside.

1 tablespoon honey

To make the yoghurt dressing, mix together the yoghurt with 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice as well as ¼ cup tahini paste.

8 small lamb cutlets, well trimmed 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 tablespoons dukkah Yoghurt dressing ½ cup natural or Greek yoghurt ¼ cup tahini paste Juice of ½ lemon Sea salt

Season lamb well with salt and olive oil while your bbq grill is reaching optimum temperature. You are looking for direct heat (all burners are on). Once ready to grill, place cutlets on bbq and cook for 2 minutes on each side (total 4 minutes). This a delicate cut of meat so following the timing above will ensure medium rare. Transfer lamb to a plate and very loosely cover with foil to rest and keep warm for just 1-2 minutes. Holding each cutlet by bone end, dip both sides of meat in dukkah to coat and transfer to platter. Drizzle pomegranate mixture over cutlets and serve and dollop on the tahini yoghurt.

1 DECEMBER 2019 –– ST.KILDA ENTER BEFORE 5 NOVEMBER

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Arts Centre Melbourne presents a CDP Kids & Salspot Production

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13 – 17 November Arts Centre Melbourne artscentremelbourne.com.au Presented by arrangement with Salspot Limited, part of Penguin Random House. Copyright © Salspot Ltd 2019. Original artwork © The Eric and Gillian Hill Family Trust 2013-2019. FUN WITH SPOT™ Salspot Ltd. All rights reserved.

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behInd the sash Juxtaposition much? Melbourne mum Danielle can’t help but laugh.“There is a running joke within my cast and crew about the amount of times I have used the word juxtaposition in the last six months, but that is pretty much the word that sums up my life right now!” During April this year, two of the most significant events of Danielle McAlpine Johnson’s life collided. Standing in the Gippsland Base Hospital she received a phone call and found out Channel 10 had picked up her Humanitarian Documentary series Behind The Sash, a project she had spent 3.5 years developing. Hours later, her mother passed away from transitional cell carcinoma. The reality of these two events is something she is still wrapping her heart and head around. “The whole thing surpasses my human understanding, but we just have to trust. So I said yes. It meant making tough decisions in the most heart wrenching season of my life, but knowing this project’s purpose far outweighs me alone, continues to drive me forward.” Danielle, alongside her husband, motivational artist Chico Johnson, had a week to grieve her mother, whilst nurturing her three beautiful children (Jason 18, River 7 and Nevaeh 6) through the loss of their grandmother, before starting a gruelling six months production schedule. Behind The Sash is a 10-part documentary series that follows four powerful women as they travel the nation and abroad to shine a light on issues of injustice impacting women and children in Australia, all whilst searching for the next Mrs Australia. No more “plastic fantastic”… these are women of substance. “The whole production has been rather surreal. One minute we are doing a glamorous fashion shoot, the next minute we are witnessing the miracle of sight being restored right before our eyes. Other times, I am sitting in the edit suite watching discussions on suicide, or women 28

stuck in impoverished living, twenty times over to ensure we are telling the right story, the right way, to hopefully influence change. It’s very intense and often overwhelming, but iron sharpens iron and I have an awesome team around me helping pull this off.”

No more “plastic fantastic”… these are women of substance. Driven by an innate passion for the next generation, Danielle is a visionary devoted to shifting the culture of Australian TV for the greater good, in particular for the female audience. “Sometimes when I look at the way women are depicted in the media, and how that impacts our next generation, my blood boils. I have two sons and a daughter. I want my daughter to understand how a woman should carry herself and I want my sons to know how to treat and respect a women. Visa versa is of equal importance. That’s why we have created this show, in the hopes to draw attention to women of substance taking a stand within our nation. I am blessed to have an incredible Co-Producer Bessie Kay who is also a mother of two gorgeous daughters and carries this same vision. I couldn’t have pulled this off without her. Talk about women on the rise, she is one to watch!” Danielle is joined by three other powerhouse mothers within the cast of Behind The Sash including Jyselle Des-Forges, Becky Branca and Sofia Gilinas. “My beautiful cast members and I are very close. We all come from a pageant background and have been through a lot together, but in fact this show isn’t about a pageant. Mrs Australia is a platform created to showcase some of Australia’s most influential and humanitarian hearted women.” The cast have travelled to unique locations including Beagle Bay in the Kimberly to shine a light on the youth suicide rate - one of the highest in the world, to Nepal highlighting

CBM restoring sight, to the Phillipines working with Gawad Kalinga removing families from living in poverty into safe communities. Each episode is dedicated to one issue of injustice and showcases one powerful woman taking a stand. By the end of the series they will have found 10 incredible women who will all be showcased at the Mrs Australia eEvent. “We are removing the competition element and heavily focusing on ‘celebrating’ women. Yes, there will be only one Mrs Australia chosen but we really are celebrating these phenomenal ladies. It’s a true sisterhood, all about encouraging the revolutionary women of Australia who are making hands on effort of foreign and local aid to create a better future. We celebrate their strength and courage. We are making goodness fashionable.”

Take the raw doco style of Ross Kemp, the charitable heart of Undercover Boss, the glamour of Australia’s Next Top Model – throw it in a pot and you have BEHIND THE SASH! Rokk Ebony is the major sponsor for Behind The Sash and have partnered with the ladies to see this messaging infiltrate the beauty industry. “We’re incredibly blessed to have Rokk Ebony partner with us. They really are pioneers within the beauty industry on so many levels and to have them stand strong alongside us makes us forever grateful.” “Every woman within the cast has a powerful story to share. They are all are an inspiration to me in one way or another, so to share their stories is pretty cool. I get to wake up everyday, make TV, write stories, play dress up and do it all with some of the coolest mamas on the planet. Most importantly, it’s a purpose driven life. Kind of a dream come true. I miss my own mother dearly but she deserves a legacy that lasts. I’ve got a fire in my belly to see a shift within this industry and I believe it’s coming soon”. Behind The Sash airs on Channel 10 Peach on Saturday 26th October at 1:30pm with an encore at 8am Sunday on Channel 10. behindthesashtv.com

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Free Events SPRING / SUMMER 2019

October

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Spring into Gardening

CHRISTMAS CONCERTS

Sunday 13 October 11am – 3pm Victoria Gardens, Prahran

Christmas at Central Park

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Sunday 8 December 7.30pm – 9.30pm Central Park, Malvern East

What’s On Stonnington @whats_on_stonnington

Host Ella Hooper featuring Jason Heerah

Carols at Como Park Host Rob Mills o featuring Isaiah Firebrace Sunday 15 December 7.30pm – 9.30pm Como Park, South Yarra

WE LOVE A MOTHER Bayside mama of two Linda Tsiokas is no stranger to running a business. Linda set up Melbourne’s first drive-through coffee business Latte Cartelle, with her sister 15 years ago. But being a Registered Nurse it is no surprise she has also moved over to a more health focused business as well. Linda is now empowering woman to love their bodies through her Beautiful Bodies Clinics and a new treatment called fat freezing. Linda, tell us a bit about yourself and the kids. I’ve two noisy crazy boys 9 and 12. Our house is loud, messy, full of warmth and love. It was being a mum, running a business and hopelessly trying to get my body back that made me find out about fat freezing. After my fantastic results I decided I wanted to get back to helping women who, like me, ate well and exercised but couldn’t get the body they wanted (or deserved). Tell us what Beautiful Bodies Clinics does? We are Melbourne’s fat freezing specialist. Fat freezing is known as cryolipolysis or Coolsculpting. It is a non invasive way to permanently remove fat cells. We selectively target the fat cells and take them to -9oC. Your body’s immune system then recognises these damaged cells and naturally eliminates them from your body. Permanently. Once those fat cells are gone - they are gone forever. It’s like liposuction but there is no blood or needles and it’s safe. What can mums expect from fat freezing? Their pre-baby body back - hooray! The treatment is a little uncomfortable - no pain no gain - right? But you walk in and walk out of our clinic. The fat freezing handle pulls the fat tissue in, which is a little pinchy, however for the next 50 mins the area is comfortable. Over the next 16 weeks - your body slowly passes the dead cells out. Most clients will lose a dress size or about 3 inches off their hips with treatment. The clinical trials (2014) proved a 26% reduction in the fat cells.

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How did you first come across fat freezing and what sets you apart from other operators? As a Registered Nurse I read the clinical trials in a medical journal, not a glossy mag, and because it had proven results, I sought to have treatment. After my results I loved my body. I stopped the negative criticism that I played in my head each night. ‘You shouldn’t eat that, you should have gone for a longer run, do some more sit-ups, don’t drink the wine’ - all that was gone. I was proud and confident and had the body I deserved. I have an absolute desire to help women and men love their bodies - this is from my nursing background. Also I know the struggles and the mental state we are in when it comes to our bodies. We are told to ‘love your curves’, yet every media outlet shows us an impossible size 8 celebrity bounced back body. This is emotionally crippling. I offer a free behavioural change program to help increase exercise and reduced emotional eating patterns, because behavioural change is important. It creates a positive cycle. You feel good, so then do good (eating and exercising) which makes you feel good, and so it goes. You’re also involved in B1G1, a Buy 1 Give 1 charity giving platform. Tell us a bit more about it and what it brings to your business. Buy 1 Give 1 encourages businesses to give through every day business activities. So when a customer buys fat freezing - ie. a flat stomach - I donate a goat or chickens or seeds to create a full belly, somewhere in the world. I turn our

first world problems (ooh my tummy is fat) into life saving goods. B1G1 audits the charities, so you know that your donations are actually getting to the people who need it. I went to Kenya in 2018 with them and it blew my mind. We are so fortunate to live in Australia. Being a part of B1G1 makes my soul sing. Helping women and men here and families overseas by providing them with life essentials is so amazing. I am blessed to be in this position. What’s your fave thing about being a mum? Snuggles in bed with my boys. I still get them occasionally. What do you do to instil positive body image in your kids? This is tricky in my line of business. I talk to my boys about healthy food and activity and how this is important to their bones, muscles, hormones and cardio-vascular health. I also try to put fat freezing into perspective. It’s helping mums feel good about themselves because they have forgotten to take care of themselves. Fat freezing makes mums want to be healthy - which is good for their family. I also exercise each day and we eat very well. I tell them that no cosmetic change or fashionable outfit alleviates the need for a healthy lifestyle. What are your favourite go-to’s in Bayside for food and fun with the kids? The beach - with a blanket, a roast chicken and a salad. We are soooo lucky living Bayside, close to the beach. I tell my boys it’s our backyard which we share with the public! Must have mama beauty/pampering treatment in Bayside? Possibly my favourite pampering treatment that all mama’s can enjoy (which is absolutely free) is to take the time (when the boys are at their dad’s house) to watch the sunset at the beach by myself. It gives me time to reflect on my life and recognise the beauty, luck and happiness I have. Yes my body may not be perfect and my kitchen may be a little messy, but I have two beautiful kids, a family and a house to live in, how lucky is that! And finally, where can we find you? You can find Beautiful Body Clinics at 1/7 Tuck Street, Moorabbin and at beautifulbodyclinics.com.au

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very day is an opportunity for discovery and growth at our new and purpose built Guardian South Melbourne centre, which has a range of exciting, resource-rich environments where children are encouraged to explore and learn.

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Visit guardian.edu.au/southmelbourne or call 13 82 30 to learn more.

InsIde-out beauty The new trend in beauty to hit town is targeting inside-out beauty with food and supplements. One of the key ingredients popping up everywhere is collagen. But what is it, how does it work, and how effective is it really? In order to get to the nitty-gritty, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really important to understand a bit more about the skin first. Skin is the largest organ of the body is made up of 3 main layers; the epidermis, the dermis, and subcutaneous tissue. Collagen is the major component of our skinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s connective tissues, and the breakdown of these is what causes wrinkles. As we age, we lose the collagen that keeps our skin intact causing it to collapse. The bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to replenish collagen naturally decreases by about 1.5% per year. This collapse in the collagen matrix is how we develop fine lines and wrinkles. As our production decreases, the remaining collagen fibers start to stiffen and break, along with thickening and fraying of the elastin fibers.

This consequently impacts the skin elasticity, structure, and firmness, resulting in the appearance of aged, wrinkled skin and fine lines. Now, research can give us a fresh look at how beauty is created. We see skin beauty clearly does come from better skin function, from eating the right skin nutrients. Taking a collagen supplement allows the skin to rebuild itself and return to a more youthful state.

So what is it really? Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, found in the bones, muscles, skin, and tendons. It makes up one-third of the total protein found within the body and makes up three-quarters by weight of dried skin. Collagen has predominately been used in the past in skin care creams, only now, with science behind it, we have a different approach to using collagen. It is important for people to know that not all collagen is the same! The best collagen has been hydrolysed into small chains of amino acids called peptides that escape digestion and pass directly into the bloodstream, heading to where they’re needed the most. Collagen supplementation is one way to support the body’s ability to produce collagen. Hydrolysed collagen consists of small peptides with low molecular weight, making it easily digestible, absorbed and distributed in the human body. Hydrolysed collagen is derived from the naturally present collagen within the bones, skin and connective tissue of animals (i.e. cows, pigs, and fish). The process of hydrolysis is very important, as in this case, size does matter, the smaller the better.

What are Hydrolysed Collagen Peptides? Hydrolysed Collagen Peptides are amino acid chains from collagen (protein) that have been ‘hydrolysed’ to break them into smaller pieces called peptides. These small chains of amino acids bypass digestion and enter the body so they can be used to build collagen, replenish collagen stores, and stimulate collagen production, so you can see why the smaller the chain the better. It is therefore important to ensure your collagen supplement has been produced optimally to ensure bioavailability and scientifically researched to ensure it is only the highest quality product. So, the next obvious question is, do collagen supplements really work? Research showing the benefit of collagen supplementation is growing, some of the studies have shown collagen supplementation can; • Improve skin elasticity and skin smoothness, plus decreases the number of facial wrinkles, wrinkle areas and wrinkle depth after 8 weeks • Increase the moisture content of the skin after 6 weeks, resulting in decreased dryness, decreased oiliness and decreased acne • Decrease potential of premature aging from UV exposure • Improve hydration and elasticity and decrease the appearance of wrinkles in human skin at a dose of as little as 1g once daily Is it time to add Collagen to your skin care routine? By Cheryl Stewart, Morlife Co-Founder www.morlife.com

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Spend a day with zoologist Chris Humfrey, from Animal Planet’s new series “Chris Humfrey's Animal Instinct”, at his very own private zoo in Mount Macedon, just 50min from Melbourne’s CBD. Get up close and personal with over 2000 animals with this hands-on experience which is offered nowhere else. Chris has personally designed this exclusive program, with strictly limited numbers of children, to ensure your child gets the best WILD experience possible!

Bookings and Enquiries ww.wildaction.com.au Phone 0419 385 245

WIN

Arts Centre Melbourne presents a CDP Kids & Salspot Production

Based on the books by Eric Hill

LIVE ON STAGE

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Eric Hill’s beloved puppy comes to life on stage with puppetry, songs, and puzzles for children aged 3+ and their adults. Arts Centre Melbourne, 13-17 November, 2019. Tickets on sale now! www.artscentremelbourne.com.au Simply colour to WIN!

Worth

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Post to: MamaMag Spot Comp, PO Box 8018, North Road LPO, Brighton East 3187 by Oct 31st.

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emotIonally aware Developing emotional awareness and coping skills As a loving parent our aim is to raise a kind respectful child, who can carry the family values they are raised with into adulthood. We often hope that our children will take life’s childhood lessons with them to be a balanced adult who can navigate the life hurdles of assertiveness versus agreeableness, and risk taker versus calculated decision maker, amongst the many other life see-saw moments that exist. In today’s world parents often find themselves negotiating the dilemmas of screen time and trying to balance work and family time. While many report being able to successfully find resources in these areas, finding resources in other areas such as emotional health can be more challenging.

Some of the best ways to help your child understand what they are experiencing at an emotional level is by reading a book together. Knowing where to turn to find helpful resources and strategies to assist in introducing skills such as mindfulness and develop children’s emotional awareness can be like trying to find a needle in haystack. Many parents report trying to educate themselves in strategies to build flourishing mental health skills in their families such as resilience, positivity and emotional awareness and often need a resource to help them in starting these discussions with their children. Some of the best ways to help your child understand what they are experiencing at an emotional level is by reading a book together. Reading not only has the obvious educational benefit but also allows the parent child connection and bond to further grow. It gives parents a script to focus on and provides a

starting point for introducing concepts such as feelings and coping with emotions. Reading together is a great way to teach your child, to role model and allows for discussion of new ideas and concepts. Following are some recommended resources you may find helpful for developing emotional awareness, and mindfulness skills in children.

1. Beautiful Oops By Barney Saltzberg. This book if well suited to anyone who has ever said “Oops” or made a mistake, which is most likely all of us! As parents read this book children are introduced to the idea that a mistake can be reframed into an opportunity. The book outlines how spills to bent paper are all opportunities to celebrate and create, allowing children to normalise mistakes and to build ways of coping through seeing their potential. It provides parents with a base to start discussions about coping with mistakes, being creative and introducing concepts such as responsibility and problem solving, while taking the emphasis off perfection.

2. In My Heart: A Book of Feelings Written by Jo Witek and illustrated by Christine Roussey. This beautiful book is centred upon a girl explaining that her heart is full of feelings and emotions. Each page describes a feeling in an engaging and child friendly way, as well as how to handle the feeling when it is experienced. Parents when reading the book are able to discuss the feelings further by asking their child questions like “have you ever felt this feeling” “how does this felt in your heart” or “when have you feel this feeling”.

3. ABC Mindful Me By Christine Engel. An engaging and delightfully illustrated book that allows children an introduction to understanding mindfulness. A great first mindfulness book based on introducing ideas and skills for mindfulness via the ABC. Many parents would feel confident reading this with their child having no previous mindfulness experience themselves, as the book is written at an introductory level with straight forward ideas for skills including paying attention to your world and noticing joy. The underlying themes from positive psychology principles of gratitude and kindness-based strategies shine though in a calm and practical way.

4. Breathe Like a Bear By Kira Willey and illustrated by Anni Betts. This beautifully written book introduces parents and children to 30 mindful exercises with the intention of helping children to feel calm, to relax and to focus. The exercises are playful, imaginative and gently introduce mindfulness techniques to children through animals and story. The engaging illustrations capture children’s attention and imagination as parents work through the book allowing children to find their favourite exercises and to build skills in mindfulness. It is great for parents to practice these exercises with their children and to role model some of the practices.

5. The Whole-Brian Child By Daniel J Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson. One for the parents, The Whole-Brian Child by Daniel J Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson is a great read for parents who are looking to understand more about how a child’s brain matures and develops, or how to assist children in growing their emotional intelligence. The Whole-Brain Child helps parents learn how to manage day to day struggles, toddler tantrums, and big emotions. The illustrations help understand the concepts and implement the key tools in the parent-child world. This book is a must read for parents wanting to better understand their children’s emotional development, their children’s emotional responses and the ways they can help their children in emotional development and expression. By Christie Arbuckle, Director and Clinical Psychologist at Growth Pursuit Consulting and Creator of The Compassionate Parent App. www.thecompassionateparent.com.au

STAR OF THE SHOW Why choose an agency specialising in child talents? With some kids, from the day they can walk, you can just tell that they were born to be in front of the camera. For those with talented kids who love the limelight and were born to entertain, signing up to a talent agency can be a great idea to get them in the limelight. But finding the right agency to align with can be an extremely difficult decision. To make things easier Adam Jacobs, shares his top five reasons on why parents should consider a child talent agency...

1. An overall better experience for your child The show biz industry can be quite stressful, so agencies that represent all ages can tend to take a much more serious approach. This can be quite intimidating for children, especially when theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in an environment that is predominantly adults. The fun can also be culled from the overall experience and you might find that staff are a little less experienced with children. Look for an agency that goes out of their way to create a fun and vibrant space. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s so important to us that our kids feel inspired and empowered when they step through the door, not intimidated.

2. Broaden your horizons Industry professionals and casting directors generally go straight to a talent agency with their briefs, for a much quicker and more proficient process. Signing with an agency opens the doors to a world of opportunities.

3. Improve skills Auditions and casting calls can be an intimidating process. Look for in-house workshops to improve skills before you get thrown into the deep end. Parents have peace of mind knowing that their child is attending a workshop in a familiar environment, rather than searching for outside sources that you may be unsure about.

4. Portfolios become a simple process Portfolios are essential in this industry. Casting directors expect to see professional headshots upon request. What differentiates Bubblegum Casting from many agencies is that folio shots are done in-house and are included in the welcome package, rather than just recommending a local photographer - like a lot of other agencies do.

5. Make friends while making magic! A child focused talent agency gives the opportunity for both parents and children to spend time with other like-minded souls and share their experiences so far within the industry. When parents and kids chat with each other, it can be a helpful process to offer each other support and prepare better for auditions. Choosing the right talent agency can either make or break your dreams of becoming a star, so it is essential to ensure that you opt for one that has your best interests at heart - with a fun and relaxed environment. By Adam Jacobs, Founder, Bubblegum Casting. www.bubblegumcasting.com.au

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14 ER A T N DECEMB SAUPCOMING FAMILY SPECIALS S RAINTrain Special: 28 October THalloween &

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0420 461 577 www.atdance.com.au

18 months - 6 years

2 x free trial classes Helping mums & dads navigate the juggling act of parenthood.

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Developed by a Clinical Psychologist, the Compassionate Parent App offers strategies in managing emotions and thoughts to help individuals and couples mentally and emotionally in their parenting journey. With user friendly tools for busy parents, users can personalise their own toolbox using the favourite strategies feature.

0419 641 477 alanna@atads.com.au www.atads.com.au Get more from mama - www.mamamag.com.au | Get social with mama - @localmamamag

It’s cool to be kInd Telling my story never gets any easier. What it does do is strengthen my positivity and serves as a reminder that I am exactly where I am meant to be. I’m not going to tell my story from the beginning because we would be here until Christmas (and that’s coming around way too fast as it is) so I’ll start from the part that defines me the most. In 2008, I was bitten by a spider and ended up with something called Guillain Barre Syndrome. What this did was put me on life support, paralysed and although I was told I would get better, nobody could say when. I had to learn to walk again and I look at babies learning to walk in a whole new light because it’s bloody tough! I remember this was at an age where I’d get news of people getting married and having kids and I couldn’t even push the hair out of my eyes. Mum was a pillar of strength and told me over and over again that it wasn’t a race and that it would happen. My motivation has never wavered and although the days were long, I did learn to walk again and just months after leaving the hospital, I met my now husband, found a job and moved from Adelaide to Perth. I’m pretty sure my family put me on the plane thinking I’d be back. How wrong they were! Matt and I were engaged six months after meeting and married just over a year later. Of course, becoming parents was on the list of things to do but a further health setback meant we had to wait. I kept getting pelvic cysts which would put me in the hospital and unfortunately nobody could pinpoint where they were coming from. Eventually, my surgeon said it was too risky to keep draining them and that a hysterectomy was the only way to go. I was 32. Consulting an IVF specialist, we were told that there was no chance of harvesting any eggs either and it was in this 10-minute consult that life changed dramatically.

What followed was a harrowing journey from both a mental and physical standpoint. The operation itself was the easy part, although I did not appreciate being in recovery and having the Registrar waltz in, saying “We took your uterus” then walk out. I’m not exaggerating that either. I had been told to prepare for sudden onset menopause but wasn’t prepared for it being within a matter of hours. I remember being in the hospital bed with tubes galore, and four fans directed on me because I was so hot. I also wanted to be naked while everyone else had their jumpers on. Unfortunately, this operation didn’t go as smoothly as we liked and in 2017, two years after the original surgery, I had 10 operations and months in hospital. But once again, I was determined to get better. And I did just that. In November 2017 I was at the shops when I saw a teenager knock over an elderly lady and not stop. That to me is unfathomable and was all it took for me to challenge the people of Perth to be kind. In what I call my 3am moment of madness, I designed and printed 50 kindness cards which I then hid around Perth. With no expectation of response, I was amazed when in total, I got 32 responses! One gentleman took a homeless man out for lunch, a lady with cancer said she needed perspective so volunteered at a shelter and one of my favourites, “I washed Mum’s car without her asking. She was stoked!” Earlier this year, I let an elderly gentleman go before me in the queue. I had way more items (of course I did — there is no way I could shop for one item if my life depended on it!) and I wasn’t in a rush. When I did, he stopped with a look of shock on his face. It took all I had to ask if he was okay and he responded by saying he was finding it hard to work out what he was feeling because nobody had been kind to him in such a long time. All I did was let him go in front of me.

Situations like this strengthen my resolve to continue to make a difference and in the last few months, I’ve had responses from individuals who have found kindness cards in Philadelphia and Arizona, which is totally mind-blowing. The Cool To Be Kind Project was officially launched in January 2018 and has now gone global. On August 6th Arianna Huffington tweeted my story herself which was a huge “wow” moment in itself! Our 52 Weeks of Kindness campaign started on September 1st. This won’t be your typical kindness challenge because I believe kindness to be a part of self-care, therefore, challenges will also include mindset, positivity and reflection. Our first challenge? Simply start by trying to see the best in people. We all have the opportunity to make a choice: to look at life a little bit differently, maybe with a softer and kinder heart. More importantly, we all have the opportunity to build our best lives. Who knows if children are in our future but I’m no longer sitting around waiting for that to happen. Instead, I’m lending my nurturing ways to the hearts of others in the hopes that I can help them find their way out of their darkness and into the light of new dreams. By Naomi Lambert, Founder and CEO, The Cool To Be Kind Project. www.thecooltobekindproject.org @thecooltobekindproject

Did you hear Little Patch Early Learning is Now Enrolling for 2020?

The Learning Journey Begins Here Your child will spend the day with friends and develop a genuine love of learning at Little Patch Early Learning. Being family owned and operated, our early learning centres are designed to be an extension of the family home, offering flexible routines and educational programs in a warm, welcoming and nurturing environment. Caring for children from three months to school age, your child will develop their skills and confidence in natural and open-ended environments, overseen by our team of exceptional and truly dedicated teachers and educators. Our unique Community Connections Program allows us to extend learning into the local community and wider world, facilitating a holistic learning approach. We invite you to visit us and learn more about the Little Patch difference.

Book a tour today.

Port Melbourne 77 Bay Street 03 9646 6140

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