Bayside MamaMag April/May 2019

BAYSIDE

mamaMAG Apr/May 2019

WIN A FAMILY HOLIDAY TO NORTH STAR HOLIDAY RESORT Home & holidays Catriona Rowntree Babymoon dreaming Bali mumcation Indoor plant ideas

free Local fun for the Bayside mum 1

Childcare and Kindergarten 296 Glen Eira Road, Elsternwick

FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED | WHERE EVERY CHILD MATTERS Contact us TODAY on 9528 6967 or centre@ourplaceelc.com.au to secure a place for your child ourplaceelc.com.au

HOLIDAY HEROES Home + Holiday issue. I love this theme! Two topics I absolutely adore. What has been your favourite holiday with the kids? I love hearing holiday stories! My kids and I haven’t had a great deal of big holiday adventures (yet) but I was lucky enough to sneak in a trip to Italy and a ‘mumcation’ to Bali (check out my write up) last year without them and both trips were so fabulous! I did just book a holiday to Port Douglas for the three of us in June though. Yippee!! This issue I was lucky enough to chat with the Victorian Queen of travel (I made that up!) Catriona Rowntree. This clever mama (she’s got two gorgeous boys) has just released a book about cruising, so if that’s on your family bucket list, it’s a really great read. She shares some of her favourite travels with us inside this issue plus a bit about her wonderful country Victorian home she shares with her ‘farmer boy’! She’s an absolute delight (and a fan of MamaMag, naturally!).

It’s been a fun two months seeing out the end of what was a glorious summer. One highlight was featuring in a photoshoot for Beach Club Clothing. Yep, Mama got her model on! Beach Club have some super cool Autumn/ Winter pieces coming through at the moment and I’ve got my eye on that stunning grey coat I’m wearing up there in the first pic! It’s soft long, flowy and fabulous!

Keep an eye out on their socials for my big debut!!

I was also lucky enough to spend a stunning Summer’s night with my MamaMag team, Clare and Olivia, at the St Kilda Twilight Polo in Feb. These two legends are my sales guns and make me laugh in the office 3 days a week! We had such a super night and yes, we did see a couple of horses in amongst the drinks and Tommy Collins yumminess!

We also snuck in an impressive tour of the MCG and the National Sports Museum, which is choc-full of incredible sports memorabilia, medals and history of Australian sports heroes. It was such a buzz to see parts of the MCG not normally accessible. Highly recommend a visit these school holidays (if you’re not travelling somewhere fabulous that is!). Happy Home + Holidays!!

@localmamamag

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

WIN

Contents Dream of a babymoon One last getaway

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Parklife 8 Kingston Heath Reserve Cruisy Catriona Catriona Rowntree’s travels

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Valued at $1,430

Do you need to sell?

12 The Block’s Nicole Jacobs’ new book Which bed is right?

Selecting a child’s bed

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What mama wants Mother’s Day gift ideas

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Fabulous foilage 5 indoor plant winners

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Mumcation 20 Escaping to Bali for some fun

WIN a 5 night family stay at North Star Holiday Resort on the Tweed Coast, NSW! Enter at https://woobox.com/oopw6h or www.facebook.com/localmamamag Prize is 5 nights accomodation for a family of 4 in a Tuscany Suite.

We love a mother The Bali Bible’s Lani te Hennepe

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Entries are open to Victorian residents only. Competition starts April 1st 12.01am and closes April 30th 2019 at 11.59pm. Accomodation voucher valid for 12 months from the date of issue; This voucher is not redeemable for cash and is non-transferable; Prize is to be used as one single holiday stay; This voucher not to be used during school holidays; Public Holidays or special events; This voucher cannot be used in conjunction with any other discount offer.

Visit www.mamamag.com.au/competitions for full terms and conditions.

Mama can cook Jacqueline Alwill winners

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For resort information visit www.northstar.com.au

Into interiors Interior stylist Nicole Rosenberg

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MamaMag® is published bi-monthly for the mums of Melbourne’s South by Grizzle Design Pty Ltd

Turn the page Mama’s top book picks

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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

More time for fun Bringing family fun back

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Resolution to run Discover parkrun

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Colour to WIN Puffing Billy family passes

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Get your mojo back Top tips to good health

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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: Sarah Cavalier sarah@mamamag.com.au Local Advertising Manager: Olivia Wilson: olivia@mamamag.com.au National 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 Apr/May 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.

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dream of a BABYMOON? Cue romantic music, gourmet indulgences (sans alcohol, cured meats and soft cheese), a pile of books (and no, I don’t mean pregnancy books or baby bibles!) and the thought of waking up groggy with the late morning sun on your bed… But what about your other kids?

As a mum of three, I’ve reached day-two on a few family holidays and wondered why we’ve bothered. The washing doesn’t stop, the sleeping can get worse and being away can make meals more complicated.

We’ve always holidayed together before a new baby. In fact, my husband and I didn’t even have a date night when pregnant with our third child. While we were so excited about meeting our little girl and starting the next chapter of our family life, we also wanted to cherish every last moment of the previous chapter with our two boys.

For mum of three Sally Kane, having an adultonly babymoon was an absolute necessity. “I’d had a really rough start to my third pregnancy with serious health concerns. We really needed to regroup, sleep and spend time as a couple.”

The timing also coincided with a milestone birthday for Sally’s husband, Richard.

An important consideration in deciding to babymoon alone or as a family (sometimes called a “familymoon”) or do both, is your older children.

“While expecting a new baby is exciting for big siblings, it is also a time of considerable change in their lives. Children can feel displaced and worry about being left out,” says paediatric occupational therapist, Debbie Isaac.

Debbie recommends that parents minimise changes that affect their older children, particularly later in the pregnancy, but doesn’t rule out parents getting away as a couple earlier on. If your kids are familiar with being left with Granny and Pa, they probably won’t blink when you head off again. Sally and Richard took their five-night adult-only getaway in Byron Bay when Sally’s parents could stay in their house.

“Grannie Annie and Pops have looked after the boys many times and the boys absolutely adore them. They kept to the school and kinder routine as usual.”

The Kane’s also visited Samoa as a family while pregnant. They chose Samoa because it was a new destination for them and they wanted the holiday to be memorable. They spent time together swimming, sailing boats, hunting for crabs and snorkelling. The family also used the kid’s club a few times so Sally and Richard could rest, read and enjoy couple time.

A familymoon can also help prepare your children for the new baby. Parents can spend more time with the kids, which can help reinforce how special they are and create lifelong memories. Parents can also talk about the baby coming and take a big brother or sister book to read together too.

By Lauren Gardiner. Lauren’s book, baby + me, is available for purchase from selected stockists and online at www.memobooks.com.au.

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Here are my top five tips for an “all-aboard” babymoon: 1. Identify your wants (and needs!) as individuals, as a couple and as a family Do you need rest? A romantic dinner? A day spa? The beach/swimming? An adventure? To chill together as a family?

Plan so it happens: • Choose the right destination and accommodation with the facilities on site or in proximity (kid’s club, nanny service, pool, beach etc).

• Agree to share the getting up and sleeping in/kid duties.

• Use technology for a lie-in together (yes, you’re on holidays, so some TV for the kids is okay).

• Plan meals. It’s often impractical to dine out frequently with young children, and it’s not ideal to spend day-one of your holiday dragging the kids around the local supermarket. Order groceries online to arrive soon after you do – food and snacks are key to happy kids!

2. Add some great family activities!

Swimming is my number one favourite family activity on holidays. Even if not all children are competent swimmers, the toddler in your arms is lighter in the water!

Adding picnic food and a coffee to a trip to the playground is my number two! We visited the Nelson region of New Zealand when pregnant with our second child and spent every morning at a sunny local playground with coffees in hand.

3. Routines stay “king” Stick with normal meal and sleep times as much as possible as kids like certainty.

Changing time zones and long flights can play havoc with routines so consider this when choosing your holiday destination.

4. Get your timing right (for mum and the kids) Your doctor can advise when it’s safest to travel while pregnant. Also consider when you will get the most out of the holiday - many women feel very tired in the third trimester. Airlines also have pregnancy requirements to be mindful of.

As minimising disruption is most important for older siblings closer to the birth, consider holidaying earlier on in the pregnancy.

5. Be grateful for the little things No school/kinder/childcare drop-offs, no lunches and no cooking – hooray! Sunshine and fresh air – yippee!

An “all-aboard” babymoon can be happy (and restful) for all! Happy travels!

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Parklife kingston heath reserve Located directly opposite DFO, this playground is a good compromise if you’re also dragging the kids shopping! The area features an old but well equipped playground, several sports fields, a off-lead dog area, public toilets, lots of car parking, long walking trails and lots of shade.

The playground is very well set out with two main play areas. One for toddlers with a smaller timber climbing frame with slide, a super cute fire truck and swings. On the other side is a larger timber construction with dual slides, spiral slide and wooden bridge.

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An old favourite you don’t see very often is the spinning tea cup and there is a really long metal flying fox, excellent sand pit with built in diggers, a springy see-saw and a metal cable climbing structure shaped like a soccer ball!

There is good natural shade, extensive paths, barbecues, picnic settings and seating. Two shelters that are ideal for children’s parties have also been provided.

Centre Dandenong Road, Cheltenham, opposite DFO.

CruIsy CatrIona Originally from Sydney, 10 years ago our favourite TV travel mama, Catriona Rowntree, fell in love with a Victorian farmer, and the rest is history! New town, new love, kids, so much change!

But what hasn’t changed since she started juggling farm life and motherhood (she’s got 2 beautiful boys) is her passion for travel and her 23-year career as a presenter on Channel Nine’s Getaway.

Firstly, tell us a little bit about your family/kids and where you call home.

You can’t pick where a cupid’s arrow will strike, and this city chick fell for a hot farmer when I least expected it. We live on a beautiful sheep and grain property just outside of Melbourne, that I’ve turned into a little slice of Tuscany with a dash of Provence thrown in. Big red geraniums and lots of lavender will do that.

My boys have no idea how fortunate they are to grow up with such a whopping big back garden. They’re both the absolute loves of my life, I feel like I’m the happiest I’ve ever been, due to their love. Both are chatterboxes, but bizarrely so different. Andrew physically can’t sit down. Has to kick a ball, compete at everything and move at one hundred miles an hour, yet is so cuddly with me. Phew. Charlie is me, loves to shop, loves a museum, loves to read, we are just so happy in each other’s company.

Did I mention he loves to shop? Did I hit the jackpot or what? When we go to his favourite place, Melbourne Museum (he calls it ‘Melvin’s Museum’) he says ‘Mum, priorities, we start at the gift shop.’ Now that’s a boy of my own heart. Andrew on the other hand, when I asked him what gift he’d like me to bring home from the Cook Islands he said ‘nothing Mum, oh, maybe bring home a coconut.’

He has the $2 coconut by his bed as we speak. Nuts...coconuts!

You’ve been described as Australia’s best-travelled woman.

Explain how you’ve juggled it all since the boys were born.

Well I thought my career would be over once I moved away from Head Office and started 10

breeding. But technology has changed all that and my boss said ‘as long as you can get to an airport I don’t care where you live.’ So I’ve forced myself to become organised (not a natural trait) and every work request is met with a simple question to my husband ‘does this work for our family?’ If my children are surrounded by love and their routine stays the same then I can dip in and out to travel.

Oh, and as long as I come home with LEGO, my boys are happy.

What is your all-time favourite holiday destination?

I’ve always gone to Hamilton Island for work and now I take my children. They just love all the activities, ‘keep ‘em busy’ I say. I think we do tend to like the water and by jay (I mean joy) can be found skiing down a mountain or by the beach, but with children I just need to keep them occupied and give them lots of cuddles.

You’ve recently released a new book, The Best of World Cruising, featuring the top 40 ocean and river cruise destinations around the world. What’s the best cruise you’ve done with the kids?

My children love a cruise in all its varied forms.

We hired a Halvorsen at Easter and explored the Hawkesbury, my Bucket List trip was taking them on The True North to experience The Kimberley (‘its Barra-dise mum!’) and they loved island hopping around the Exumas, part of The Bahamas, where they swam with both pigs and sharks, random I know.

We really want to sample a Disney cruise too, that’s on our a bucket list. You see there’s a cruise for every budget, every interest, that’s why I had to write a book on it to make it easier to choose!

How long did the book take to put together?

It is certainly jam packed full of fabulous information.

A solid year and it was hell. It doesn’t come naturally to me to sit for hours and be quiet to write. The cruise part was easy, the writing - a wrench. I also reached out to fellow travellers who I admire to share their tips. Sir Richard Branson, Wendy Wu, Livinia Nixon. They’re just nutty about travel and loved sharing their stories.

Number one rule when packing for a holiday…

Don’t take away anything you’d be upset to lose, the pain of loss lingers. Also, don’t pack anything that crushes, take a photo on your phone of your luggage in case you lose it, take half of what you think you need (more shopping space) always nick the plastic shower cap at hotels. Great to cover dirty shoes in your suitcase or a wet cozzie when you can’t resist that last swim.

I never board a plane without…

Something to read. You lose your mind when your battery dies and it gives you a legitimate reason to not talk to the over sharer sitting next to you!!

Dream destination?

Endless and ever added to. I’d love to see the cherry blossoms of Japan, take my children to swim with whale sharks, experience The Palio in Siena. This is why is still adore my job, the Bucket List is infinite.

And finally, care to share with us a funny parenting story?

My mother in law bought my children guinea pigs, which we all know means I had to care for them. I went away for a quick trip, we had a cold snap and sadly Harold and Henry kicked the bucket. I arrived home and asked my son ‘where did they go?’ And he pointed to the sky and said ‘I’m sorry Mum, they’ve gone up to Kevin’s.’

Whether you’re a seasoned cruiser or just starting, let Catriona fill you in on everything you should know before stepping on board in her new book ‘The Best of World Cruising’, published by Hardie Grant. RRP $35.00.

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Do You Need to Sell?

Unless you are a first home buyer or looking at entering the investment market, you are probably going to have to sell the home you are in now before you can make a move. Or are you?

There are important decisions to be made.

Do you love everything about where you live apart from, for example, the fact you have outgrown it? Perhaps it will make more sense financially and for your lifestyle to simply upgrade the home you are in now. If you have explored this option and it just is not going to work out, it is time to find the right agent: a person who is going to work hard for you.

Before you decide to sell If you find yourself thinking about selling but looking around your home and imagining how much you will miss it, do a little bit of research first. Of course, there are going to be times when the problems you have with a home or apartment cannot be fixed with a renovation, and other times moves are dictated by changes in circumstance or a shift to another city for work. If there is any chance your much-loved abode can be updated, it is time to call in the experts.

Adding another room or two or building up to turn a single-level home into a two-storey one might seem like an expensive option. But once you price how much extra you will have to pay for the house of your dreams, then add on the costs of moving, the stamp duty and the fees to sell the home you are in, it could start to seem like a simpler and more effective option.

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To upgrade your home or move?

Before you call in the design experts, you should have your property valued by a professional. Especially if you have been living there for a few years, chances are your home’s worth has changed quite a bit and it is important to get an independent valuation.

Once you have a proper idea of what you are dealing with, set a budget. If your property is valued at $800,000 and spending $100,000 will give you the perfect home, that is great; if it is valued at $300,000 you will not want to spend nearly that much.

Take a look around your local neighbourhood and see if there is a ceiling value. You certainly do not want to create a milliondollar property in a suburb where most homes sell for $650,000.

To a certain extent you can be more flexible on budget and the types of improvements you are making when you are upgrading the family home and you will be living there for several more years.

Spending a little bit more than you could make back if you had to sell immediately is unlikely to be a disaster, since you are going to be living there, you hope, for quite a few years to come.

Chances are you will have a few ideas of how an expansion or upgrade might work, but you will also likely be surprised by some of the ideas that an architect or builder can bring to the party. Tell them what you are thinking, listen to what they tell you, then make some decisions.

Remember that, even if you feel as though you may want to live in this updated dream home forever and ever, you still should never overcapitalise (spend more money than you could ever make back). Living in Melbourne, you might spend a lot of money on a pool that is only useful for a few months of the year and

that does not recoup its cost when you come to sell. It ends up being an expensive water feature. Potential buyers may also see it as a high-maintenance, high-cost feature and cross your place off their list of options or factor in the cost to fill it in if they cannot see the point of it. Weigh these costs up. If your family will use it and you want it and can afford it, great. If you are renovating for profit, then you need to make sure you can get your money back—and more—to justify the expense. The most important thing for you to do when you are making updates is to set a budget (do not forget to include the cost of a rental property if you need to move out during construction) and a schedule of works. The best way to ensure you do not overcapitalise is to stick to your budget and be prepared to make some compromises if you are seeking high-end fixtures and fittings. Again it comes down to how long you will be living there and whether you are renovating to stay or renovating to move on.

This is an edited extract from SOLD! How to buy and sell your home with real confidence, by Nicole Jacobs, and is published by Hardie Grant.

RRP $29.99.

Nicole Jacobs is a property expert on Channel 9’s The Block, licensed REIV estate agent, founder and director of Nicole Jacobs Property and Bayside mum of three girls!

Not so long ago, I had the privilege of looking for and acquiring a home for clients who had decided to downsize and move to St Kilda.

Moving from a big home with a garden to a large townhouse seemed to be exactly what our clients wanted to do, almost a sea change and a lifestyle change too. However nine months later they came to see me and expressed that they thought they had made the wrong decision. They longed for a backyard again and a place where they could potter over the plants and herbs and just ‘be’ in their space together.

I arranged to visit them in their new home to discuss potential options. The first option was to coordinate their sale with a local agent and then to search for and acquire another home.

This, as I explained, would be their most expensive option with fees, stamp duty and moving costs, not to mention the stress that goes with these processes.

The second option was to improve the existing house to suit them better. The large courtyard and front garden spaces were crying out for attention, and the internals, which were great, could be made better just by furniture choices and other cosmetic enhancements-!

I coordinated an interior stylist and a landscape gardener to quote on these enhancements. Most of the money would be spent internally on furniture and artwork, light fittings and floor coverings, meaning that, if they then decided to move on, a lot of it would go with them then anyway.

With a budget and a new spring in their step to enhance the property and realise their original plans, they were excited once again about their new home.

Had they not thought about and revisited their plans, they could have spent good money moving on and never realised the original potential they saw in this home. This example shows that it is not always about moving on when your home feels as though you have outgrown it, or it no longer serves the purpose you had originally had for it.

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Facing Motherhood Wake Me Up Collection - $65 Daily coffee quota reached and still lookin’ like a Mombie? This collection is designed for ridiculously tired, coffee lovin’ Mamas.

Includes `ESPRESS yo self - Eye cream and `Boom MOCHA laka - Face n’ bod exfoliant. The only bag you need to worry about is your nappy bag! facingmotherhood.com.au

The essential guide to travelling Australia on a budget $44.75 Want to take the kids camping but know if you leave it up to hubby it won’t be what you want?

This new travel book will help you find hidden spots only the locals know, without blowing the bank. Features 1,500 free activities and sights, and 1,500 free camp sites across Australia, including waterfalls, swimming holes, museums, zoos, playgrounds, galleries, parks, wildlife encounters and gardens. www.booktopia.com.au 16 16

Shanghai Suzy lipstick $19.95 Vegan, Cruelty-Free and made in Melbourne with love! We love the colour ‘Petal’, infused with avocado oil, jojoba seed oil and shea butter to moisturise lips in Winter. Available at www. shanghaisuzy.com, in Myer and in over 700 independent boutiques and salons.

Mothaeyr’s D Crumpler Zircon backpack - $99 Who says backpacks have to be boring and featureless? This baby is an absolute eye catcher with plenty of room for everything and a large internal slip pocket and small zippered side pocket which means your phone and things won’t get lost. www.crumpler.com/au

Onne Beauty Travel Pack - $79 ONNE was created by Melbourne based Carlia Ashton after suffering with her own skin issues.

Guaranteed to be free of synthetic chemicals, petroleum-derived ingredients, synthetic preservatives, GMOs, parabens, and sulphates and animal testing, it’s perfect to keep your skin on track when travelling. www.onnebeauty.com

Peninsula Hotsprings graze and bath package $95

3 Pears Birds of Paradise cushion $159

Grab the girls and head down the Peninsula for the day to enjoy geothermal bathing, a grazing platter featuring local produce and a glass of wine! Perfect. Available mon-fri. www.peninsulahotsprings.com

3 pears celebrates art, whether it is a piece that draws your eye across a room in a luxurious setting or a child reacting to the colour and image that brings them immediate happiness.

Melbourne designer Fiona Potter’s designs are both unique and beautiful.

3pears.com.au

Modibodi classic bikini $29.95 Have you tried Aussie brand Modibodi yet? Say goodbye to tampons and pads with these super absorbent briefs. From periods and discharge, light bladder leakage and weak pelvic floors, to perspiration and pong, they’ve got your back! The signature Classic Bikini is the perfect style for every day or perhaps choose something from their Sensual range! www.modibodi.com

Cartel & Willow Kahlo shirt dress Red & pink leopard - $109

Might Purse Geo Bag - $209.95 Look good and keep your phone charged at the same time! The Geo, like all their bags, features a concealed slimline battery to charge your smart phone on the go. Mighty-purse.com

Melbourne based Cartel & Willow are certainly turning heads. This super cute rayon dress is so easy to wear and leopard is so hot right now! www. cartelandwillow.com 17

FABULOUS FOILAGE There’s nothing like a trip away to relax, rejuvenate and refresh. That said, holidays might not always be attainable for everybody - heck, we haven’t had one in what seems like forever. So, we’ve decided to help you bring the holiday into your home.

Much like a trip abroad, indoor plants have been shown to boost your mood, help alleviate stress and improve air quality. Not only that, but they add so much colour and life to a space. So what are you waiting for?

We’ve come up with a few suggestions for houseplants which are not only well suited to indoor life and easy to care for, but will add some major vacay vibes to your space.

Strelitzia Nicolai This white bird of paradise variety is the sibling of the orange-flowering type you see in outdoor gardens. The Nicolai has broader, larger leaves and the flowers are a lovely white and blue. This is a great statement plant as it will grow quite tall over time, but just make sure it has a sunny spot to live in.

Spathiphyllum Sensation The peace lily is no longer just the daggy plant your mum kept in the bathroom. This variety produces huge, soft, dark green foliage and can really transform a space. This guy will survive in lower light conditions but will really thrive in bright, indirect light.

Parlour palm This variety of palm is great for indoors because of its compact size and fuss-free care requirements. Because it doesn’t grow as tall, it hasn’t got the huge, thick stem you see on most palms, which means you can focus more on that lovely, feathery foliage.

Alocasia / Elephant Ear Most varieties of Alocasia/Elephant Ear are great for indoors, as long as you have a nice, bright spot for them. They can grow into beautiful, big plants over time, but are a rewarding plant to grow at any size. They’re a tiny bit more complex than most other houseplants, but one of our personal favourites.

Monstera Deliciosa This has probably been the trendiest houseplant of the last few years, and with good reason. It’s immensely satisfying to watch those beautiful, fenestrated leaves unfurl, and they’re one of the easiest plants to care for.

Pop it in a bright spot, and watch it take over. We recommend staking this plant for support and to encourage it to grow upward as it matures.

Just remember that when shopping for plants, it’s important to familiarise yourself with each plant’s specific light and water needs, to ensure that you can provide the right conditions for each one. That said, if you ever need plant support, we’re here to help!

By Allyson (mum to two girls) and Lexi (she’s a dog mum if that counts!) from Plant Creepers.

Find them on Facebook, Instagram and at www.plantcreepers.com.au

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A perfect introduction to opera for the whole family

ALICE THROUGH THE OPERA GLASS Saturday 15 June Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse

BOOK NOW | victorianopera.com.au | 1300 182 183 The Marian & E.H. Flack Trust

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mama-catIon Mumcation. The new buzz word. Sounds fun right?!

A mumcation is exactly what you might think it is. A holiday for mums, without your kids or partner. I also like to refer to it as “mums gone wild”! Well maybe that was just me on my mums’ trip to Bali. Your chosen mumcation might be a little more serene!

US research shows that taking the time out to make sure our own needs are met is actually beneficial for our children. So if you’re not willing to do it for yourself, suck it up ladies and in the words of Robbie Williams; do it for the kids.

I thought I’d test out the theory and jumped on-board a mums’ trip to Bali late last year with three other fab mums I’ve met through MamaMag. It wasn’t a relaxation retreat type trip, which Bali is certainly known for, but more of a wine, dine and sublime type affair. Six nights of fun and cocktails in the heart of Seminyak was just what mama needed! Here’s our stand-out locations and must-do’s, should you fancy doing the same!

1. Motel Mexicola This is my number-one go to and we had dinner here twice in the six days, we loved it so much! For 6 years this amazing, unique venue has been serving the best Mexican food (hello $3 tacos), to-die-for cocktails (I’m all over the Mohito), and features the most fabulous and eccentric Mexican decor, with neon lights galore. After dinner the music really gets pumping and you can dance the night away. motelmexicola.info

2. Sisterfields Breakfast after a fun night has to be taken at Sisterfields. They serve an all-day yummy brunch menu alongside excellent coffee from Sibling Espresso next door. Healthy options galore including some excellent smoothies. I couldn’t get enough of the Double-Date iced coffee with espresso, dates, ice and almond milk. sisterfields.com

3. Spring Spa No trip to Bali is complete without a pedicure and with Bali prices you should always go with the best. Spring Spa in top of Seminyak Square is simply stunning. All four of us lounged back in our comfy chairs while our feet were pampered and finished off in our fav colour. I trip to the spa really is the best girl’s day out! www.springspa.com

4. Revolver Espresso If you’re looking for the best coffee in town then look no further than Revolver. Quirky interior, excellent breakfast, but the best latte and iced-coffee around. revolverespresso.com 20

5. Tropicola Beach Club Move over Potato Head, there’s a new kid in town. We arrived at Tropicola, which opened last year, around midday and literally squealed in delight (we also didn’t leave till 9pm!!).

This retro, visual feast (which is part of the Mexicola stable) provided quite literally the best day we’ve ever had (we may have also said this out loud about once every hour!).

Situated opposite the beach next to the W Hotel, the location is stunning, the service was outstanding, and the food and drinks were incredible. But the vibe, the music, the staff getting us up to dance, every minute of being here was simply incredible and we’ve dreamed about going back ever since! Watch out for staff pouring tequila shots in your mouth pool-side! www.tropicola.info

6. Da Maria So it can’t all be party, party, party. On day 4 we popped out for a civilised lunch at Da Maria. This stunning Italian inspired restaurant looks like it was lifted straight out of a fancy Instagram feed. It was simply stunning and the food and wine were an equal match. They also have late night pizza and disco nights which we will most cretainly check out next time! damariabali.com

7. Ku De Ta Sunset drinks at Ku De Ta is a pretty special way to enjoy a night out with the girls. Like so many beach front locations, this bar has a great swimming pool to take a quick dip in, and it’s got a fabulous atmosphere. We tucked into pizzas and strawberry margaritas as we watched the sun go down on another perfect night in paradise. kudeta.com

8. Mrs Sippy Another spot high on the ‘Instagram-able’ list, and giving good old “Mr Potatohead” a run for his money, is Mrs Sippy. The big draw card here is the fun 5m diving platform that towers over the whole venue and provides endless excitement watching people drop into the deep aqua pool below. There is excellent music, food and fun to be had here and make sure you grab a day bed (minimum $100 spend which is easily covered with cocktails and food for the day!). www.mrssippybali.com 21

we love a mother If you’ve been to Bali and you haven’t consulted the Bali Bible, you’re missing out! The Bali Bible started as a simple thought for Bayside mum Lani te Hennepe. As a seasoned traveller to Bali, Lani was often asked by friends and family about the best things to do, see and experience in Bali. Her list of ideas quickly became sought after in their wider network. and leveraging on husband Simon’s experience running a web development company, they siezed the idea and together created a simple way to share these recommendations, via The Bali Bible.

Today, 10 years later, The Bali Bible, with its popular website and social channels, sits under their latest business venture TRAVLR, with users able to book entire curated trips through their website. The TRAVLR brand now operates across six countries and has over 85 staff!

Tell us a bit about your little family. How old is Finn now?

How did you and Simon meet?

We are a tight knit family of 3 soon to be 4 our baby girl is on the way and due in May and we couldn’t be more excited! Simon and I met at a mutual gathering quite a few years back and clicked instantly. We’ve been inseparable ever since. Our son Finn is two years old but will be turning three in August and like us, is a Bali regular.

What you were doing career wise before you started The Bali Bible?

Prior to starting The Bali Bible I worked in HR - I’m a people person through and through so naturally gravitated towards a career that put people at the core of their business. I guess that’s really how The Bali Bible started when I think about it, simply providing recommendations to friends, family and team members at my previous role who were heading over to Bali for a holiday and looking for tips.

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You were working full time and growing The Bali Bible on the side.

At what point did you decide you could let go of your ‘real job’ and grow The Bali Bible into a ‘real business’?

Both Simon and I had full time jobs when we started The Bali Bible - we were getting up early (before work) and staying up working until after midnight together to pursue what seemed like a dream of being an authority on all things Bali.

The minute we reached 10,000 followers on Facebook, which happened over a matter of weeks, this was the lightbulb moment we knew our little idea could be a full-blown business.

5 years ago, just as The Bali Bible was booming, Simon suggested tipping all the profits into a new venture TRAVLR. What were your thoughts at the time? Crazy or amazing?

My initial thoughts were “are you crazy?” but we’ve always been the type of couple that back each other and support each other no matter what, so if Simon was in, I was always going to be right there by his side along for the ride. It all happened really quickly and I’m so thankful that it did. We have been under the pump, had ups and downs, but now that we have found our rhythm, the business is going from strength to strength.

How does TRAVLR differ from The Bali Bible?

To put it simply, TRAVLR is the technology platform behind The Bali Bible. TRAVLR allows our community to book their dream Bali trip (or Indonesia, Fiji, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands) through our site, including flights, accommodation, activities and experiences.

Besides Bali (obviously) what are some holiday destinations you love visiting as a family?

We love heading to Merimbula with Simon’s family, we do that every year with all the kids and we have an absolute ball. My parents also have a holiday house in the Mornington Peninsula which is like our second home.

Throughout the year, we spend a lot of time there with my family. Fiji is next on the hit list and we’ve just launched TRAVLR Fiji so I’ve been using our website daily to plan our next trip there as a family.

You’re a Bayside mum, what are your favourite local hotspots to hang out at with and without children?

With Finn, you’ll usually see us at Jump Central, North Point playground or Hurlingham Park with our beautiful dog Opie! If Simon and I have a date-night we usually head to Bang-Bang in Elsternwick, delicious food and great cocktails.

Any funny stories from travelling with Finn?

Finn is your typical boys boy. He’s always wanting to explore, can’t sit still for long and if he’s not impersonating Fireman Sam he’s chatting to everyone. Whenever we head to Bali, Finn is always wanting to strike up conversations with the locals. He loves counting to 3 with them and you can just hear him yelling out to anyone who will listen “satu, dua, tiga” - it’s very cute, the first 50 times.

Finally where can we find you? www.travlr.com and www.thebalibible.com and follow @thebalibible on Insta. 905K followers can’t be wrong!

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mama can Cook!

Tropical Smoothie Bowl Serves 2

Method:

1 frozen banana

Place all ingredients in a high powdered blender and blitz until creamy. If mixture feels too thick, simply add a touch of water to loosen and blitz again. Pour equally into two bowls and serve with extra toppings if desired.

1 cup frozen chopped mango 2 tablespoons hemp seeds 2 tablespoons white chia seeds 1/2 cup greek or coconut yoghurt 2 serves HIVITA KIDS LIQUIVITA Optional: oats, extra fruit to serve

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HAPPY HEALTHY

&

HIGH ACHIEVING Mentone Grammar’s academic, cocurricular and wellbeing programs are designed for the holistic development of our students so that they can achieve their personal best and be happy and healthy young people.

This is delivered within our highly acknowledged Together-Apart-Together coeducational model.

From our Early Learning Centre through to Year 12, we provide age and stage appropriate programs designed to engage the modern learner in a dynamic environment.

EXPERIENCE MENTONE GRAMMAR AT A SCHOOL TOUR Book online or contact us for more information at:

www.mentonegrammar.net

www.mentonegrammar.net 63 Venice Street Mentone T: +61 9584 4211

Raw snickers bar 2 cups fresh dates, pitted 1/2 cup natural peanut butter 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1 cup activated buckwheat (buckinis) or puffed brown rice/quinoa 1 cup unsalted roasted peanuts, roughly chopped (you can leave raw if you wish) 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted 1/4 cup raw cacao powder 1 tbsp maple syrup

Method: Place the dates, peanut butter and vanilla in food processor and blitz until mixture comes together to form a paste. Combine date mix, buckinis and 1/2 the peanuts in a bowl and mix to combine. Line a loaf tin (20x15cm or thereabouts) with greaseproof paper, spread mixture evenly into tin and place in freezer to set. Combine coconut oil, cacao powder, maple and sea salt in a separate bowl and whisk to combine.

Pour chocolate mix over the set date mix, sprinkle with peanuts and place back in freezer to set for an hour. When ready, slice into small pieces and serve.

Store in fridge or freezer up to 3 weeks.

pinch sea salt

Recipe by Jacqueline Alwill.

Jacqueline is a leading Australian nutritionist, HIVITA Health & Beauty Ambassador, wholefoods cook, founder of The Brown Paper Bag and most importantly a mother to her son Jet! 26

sun or ski BOOK WITH THE CLUB MED SPECIALISTS

ONE PRICE, IT’S ALL INCLUDED

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INDONESIA | MALAYSIA | MALDIVES | THAILAND | MAURITIUS | JAPAN | FRANCE SWITZERLAND| ITALY | CHINA | BRAZIL | MEXICO | CARIBBEAN

Into InterIors Children’s spaces are fast becoming a creative extension and a real statement in the family home and Liberty Interiors, headed up by Melbourne mum Nicole Rosenberg, is tapping into this new-found obsession with all things beautiful.

A lover of all things art and style, like many, Nicole found her inspiration to start her business after having her own children. After decorating their bedrooms and then the rooms of friends and family, she felt encouraged by how much she loved creating these beautiful spaces and how much her friends loved her work, so she knew there was a business in this niche service, and she was right!

Obviously your kids were your inspiration to start your business.

Tell us a bit about your children.

Ruby is my eldest and is now 14 – she is like a mini me! She loves being creative, having everything full coordinated and would love to come and work for me one day! Millie is my middle child and is 12. She loves being on stage and I can see her doing something in the arts when she grows up! She has big plans for her next room … that she thinks is coming soon …

Archie is 9 and is my little baby (but a big one).

He is completely obsessed with all things sports and could care less about what his room looks like – he sleeps in there and that’s about it!

What were you doing before the kids were born?

I studied to be an Occupational Therapist for four years when I left school and was working in a hospital! I knew it wasn’t something that could sustain me as I just wasn’t passionate about the field at all. Once I had Ruby I knew I didn’t want to go back working as an OT and started creating personalised hand painted Babushka Dolls for baby presents! This kept 28

me busy for a couple of years and was a great creative outlet for me whilst I was at home looking after Ruby. I also became obsessed with decorating Ruby’s nursery and people started asking me to do the same for their children!

And that’s how my business started!

What’s your favourite thing about being a mum?

Being a role model. I really want my kids to look at me and see that I’m a hard-working Mum that can do it all! My kids go to private schools and are very fortunate and I want to instil in them a hard-working ethic and know that opportunities are not just handed to you.

I love spending time with my kids, but I find that our day to day (and especially during the week) lives are just so busy and fast paced it’s sometimes hard to find the time to really connect one on one so I’m really trying to think about that now going forward.

If you could style anyone’s home, whose would it be?

Harry and Megan’s! I really think they are going to call me any second to do the nursery …

I’m keeping my diary open ….

Favourite colour?

I absolutely love deep moody blue and dusty muted shades of pink. I also think that paint is the easiest and cheapest ways to create a mood in a room and the best thing about it is you can paint over it again and again!!!

What are your favourite key pieces to use when styling a children’s room?

Beautiful linen is essential, and this is something that touches your child’s skin every single night! I also love to invest in custom made bedheads using textural linens. Bookcases are also essential, and I love to specify ones that are a little different like the house shelf from This Little Love.

Here are Nicole’s top 5 tips for creating a beautiful and functional kid’s space: 1. Don’t crowd the space!

A room needs space to breathe so don’t fill up the room with unnecessary furniture and just focus on the essential furniture pieces that your child will use most. This will also encourage your child to keep their rooms clean easier and generally look less cluttered.

2. Use child friendly materials When choosing a fabric for a bedhead make sure it’s one that can be cleaned easily and also opt for darker colors.

3. Storage, Storage, Storage Storage is essential in any kids’ room, As your child grows up into a young adult, they will still need adequate storage space.

What starts out as room for toys and soft teddies will evolve into storage for clothes, books and other personal belongings so that’s the one essential your kids are always going to need and use. Built in under bed storage is a really great option if you need extra storage in the room.

4. Painting the room!

If you are on a budget I always say paint the entire room a color- it’s the easiest way to create something fun and magical! Paint your child’s room in a bright and vibrant hue that reflects his or her own personality.

You can easily re-paint the room as your child grows as well!

5. Rugs I love using rugs in kids’ rooms, firstly to save the carpet that’s under it for Mum (LOL) but secondly it’s a great way to jazz up the space as often carpet can look so boring! I like to opt for round rugs in kids’ spaces as it gives a sense of fun and creativity to the space! I always like to opt for natural fibres in a rug such as wool or hemp.

Check out Nicole’s amazing portfolio at libertyinteriors.com.au and follow the fun at @liberty.interiors. 81.6k other followers can’t be wrong!

Carnival of Dangerous Creatures SATURDAY 15 JUNE

2pm & 3.30pm (sensory-friendly performance) Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall

ALL TICKETS

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$ black

white

A sonic safari where the musicians of the MSO play the part of some of the most dangerous creatures in the world.

Perfect for young explorers aged 5–12 and their families.

Book now

mso.com.au

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Live Local - Shop Local - and don’t forget to mention MamaMag!

Give your daughter the best start to her educational and wellbeing journey with the best teachers and learning environment.

We know girls.

Girls are creative.

Girls are strong.

Girls are kind.

Girls are achievers.

Girls are adventurous.

Girls are explorers.

Girls are REMARKABLE.

EARLY LEARNING CENTRE AND JUNIOR SCHOOL TOURS Saturday 11 May, 9.15am Or book an individual tour with our Early Learning Centre Leader Mrs Shepherd or Head of Junior School Edwina Aikman.

AQUATIC CENTRE COMMUNITY DAY Saturday 11 May, 10.30am – 12.30pm View our new Aquatic Centre, enjoy free kids activities and food stalls and learn more about our Learn to Swim programs for children 4 years old and up.

www.mentonegirls.vic.edu.au

turn the page My Family Doesn’t Look Like Your Family Written by Tenielle Stoltenkamp and illustrated by Go Suga Challenging the status quo of today’s ‘traditional family,’ this book uses colourful illustrations that depict gender-fluid human figures to encourage conversations about the things that make every family unique. My family doesn’t look like your family removes titles, roles, race and gender, and instead uses counting and inclusive questions to encourage conversations about the things that make every family unique.

For readers 4-7 but designed to be read with the whole family or class. www.myfamily-thebook.com

Sticker World: Airport - Lonely Planet Kids.

From designing your own passenger jet and checking in customers, to selling holiday hats and sunglasses, this is your chance to build the ultimate airport. Serve up your favourite food, fill in passports and transport weird and wonderful objects around the world in giant cargo planes! Get ready to create the best airport ever!

This bright and bold sticker book lets children become an architect, designer and builder all in one. Filled with fun facts and more than 500 stickers, kids will love getting a look at the inner workings of an airport.

For readers 6-8 from lonelyplanetkids.com

Frankie Fish and the Sister Shemozzle – Peter Helliar Local comedian, and all round funny guy, Peter Helliar, has gone from strength to strength since Frankie Fish and the Sonic Suitcase, the first book in the series about a twelve-year-old prankster who inherits a time-travelling suitcase from his grumpy grandad, published in 2017.

In Helliar’s fourth book in the Frankie Fish series, which launched in March, Frankie and his best friend Drew Bird must go back to Ancient Greece to track down Frankie’s big sister and bring her home.

For readers 8+, in all good book shops.

What’s a Yiayia? A Book About Grandmothers - Stella Stamatakis A beautiful picture book about diversity and cultural acceptance.

When Eleni tells her friend Luca about her Yiayia, he has no idea what she is talking about. That is until he realises he has one too - a grandmother! Only his is called a Nonna. In fact, all their friends have a grandmother - the only difference is the special name they have for her. Eleni is happy to teach her friends about her yiayia, the special things they do together and the delicious food they cook.

In the same way that she is curious to learn about her friends’ backgrounds and what they call their grandmothers. What do you call your grandmother?

For readers 4 to 8. Purchase from www.stellastamatakis.com or Amazon.

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Little voices have lots to say Our greatest asset are your children, so we asked them to tell you what they like about Sentia!

program focuses on developing opportunities for children to discover, explore and learn through play.

At Sentia we love what we do and it shows! We care about you and your child.

Book a tour today to see our expansive city space and meet our wonderful carers.

Our childcare and kindergarten

sentia.vic.edu.au

450 Flinders Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000 T: 03 9629 9860 Get more from mama - www.mamamag.com.au | Get social with mama - @localmamamag

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Jump, Dance, W r ig g

le a n d

g! n i S

Cool and Creative Music & Movement classes in Port Melbourne, Albert Park, Beaumaris & Black Rock for ages 6 months to 5 years.

fun Have ile w h ng i learn

15 expeyrears+ ience

Learning music uses more parts of the brain than any other activity.

Why choose Little Feet Music?

The music is all live! Everyone loves live music!

Enrol into any BEAUMARIS or BLACK ROCK term class and use the code BBR2019LFM to get a 20% DISCOUNT! As heard on the ABC Kids Listen App and Qantas, Virgin and Singapore Airlines inflight entertainment

0410 600 060 | 9587 1216 | info@littlefeetmusic.com.au littlefeetmusic.com.au 34

Live Local - Shop Local - and don’t forget to mention MamaMag!

MORE TIME FOR FUN A lot of what we do as parents doesn’t come under the ‘Fun’ category - the cleaning, the organising, the saying ‘no’, the enforcing of the rules. It’s easy for fun to take the back seat to all of this routine, but it shouldn’t.

The fun we have with our kids creates golden memories and is one of the best ways to ensure our kids grow into confident, happy adults. So we’ve put together some inspiration to help you make more time for fun, every day:

Prioritise fun Having fun with the kids teaches them social skills and knowing that you love playing with them is invaluable for their self-esteem and confidence. What could be more important than that?

But is having fun with the kids a priority? Try saying ‘having fun with the kids is not a priority’ and see how that sounds – it’s a quick way to realise that yes, having fun with the kids should be a priority for you.

Make fun part of your routine...

What’s your daily routine? Is fun a part of it or just something that happens if you have time?

Every day we make time to get dressed, brush our teeth, do the school run, make meals, read stories, do bath time, get ready for bed...

Take a look at your routine and see where fun naturally fits in, then book it in as a nonnegotiable part of your day.

...and make your routine fun An easy way to get in more fun is to make more of the daily routine fun, for both you and the kids. Turn as many parts of the day into a game as you can – from brushing teeth to doing the supermarket shopping, it can all be fun if you put your mind to it.

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Ignore the outside world The minute you look at your phone or log on to your laptop the kids know the fun is over.

Having fun requires your full attention, so turn off your phone and vow not to check Facebook, Instagram or emails during fun time. There’s time to do that later.

Keep things simple How much time everyday do you spend deciding what to wear? Make like Steve Jobs and have your own personal uniform. He wore jeans, a black turtle neck and trainers everyday – to avoid decision making fatigue, saving his mental time and energy for more important things.

The same technique works for making time for fun – create your own uniform (turtle neck not required!) so that you can be ready in 5 minutes, and save that time for having fun.

Plan out the week’s meals; breakfast, lunch and dinner – then create a shopping list and do it all online. This is going to take an hour or so, but then you’re done for the week – no multiple trips to the supermarket, no deciding what to cook every day, and, you got it, making more time for fun.

Avoid adults As soon as an adult turns up, the fun switch is turned off. You can’t be the fun one when you’re talking to someone else, so ban adults when you’re having fun time with the kids. Save it for when they’re having fun times with their friends.

Say ‘No’ more Making time to have real quality time with the kids, just you and them, might mean saying ‘no’ to some of the play dates and events they get invited to. You don’t have to make up a mystery illness, just tell the other parents you’re making time for one-on-one fun and see how the idea catches on.

Get help

Be perfectly imperfect

Talk to your partner about this and find ways you can help each other to make time. Share the bathtime/bedtime/mealtime/homework duties so you can both have time to play.

The dishes can wait…

Always ‘The Enforcer’? Talk about this too.

Enforcing works best when you support each other and this role really is better shared. Have a childminder/babysitter? Get them to do the dishes/make the dinner or lunches.

Ask a relative or friend your kids look up to to give them some help with schoolwork, say an hour a week, and use that time to do some of the chores you’d otherwise do on the weekend when you could be having fun.

Relax Having fun has to be fun for you too – if life’s stressful, get out and about and have fun by playing around the park with the kids.

Tegan from @blakeandbruce loves having fun with her son Blake (and dog Bruce!) on their Micro Scooters. For more info visit www.microscooters.com.au

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COMMUNITY DAY Saturday 11 May 10.30am – 12.30pm Everyone welcome!

Join us for a family friendly day with FREE kids activities and food stalls while checking out our new Aquatic Centre and learn more about our Learn To Swim, Squad and Diving Programs.

FREE BOUNCY CASTLES, FOOD STALLS & KIDS ACTIVITIES.

www.mentonegirls.vic.edu.au

resolutIon to run 80% of your New Year’s resolutions fail by February!

How did yours go? Did you declare this was the year you got fit? Well there is still hope, and it’s fun and social too! Join your local parkrun. parkrun is a free socially focused 5km event that takes place every Saturday morning around the country and is open to people of all ages and abilities. You can take part however you choose: walk, jog, run or volunteer.

This year parkrun has teamed up with public health education campaign, LiveLighter, and is inviting all Australians to get along to their local parkrun as part of living a healthier and happier life in 2019.

With research from LiveLighter showing that only 1 in 5 Aussies are meeting the physical activity guidelines, the collaboration between the organisations aims to promote health and wellbeing across the nation and combat Australia’s growing obesity epidemic.

The LiveLighter campaign encourages people to be aware of their health through exploring potential consequences of unhealthy lifestyles, developing skills to make positive changes and by supporting the dialogue and community response to changing the food and activity environment. parkrun is free, simply register once online at parkrun.com.au 40

Live Lighter Campaign Manager, Alice Bastable, says the statistics show many people are still finding reasons not to exercise but a community response is a big step in the right direction.

“We approached parkrun to collaborate for a number of reasons, particularly their strong community cohesion and in response to what our research tells us about Australians’ exercise habits, which parkrun directly addresses,” Ms Bastable said. “Only 17% of people we surveyed held gym memberships and the reasons for cancelling overwhelmingly showed up as cost and lack of motivation.”

She said almost half agreed that socialising is a key motivation for exercise, with many having parks less than 5 minutes from home.

Research shows that while more than half of Aussies prefer to exercise outdoors, we’re still not making the most of the beautiful parks on our doorsteps. parkrun ticks so many boxes - it’s free, it’s outdoors and it’s social. We’re excited to guide our network towards the parkrun community, in addition to the extensive health, nutrition and lifestyle advice we can provide as part of our LiveLighter campaign,” Ms. Bastable said.

Your local Bayside parkruns: Berwick Springs, Chelsea Bicentennial, Albert Melbourne (Albert Park), Karkarook (Heatherton, KM Reedy Reserve (Hampton Park), Frog Hollow (Endeavour Hills), Marriott Waters (Lyndhurst, Pakenham, Wilson Botanic (Berwick).

School holidays at the Gardens

Hate cleaning your own oven?

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Enjoy nature play in your family’s green sanctuary To find your adventure, visit rbg.vic.gov.au/schoolholidays

Ovens - Cooktops - Rangehood & Filters Microwaves - Fridges - BBQs & Grills

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Get more from mama - www.mamamag.com.au | Get social with mama - @localmamamag

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Chris Humfrey’s

ZOO kEEPER experience AS seen on

Great School Holiday Fun! Program runs from 9am to 4pm (selected dates).

Suitable for kids aged 5-17 years.

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

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WIN

1 of 2 Family Passes to Puffing Billy, from Emerald or Lakeside to Gembrook return

Toot Toot! Jump on board and enjoy the magic of Puffing Billy as it takes you and the family through the magnificent Dandenong Ranges.

With lush fern gullies brushing past and Mountain Ash trees towering overhead, Puffing Billy makes for a wonderful opportunity to relax and breathe in the fresh air whilst the train makes its way through the temperate rainforest.

Valued

Simply colour to win!

$118

at

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Parent’s email will be added to our monthly MamaMail. You can opt out at any time.

each!

Post your entry by May 31 to: MamaMag, PO Box 8018, North Road LPO, Brighton East 3187.

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Also in Oct & Jan

EASTER WEEKEND 2019 Brocolli, spinach, carrot, mushroom, cauliflower, pumpkin or beetroot For busy mums, our NEW range of raw vegetable powders deliver in taste and nutrition. Sprinkle or stir through their favourite foods.

Good Friday Train Rides

Proceeds donated to the RCH Appeal

Easter Bunny Specials Easter Saturday & Sunday

Heritage Train Service

Easter Saturday, Sunday & Monday,

Visit website for details & bookings

Full range at brothandco.com.au

www.bellarinerailway.com.au 18 months - 6 years

“Comprehensive high quality General Practice and Allied Health services for all ages”

Women's & Children's Checkups GP Breastfeeding Consultant Skin Cancer Checks Travel Medicine Mental Health 328 Bluff Road Sandringham Phone 9598 6244 www.bluffroadmedical.com.au 44

2 x free trial classes

hampton community centre & hampton uniting church

0419 641 477 alanna@atads.com.au www.atads.com.au Live Local - Shop Local - and don’t forget to mention MamaMag!

Have you tried Salt Therapy Yet? Regular salt therapy can relieve symptoms of a range of skin and respiratory and conditions Flexible & cost effective memberships available

WOMENS HEALTH CLINIC PMS & Period pain PCOS Subfertility Weight loss Fatigue

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get your mojo back Growing, birthing and nurturing little people is a privilege and a joy, but it can also be one of, if not the, greatest challenges of our lives. There is no denying that it can often be easier to just forget about our own needs, palming them off as “luxuries”. This approach often leaves mums feeling tired, overwhelmed, frumpy or simply “not themselves”.

A holistic approach to elevating your wellness and sense of wellbeing is the fastest way to get your mojo back. Here are my top tips:

Eat like you give a damn I see mums all the time who put considerable time and effort into feeding their children a stunning variety of vegetables, fruits, plant and animal proteins, grains, nuts and seeds and then they themselves ending up picking on toast leftovers, eating fast and processed meals or not eating at all. My top tips to dietary success for most mums? Every day eat at least 3 meals, include a minimum of 3 cups of vegetables, ensure you drink 2litres of water.

Start implementing these simple strategies now and you will feel the difference in your energy, digestion and sleep.

Indulge in something just for you There is a notion out there in mumland that we are really taking time for ourselves with a 5 minute break. Nonsense. We have a job in which we are required to work 18 plus hours a day. Taking a few 5 minute breaks a day to centre, pay attention to your breath, maybe do a little reading etc is a great start, but it does not even begin to fill your cup after the highs and lows of mumlife.

What do I classify as self care practice?

Anything that lights you up and fills your cup.

Maybe its yoga or pottery or riding your bike or seeing a movie. Schedule it in as a date with yourself. It might only happen once a month if you have very young children, but it must happen for you to thrive.

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Schedule in movement 5 days a week Movement or exercise is a non negotiable if mums want to be physically fit, strong and capable of keeping up with their kids. It is important for stress management, mood regulation, strength, bone density and weight management just to name a few. Even 20 minutes a day is better than nothing. Choose an activity you enjoy and that is manageable for your lifestyle at the moment. It might be the gym or maybe Pilates but it could also be an exercise app for home or simple walking. Now schedule it in your calendar and get it done.

Movement and nutrition is your daily medicine.

Take time every day to signal to your body that “it’s all good” Our brains and bodies are both spectacularly complex and pretty darn simple. When it comes to the ways our brain and nervous system process things, it’s the latter. We are either in fight/flight or rest and digest. Anxiety and feeling stressed are obvious signs of being in a fight/flight state, but don’t forget that our “perception of pressure and urgency” as Dr Libby Weaver puts it, also activates our fight/ flight system into action. Mums’ never ending mental lists, forward planning and always being alert to our childrens’ needs means that we are spending an enormous amount of time in fight/flight mode. This can contribute to fatigue, anxiety, poor sleep, weight loss resistance or weight gain, cravings etc. How do we remedy it? We need to take a minimum of 5 minutes every day to signal to our bodies that there is no tiger coming to get us (just a raging toddler on the loose!). My go to method is to set a timer for 5 minutes (or more) on your phone, lie on your back on the floor with your bottom against a wall. Place your legs up the wall so you are lying in an “L” shape. Place your hands on your tummy and breathe deeply, letting your tummy rise and fall with your breath.

You can start by breathing in for 4 seconds and out for 6 seconds, but if this is uncomfortable, do what works for you. The point is to have your exhale a little longer than your inhale.

This method will aid in reducing cortisol, your stress hormone and lead to a greater sense of wellbeing.

Prioritise addressing your health concerns Always tired? Poor sleeping habits (above and beyond being at the mercy of your babes)?

Crazy PMS? Super anxious? I most often see mums using their “just get on with it attitude” for health conditions and it is rarely conducive to feeling well and balanced.

Make the time to book in an appointment with your health professional, whether that’s your GP, psychologist, nutritionist, acupuncturist, naturopath, physio etc and begin the process of investigating and addressing the cause of your symptoms. Physical and emotional discomfort affect your mind, body and spirit and reduce your quality of life!

Feeling guilty just thinking about all this?

Remember, thriving, contented mums create a thriving, contented world!

By Emma Lynas, Nutritionist at Shift Natural Medicine, Brighton and Mount Eliza. shiftnaturalmedicine.com.au

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