Northside MamaMag Oct/Nov 2918 by MamaMag

NORTHSIDE

mamaMAG Oct/Nov 2018

WIN 1 OF 4 FamIly passes to The Lost lands festIval Mamas of Melbourne edit George McEncroe One fine brand Time to glow Baby skin

free Local fun for the Northside mum 1

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

Cover image: Jess Worrall Photography www.jessworrall.com

FASHION FORWARD Yeah, yeah, I know. I put myself on the cover of my own magazine!! Hah ha! But why wouldn’t you?! We had soooo much fun at the recent #mamasofmelbEDIT photoshoot and the pics of my kids were just far too cute to not end up on the cover. Not my fault I just happened to be in there too! So what is all this mamas of Melb stuff you ask? Well the fabulous Holly from Motherhood Melbourne decided to get together a bunch of amazing mums, all whom help contribute to your journey through motherhood, for an epic fashion collab. Then she got a heap of gorgeous fashion brands to dress us and our kids, and we all got glammed up for the day, photographed, and the #mamasofmelbEDIT was created. Holly is sharing each of these clever mama’s stories over on her blog, www.motherhoodmelbourne.com.au and you can read a bit about their inspiring stories here on page 6, as well as catch some great fashion tips from our stylist on the day, Karina Dyer. Jess Worrall was our amazing photographer and she has the best eye for capturing the kids’ personalities and was a dream to work with. But enough about us, what else is news? Did you make it to the recent One Fine Baby Fair? We were so pleased to support the fair this year and it was such a fun event. I put on a little colouring-in stand to entertain the kids so there were quite a few husbands hanging out there with their kids while the mamas shopped up a storm. Good boys! We used the event to promote the launch of our Springfree trampoline giveaway too. To enable me to make MamaMag the best mag it can be, we decided we need to know more about you, the reader. So we are running a quick MamaMag survey to learn more about you, your family and what you like and need. Of course, we can’t expect you to fill in a survey without the chance of something fabulous in return. Everyone who completes our survey before October 31st has a chance to win an amazing Springfree Trampoline worth over $3k! Head to page 17 to find out more and good luck! Till next time xxx

@localmamamag

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

WIN

Contents Mamas of Melb edit

7 mums making a difference

Mum’s taxi

Talking to Shebah’s George McEncroe

One fine brand

Valued at

$248 each

Fun from the One Fine Baby Fair

Parklife 16 Enclave Park, Ascot Vale

Time to glow

A mama’s retreat

Summer sorted

Fashion and beauty picks

Baby skin

Why care is so important

Mama can cook

Enter at https://woobox.com/u9xcnb or www.facebook.com/localmamamag

Entries are open to Victorian residents only. Competition starts October 1st 12.01am and closes October 26th 2018 at 11.59pm. Entries and prizes are not transferrable or redeemable for cash. Visit www.mamamag.com.au for full terms and conditions.

Their melanoma fight

Turn the page

Our favourite new books

My cancer journey

MamaMag is published bi-monthly for the mums of Melbourne’s North 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

Teaching kids to care

We love a mother

Anna from Andie Kids

Wardrobe crisis

Having a style dilemma?

Angry children

5 great ways to manage them

Spring declutter

Keep, toss or donate?

Colour to WIN

Win The Very Hungry Caterpillar tickets

Fitness is big But it’s no big deal

MamaMag Oct/Nov 2018

For more information visit www.thelostlands.com.au

Silvana’s story

The bumblebee named Ron

Each prize includes 2 x adults and 2 x kids day tickets to your choice of Sat 3rd or Sun 4th November

Tasty pizzas from Fernwood Fitness

Sun, skin and sisters

WIN 1 of 4 family day-passes to The Lost Lands Festival

10,000 copies per issue across Melbourne’s North inc. Moonee Valley, Darebin, Moreland, Yarra and Banyule. 40,000 copies across all four areas: Bayside • Eastside • Northside • Westside. Editor in Chief/Creative Director: Sarah Cavalier: sarah@mamamag.com.au Local Northside advertising: advertising@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. 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.

mamas of melb EDIT

It’s true what they say - “motherhood is the toughest hood you’ll ever go through”. Having access to the right information and support makes a huge difference to our confidence as mothers. Recently, seven Melbourne mums came together for a fashion photoshoot with a twist. Each one is on mission to help mums survive and thrive in motherhood. They want you to know that “you’ve got this” and if you feel like you don’t, they’d love to help. Let’s meet the Mamas of Melbourne who can help you through different aspects of your motherhood journey and their kids who inspired them to act. The shoot stylist - and owner of Personalised Style, Karina Dyer - will be sharing practical tips to help you nail Melbourne Spring fashion and feel confident trying new looks. 6

Motherhood Melbourne motherhoodmelbourne.com.au Chief Mama - Holly Brunnbauer

Holly started Motherhood Melbourne to give everyday Melbourne mums a voice and a place to tell their own motherhood story. Holly says, “when it comes to motherhood, honest is the best policy” and that “it’s important that all mums are afforded the opportunity to share their real experience of it.” Motherhood Melbourne also promotes and hosts Mamafriendly events to encourage me-time and celebrates local businesses that make the Mama gig easier. A podcast has recently been added to the mix which features mighty Melbourne mums who are on a mission to help others. STYLE TIP – The art of illusion dressing Something that I discuss a lot with my clients is illusion dressing. This is how you can minimise or enhance certain areas of your body and you can control where people’s eyes go, including your own. It is really important to look at all of the positives of our bodies and absolutely love them! By creating distraction in your most loved areas, you are instantly taking away any urge to look at areas of your body that you might be wanting to minimise. You can use accessories or a statement hat, lipstick, or even just a lighter colour in that area. This way, your eyes, and other’s eyes are drawn to your favourite areas. It will make you feel more confident and a lot more comfortable. Plus when you’re creating outfits, you will understand what you need to add, which will make it so much easier for you and save you time.

MamaMag

mamamag.com.au Editor in Chief – Sarah Cavalier What initially began as a magazine for mums living in the Bayside area, has grown into an iconic FREE resource for all Melbourne mums. Whilst it has allowed Sarah to use her design skills and carve out a career she loves, it’s become so much more than she imagined. Sarah says “MamaMag has allowed me to meet so many amazing mums and locals in business and I love having a platform to be able to help showcase their ideas.” Sarah is proud to recently celebrate the 4th year of MamaMag and reach over 40,000 mums per issue. STYLE TIP – Adding a hero piece When you’re creating your outfit, it’s a really good idea to think about what will be the hero piece. Is it a stunning print dress or top? Is it a bold feature on your outfit? Is it your accessories? When you have this in mind it is so much easier to create the rest of your outfit. It takes the hassle out of figuring out what will go with what, because you already know what you’re starting with, then you only need to add your essential pieces to it and you have your outfit sorted. Next time you’re putting an outfit together, start with the hero and go from there! 7

MumLife Australia mumlifeaustralia.com Lead-Mama – Ani Kumaralingam

MumLife Australia helps expectant parents begin their parenting journey with confidence. Ani says, “everywhere I looked, I was faced with images of Perfect Mum. From Instagram to Mother’s Group – It seemed like there was a competition for that elusive title!” It was clear to Ani that she wanted to spread the message far and wide that perfect is not the standard when it comes to motherhood. Ani has made it her mission to prepare mums-to-be with realistic expectations. As the host of Beyond Birth, a fully immersive event experience, MumLife Australia arms expectant parents with the skills, resources and knowledge from a range of experts to help parents-to-be prepare for bringing their baby home. STYLE TIP – Choosing the right formal outfit When you're heading out to a formal event, remember that you need to still be comfortable. As soon as you don’t feel comfortable, you also won’t feel confident. It shows in how we walk, how we talk, and how we hold ourselves. When you're looking for the perfect outfit, the cut of the dress is incredibly important. It needs to fit you in the right places and be designed to work with your figure, not against it. I was so impressed by the range that Revoque offer. Their dresses work so well with all different figures and they are really comfortable to wear because of the fabric and quality of each piece. Plus, they have the cutest dresses for your girls too!

Circle-In

circlein.com.au Founders – Jodi Geddes and Kate Pollard Jodi and Kate met through work and felt connected by their shared experience of parental leave. They both found that when they returned to work, their confidence was shaken and that this was a common feeling among mothers. So together they have created a community that supports women to have careers and family. As a working mother you’ll find real stories, resources, podcasts and videos that can help you with the juggle. They’ve also launched Circle In for Business which is a stay in touch program that empowers and educates employees throughout their parental leave journey and beyond. STYLE TIP – Supporting local mums in business Both kid’s labels, Tiny Finery and Frankie + Roy, are Melbourne mums who understand exactly how important it is to have kids in quality clothing. Tiny Finery have a great focus on using fabrics that are organic, and locally sourced where possible. Tiny Finery are available for boys and girls in sizes 00-6. Frankie + Roy, who Oliver and Finn are wearing, are incredibly high in quality and their fits are perfect for kids. Frankie + Roy are made entirely in Melbourne and are available for boys and girls in sizes 1-12 8

Natalie Roberts-Mazzeo

miraclemama.com.au - Founder Natalie provides soulful support for special needs mums. After her youngest daughter had a stroke, Natalie says, “I’ve since been on a mission to help her reach her full potential and in the process, she’s helping me reach mine.” Through her work as a writer, speaker, coach and advocate, Natalie has created a community and sanctuary for mothers raising children with a diagnosis or disability. It’s a place to feel supported, empowered and inspired through this unique motherhood journey. STYLE TIP – Rocking a maxi dress This Spring and Summer is all about the maxi dress! You will be seeing them flood the stores and that’s for a very good reason. They can be really flattering, comfortable and look absolutely stunning. But you want to make sure that you are choosing the right one for you. Look for one that comes in at the waist, and if it doesn’t, all you need to do is simply add a gorgeous waist belt to it. Maxi’s are also the perfect piece to dress up or down, you can wear them with casual flats, or a beautiful strappy wedge to take you through the night.

Australian Birth Stories

Founder - Sophie Walker australianbirthstories.com Despite planning for a drug free birth, Sophie ended up having a long labour with multiple complications and medical interventions. This experience led her down a path of seeking out birth stories. Whilst there were plenty out there, Sophie found there was a lack of podcasts that featured Australian women. After achieving a beautiful birth with her second son, Sophie decided to create the Australian Birth Stories podcast. The show has been downloaded over 500,000 times and is helping Australian women to find comfort in their birth choices and experiences. STYLE TIP - Creating a versatile wardrobe We all want that stylish, versatile, comfortable and practical wardrobe, but how do we get it? When you’re adding to your wardrobe, think before you purchase. Can it be dressed up and down? Can you wear it with other garments to create different looks? Is it comfortable and does it match your personality and style? And most importantly, does it make you smile and feel good when you wear it? This is something that is really important, especially when you’re pregnant, because it’s best to add pieces that can be worn during pregnancy, but also, well after birth. Luckily, there are some beautiful pregnancy/breastfeeding and beyond labels, like Emilia Elliott and Max & Mee, who have gorgeous pieces that can easily be mixed and matched into your current wardrobe and will end up being your favourite go-to pieces! #mamasofmelbEDIT credits

Written by Holly Brunnbauer and Karina Dyer

Photography – Jess Worrall Photography Concept – Holly Brunnbauer (Motherhood Melbourne) Stylist – Karina Dyer (Personalised Style) Hair & Make-up – Tamarua Beauty Academy Clothes, shoes & accessories: Finding Allyse, Leesie, Emilia Elliott, Max & Mee, Revoque, Cammino, NC Label, Puggle Baby Australia, SmallPrint (Inner South East Melbourne & Bayside), SS Designs Handmade, Tiny Finery, Frankie + Roy, Just Ray, PaperKrane, Jack and Lu’s, Little Designer Club, The Loot Lab and Lucas Loves Cars.

Proudly supporting

Breast Cancer Network Australia

Please help us support BCNA An automatic fundraising page is set up when you register, so itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy to share your goals and journey with your support crew in the lead up to event day. Enter at: www.carmanswomensfunrun.com.au

Help us turn St Kilda Pink on Sunday 2nd December 2018

Proudly Supported by

Boo tour tok a day

Kindergarten spaces available

Clifton Hill (03) 9046 1924 Richmond (03) 9046 1925 Forest Hill (03) 8609 2340 Kew (03) 8609 2341

See website for day fees and inclusions petitjourney.com.au 11

MUM’S TAXI Meet George McEncroe... This clever Melbourne mama has an extensive list of accolades including stand-up comedian, breakfast radio host, ABC producer, teacher, activist and all whilst playing mum to four kids. But her most recent role is that of Founder and CEO of Shebah, a ride sharing service operated by women for women. “I think every woman in the world gets told from the time she is born to not get in the car with a strange man and then every woman finds that at some point she has no option” said George. Until now that is.

So it’s MamaMag, we only talk to ace mums here! Tell us a bit about you and the kids. I am a single mum to four teenage kids who I adore. They are always at the forefront of my mind and my daughter was my main inspiration for Shebah.

The idea for Shebah came when you were rock bottom, recently divorced and looking for more flexible work to support the kids. How did the idea come about? In early 2016, after my divorce where I lost my house, I discovered that no bank was going to loan me the money to buy another one on my paltry income. I had four teenagers to raise and four casual jobs. But no matter how hard I worked, I couldn’t earn enough to get the bank to give me a home loan to buy another house. I was 47 and about to start driving Ubers in my spare time. But I was scared of being in a car, my own car, with men who I didn’t know and could be drunk, angry or violent. I was also worried about my daughter having nights out with friends and coming home in ride-share or taxis. They were choosing to walk home from parties because they didn’t want to get into a stranger’s car. Women using these services and women driving for these platforms could all be at risk. I wanted to find a way to 12

make travelling safe for women while creating a safe working environment for other women as well. Thus Shebah was born.

There are some pretty low statistics about the number of women driving cabs and Uber. Does this inspire you further? Absolutely. We are living in a time where women are at risk and we as women need to stand together and find ways to break through the glass ceiling while still being safe. Only about four percent of cab drivers are female in Australia whilst women comprise about 10 percent of Uber drivers. The flexibility of ride-sharing income appeals to women juggling competing priorities and we can offer it without the fear of potentially volatile male passengers in the backseat.

Shebah provides a safe and secure way for woman to earn their own money. You encourage and empower them to control their finances. Tell us more about the women you have helped in ways beyond just a job driving. At Shebah we not only allow women to work in a safe environment but we also provide free financial advise when they first start with Shebah to help them get the best out of their finances.

Shebah also pays more than any other ride sharing service and the drivers can take their babies with them. Sounds like a dream job. Tell us more. Yes! All mums can work with their children in the car which not only gets them back to work quicker but without the financial stress of paying for day care.

“I think every woman in the world gets told from the time she is born to not get in the car with a strange man and then every woman finds that at some point she has no option”

No doubt, whilst many women are cheering across Australia about your fab service, there are some negative comments about sexism and the like being slung your way. What do you say to them? We don’t have anything against men at Shebah and in fact we employ men in our HQ office. However we just wanted to create a safe space for women to travel and for women to work. Men have had that freedom forever so we are not taking that away from them, we are just adding an alternative for women.

Raising four teenagers alone can’t be easy. How do you balance both work and children? I am Wonder Woman… You didn’t know? No, seriously, I am lucky to be completely supported by my family and I have a wonderful team at Shebah HQ who work hard to make sure my vision is projected.

Any advice you can give to aspiring mums wanting to branch out and change careers, start up a business? Do it! Being a mum is scary sometimes; if you can do that you can do anything. You won’t know until you try.

What can we expect next for Shebah? We have lots more in the works especially from our tech team who work tirelessly to make our app user friendly. Watch this space because it’s only bigger and better things to come.

And finally, how do we start using Shebah? Download the app in the App Store or on Google Play and you can find out more at she-bah.com.au

ONE FINE BRAND Actually, lots! Mama had such a fun time at the One Fine Baby Fair recently. With so many fabulous brands and biz-mamas under the one roof, we couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t help but sneak away from our own stand and introduce ourselves to some fab new (and old) brands at the fair! Check out our favourite finds... @littlenameco

Jacqui & Gabby Personalised pieces for little people. www.littlenameco.com.au

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Parklife ENCLAVE PARK ASCOT VALE As if 2.5 hectares of park and wetlands wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t enough, the developers of the 2.5 year old Enclave residential development added a fabulous colourful playground to this fancy estate of 220 houses, all just 7km from the city. The wetlands were planted with more than 27,000 indigenous wetland plants to provide water quality treatment and a habitat for local fauna and families of ducks. The park features a picnic shelter overlooking the lake with barbecue facilities, communal seating and an innovative play space. A 20 metre long flying fox, swings, basket swing, slides, climbing and balancing activities with

lots of natural wooden stumps and posts to jump between, the Enclave play equipment is integrated into a natural environment to stimulate imaginative childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s play. But it also has a fun element with contrasting coloured rubber matting striped throughout the play space. There are paths throughout the wetlands, great for bikes and scooters and you can go have a kick of the footy on the nearby Walter Street Reserve.

Corner Enclave Avenue and Aspect Avenue, Ascot Vale.

A Jumbo Round Trampoline, with and delivery!

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Simply visit mamamag.com.au/survey and complete the MamaMag Reader Survey by Oct 31st for your chance to WIN! Entries are open to Victorian residents only. One entry per person. Entrants must complete the MamaMag Reader Survey to gain entry. Competition starts September 15th at 12.01am 17 and closes October 31st 2018 at 11.59pm. Prize not transferrable or redeemable for cash. Visit www.mamamag.com.au for full terms and conditions.

TIME TO GLOW Growing a tiny life inside is… beautiful and, beyond doubt life’s greatest gift. But, it is also exhausting, and at times stressful. Taking time to regenerate your body and mind, and embrace the journey is an important part of any pregnancy. We hear of health retreats all the time however, it is not often we hear of retreat’s that cater purely for deserving mum’s-to-be… until now that is. With winter in full swing we set off down the surf coast to a pregnancy specific, wellness retreat. In three words… IT WAS MAGIC. Five women with six babies on board. We all had different stories to share and we were all at differing stages of pregnancy and life but, the one thing we had in common was that we were all carrying life’s most precious cargo. Now, if you’re going to retreat for a few days you want it to be somewhere that feeds the soul, and somewhere not too far away. Enter ‘The Summer House’. Located in Torquay this stunning home sweeps you off your feet, and

whisks you away from the moment you walk through the door. We all agreed that it would be very hard to wake up unhappy in this house. Welcomed with beautiful gifts for mums and bubs, luxury body products from The Essentials and snuggly baby wraps from Goldie and Ace allowed all the ladies to feel special and completely loved up. This warm and inviting space became our haven and a really special environment for five women to be heard and feel safe. There were countless cups of tea sipped while we watched the world pass by from the balcony, and the reading nook was the perfect spot to fill the normally neglected baby books. In the evenings, we found ourselves spread across the large dining table enjoying fruit and cheese platters as we toasted our mocktails. We continued to sit at the table all night long, scarring the first-time mum with our less favourable moments from childbirth (sorry Anna), looking to the future and sharing our

thoughts about what life will look like with our impending arrivals. We also touched on the hard stuff; miscarriages, newborn life with twins, fertility struggles and stillbirth. As one of our mummas shared her heart wrenching journey of losing her daughter at 37 weeks, there were tears, there were hugs and there was a tribe of women all bonding together to heal and grow. Whilst there were deeply raw moments we also had plenty of laugh’s and lots of fun. We were lucky enough to try out Blossom and Glow’s gorgeous maternity collection, and let’s just say we are never taking off the lounge pants EVER! As any pregnant woman would tell you, we often don’t feel our best and clothes that fit well and feel great are hard to find, so it was extra special to indulge in a wardrobe of style and comfort! We spent one of our mornings with amazing local photographer Monika Berry who helped capture our beautiful bellies and changing bodies and who made sure to remind us to embrace our bump’s and pose with confidence. One thing we all agreed upon is that none of us took enough photos in our first pregnancy and we regretted it. The retreat was the perfect excuse to get snap happy and take those glowing shots to celebrate our bodies and the babies growing inside. On our final afternoon we spent an hour in the on-site yoga studio with Jo from Revitilize Lifestyle. Jo guided us through a yoga class

that focused on gentle poses, breathing and mindfulness. It was the first time in many month’s we all had a chance to be nothing other than present. Our weekend was everything we had hoped for. Questions were asked, worries were voiced, and experiences shared. Long, uninterrupted soaks in the bath were had and good food was shared. We all walked away a little more knowledgeable and grateful for the opportunity to make new friends. It was commonly agreed upon that a few days away to just be, and to happily talk all things babies was exactly what we needed, and we are now more ready than ever to welcome these babies earth side. *A huge Congratulations to Keely who has since welcomed her beautiful baby boy Eoin into the world over the weekend. Retreat Team: Coordination @thevibetribegroup Accommodation @the_summer_house Arrival Gifts @goldieandace, @theessentials_airbnb Pre natal yoga/meditation @josurkitt Photographer @monika_berry Thank you to our amazing Mamas... Rebecca Little Kate Rowell Keely Kelly Lauren Samuels Anna Jordan By Meaghan Kinnear, thevibetribe.com.au 19

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Why Baby Skin Care is so important – It is not as simple as it seems Good baby skin care is hard to find, as most of us know, so how do we balance good effective skin care that is safe for our children? My daughter had the most horrendous nappy rash. Like ‘no skin on her bum cheeks’ horrendous. Unbeknown to us at the time she was suffering from dairy intolerance, which at five weeks old is near impossible to diagnose. I tried pretty much every cream I could afford but regardless, nappy changes would be traumatic…for all of us. When trying to get some mineral oil/petroleum concoction to stay on her bottom I started to think about how I was protecting her skin, could I actually be doing her more harm in the long run by using chemicals? I recognised, like most mums just trying to get the job done, that I didn’t think about what I was actually putting on my daughter’s skin. How skin care is not just skin care. I had forgotten that about 60% of anything we put on our child’s skin is absorbed into their bodies, possibly affecting how their body functions. Our skin is fantastic at absorbing things, especially in the nappy areas where the skin is incredibly permeable. I realised with horror that whatever I was putting on her bottom, (up to 10 applications a day in the first few weeks - eek) was definitely going to be absorbed into her system. I needed to do some further research to calm my anxious mum mind. More often than not most of the chemicals present in our everyday baby care products should never be in our baby’s bodies. In products they are at higher levels than found in nature or are not encountered in nature at all!

There is little scientific data on the long-term effects or build-up of most of these chemicals yet we do know that there can be three possible hazards to babies’ bodies from putting chemicals on their skin that should not be there: Toxic Load – Babies’ bodies cannot break down or dispose of everything that gets into their system. How long chemicals stay in the body can depend on two things: 1) can the substance be metabolised (broken down) by the body at all, and 2) what is the normal half-life (natural time to break down) of the chemical. Factor in that baby is constantly absorbing, ingesting and inhaling numerous chemicals from the environment on a daily basis. Surely there is a chemical load you don’t want to add to. Local Reactions – Some babies experience localised reactions from exposure to chemicals, even those found in nappies or baby wipes. Reactions can vary from inflammation, burns to affecting the integrity of the skin barrier. Yikes. Allergic Reactions – Rather than localised reactions, allergic reactions involve the whole body, activating the immune system to respond. Symptoms can vary from hives all over, skin itching or a runny nose, to asthmalike symptoms which can cause breathing difficulties and chest tightness. Not fun. What are the effects of all these chemicals? How can they affect our child’s health in the long-term? Scientists have proven that minute changes in body systems (at the cellular level) can increase the chances of developing cancer or other life-threatening chronic health conditions. That is now why a

number of products are being reformulated as ‘Paraben-free’. Parabens (commonly used baby care preservatives) have been found to induce four out of the six cellular changes that are the hallmarks of cancer in lab studies. Yep, frightening. This is just an example of some the research that I did. You can understand how as a mum, scientist and aromatherapist I decided for my family’s benefit I needed to be able to trust the products I bought. If I couldn’t understand what was in them, or why, how could I trust them? You have every right to choose what you put on your child’s skin, what enters their body and being educated is the key. I researched some common components in readily available baby products and I decided I didn’t want or need them to be in the baby skin care I used.

I wanted to give my family the best I could and until we can understand the full implications of some of the chemicals we are exposed to, I can make a choice to limit our exposure where I can. Remember that absence of studies does not mean that there isn’t any risk, it also doesn’t mean it’s unsafe either as there is nothing to work with. With that I want to help other mums be informed consumers. I encourage you to make the choice that fits you and your family and know that your choice is what’s right for you. By Adele Wriede, Honestly Store www.honestlystore.com.au 23

mama can Cook! Chilli and garlic prawn pita pizza Ingredients:

Method:

1 wholemeal pita

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees. Line baking tray with baking paper and place pita on top.

4 king green prawns 1/4 medium red onion 1/4 cup frozen green peas 4 small slices red chilli (optional) 1/2 tbs lemon juice 2 tbs parsley 1 clove minced garlic 1 tbs basil pesto 1 cup rocket 10g parmesan cheese

2. Peel and devein prawns. Finely slice onion and garlic and chop fresh parsley and chilli. 3. Preheat nonstick frypan over medium heat. Add prawns, garlic and frozen peas and cook, stirring for 1-2 minutes. 4. Spread pesto evenly on base of pita. Layer with onion, prawns, peas and red chilli. Sprinkle with parmesan and bake for 5 minutes or until crisp. Garnish with rocket and fresh parsley, and squeeze over lemon juice prior to serving.

Crispy eggplant lentil and hommus flatbread Ingredients:

Method:

1 wholemeal pita

1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Line baking tray with baking paper.

1 tbs hummus 2 tbs canned brown lentils 1/2 medium red onion 1 small eggplant 2 tbs basil 1 cup spinach 1 tsp olive oil 1 tsp minced garlic 1 tbs no fat Greek yoghurt 1 tbs lemon juice

2. Heat olive oil in griddle pan over medium heat. Slice eggplant into long thin strips. Season with salt and pepper and griddle for 3 minutes each side or until charred. 3. Spread hummus and minced garlic evenly over pita. Finely slice red onion and add to pita along with eggplant, basil, spinach and lentils. 4. Transfer to oven and cook for 12 minutes or until crisp. Serve alongside yoghurt mixed with lemon juice.

These recipes are brought to you by Fernwood Fitness. Food styling and photography by Melanie Katz. Sample more of these delicious Mediterranean-inspired recipes in Fernwoodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Food Coaching program â&#x20AC;&#x201C; great for both your body and your mind. Find out more at fernwoodfitness.com.au 25

Mushroom, zucchini and ricotta pita pizza Ingredients:

Method:

1 wholemeal pita 1 cup mushrooms

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees and add pita to baking tray lined with baking paper.

1/4 cup reduced-fat ricotta

2. Heat olive oil in non-stick fry pan over medium heat.

1 small) zucchini

3. Finely slice mushrooms and garlic and add to non-stick fry pan. Cook stirring for 4 minutes or until mushrooms have softened.

2 tbs fresh parsley 1 clove garlic 1/4 cup brown lentils 1 cup spinach leaves 1 tsp olive oil

4. Blend spinach and ricotta in food processor or blender. Shave zucchini into long strips using vegetable peeler. 5. Spread ricotta mixture over base of pita. Layer mushrooms over pita, add zucchini strips and sprinkle with lentils. 6. Bake in oven for 12-15 minutes, or until pita is crisp. 7. Sprinkle with parsley and serve with fresh spinach leaves.

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skIn, sun and sIsters Approximately two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the time they are 70. But skin cancer is not a disease that only affects seniors. Melanoma is the most common cancer in young Australians aged 15 to 39. In fact, Australia has one of the highest rates of melanoma in the world and melanoma is often referred to as ‘Australia’s national cancer’. My sister and I felt the full weight of that statistic when Naomi was diagnosed with melanoma in 2014. I had spotted a suspicious mole on Naomi and suggested she get it checked out. But it really highlighted the importance of life-long sun protection for us. Following successful surgery to remove the melanoma we went shopping for sun protective swimwear. However, we were really disappointed with the limited options available. It was mostly ugly rash shirts that were very unflattering. Naomi and I wanted to protect ourselves from the sun, but that didn’t mean we had suddenly lost all interest in fashion.

Approximately two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the time they are 70. So we decided to solve this problem with the launch of our own swimwear label, MARA swim. But it’s not just maximum skin coverage that is important, maximum UPF factor is also important when considering your purchase for superior sun protection. UPF 50+ is the highest Australian classification of sun protection. We have partnered with Melanoma Institute Australia which holds great importance to us. It gives us the ability to give back which means we are able to contribute to vital research for melanoma, which will continue to help save lives. This partnership also gives us updates on latest melanoma research, advancements and access to expert advice, as well as opportunities to participate in corporate events, and fundraisers for the charity.

We want to do all we can to create more awareness of melanoma and the Melanoma Institute of Australia. It is an organisation that has a very special place in our heart. Sun protection messages are the genuine base of everything we do, and definitely help drive us each day. We encourage everyone to change their perspective on the importance of sun protection - not just women. By creating a luxurious and unique range of long sleeve one-pieces, swim tops and swim pants, we are providing not only beautiful swimwear but also a lifesaving gift – which is the label’s greatest achievement. Over exposure to ultra violet (UV) light causes 95% of melanoma – pretty clear proof that prevention is the key to avoiding it. The best way to prevent melanoma is to protect your skin from the sun. By Kirsty Parnell, MARA SWIM AUSTRALIA www.maraswim.com.au @maraswimau. Naomi and Kirsty’s passion is to educate and change the way people believe sun safety looks, by giving women the choice of personal style and luxury in their sun protection.

What to look out for The first symptom of a melanoma is usually the appearance of a new spot, or a change in an existing freckle or mole. The change may be in size, shape or colour and is normally noticed over several weeks or months. The ABCDE guidelines provide a useful way to monitor your skin and detect the early signs of melanoma. Please note that this is just a guide and melanoma may present with different characteristics. This is why regular skin checks from a professional are so important. Please seek expert advice if you notice any of the following: A is for ASYMMETRY: One-half of a mole or birthmark does not match the other. B is for BORDER irregularity: The edges are irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred.

C is for COLOUR variation: The colour is not the same all over, but may have differing shades of brown or black, sometimes with patches of red, white, or blue. D is for DIAMETER: The area is larger than 6mm (about the size of a pencil eraser) or is growing larger. E is for EVOLVING: Changes in size, shape, colour, elevation, or another trait (such as itching, bleeding or crusting). This last point is likely the strongest of all of the warning signs. If you see a strange new mole on your skin or an old mole thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s started changing be sure to see your doctor right away, because an early diagnosis makes a big difference in your outcome.

turn the page Lemonade Jones by Davina Bell and Karen Blair Lemonade Jones likes to ask lots of questions and does not like rules - warm, funny stories for the beginning reader about a girl who likes to ask ‘why?’ There are a lot of rules that don’t interest Lemonade Jones. No running in the classroom, not even in an emergency. Dangerous animals should be in cages. No biting. (Not even your worst enemy.) But it’s especially hard to stick to the rules when you’re making life loud and exciting. And Lemonade Jones likes it when loud and exciting things happen. Two delightful stories about Lemonade Jones – a feisty girl with a lot of fizz! Published by Allen & Unwin allenandunwin.com

Watch This! by Hilary Walker, Jane Godwin and Beci Orpin Watch This! is a groundbreaking modern photographic picture book about children using their bodies to make sense of shapes in a playful way, from three highly-acclaimed Australian creators. Can you make a circle with your arms? Or a triangle with your fingers? If we work together, we can make a rectangle, or even a pyramid. We can make lots and lots of shapes – just watch this! A bold and playful celebration of movement, energy, pattern, colour and shape! Published by Scribble scribblekidsbooks.com

Fairytales for Feisty Girls by Susannah McFarlane. Feisty: typically describes one who is relatively small, lively, determined and courageous. Renowned girl hero and feisty author Susannah McFarlane presents an illustrated collection of ‘tilted’ fairytales featuring girls with smarts. Girls can rescue themselves - just watch Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella and Thumbelina create their own happily ever afters in this beautiful and emboldening bedtime book. A glorious treasury for young girls – and boys. Published by Allen & Unwin allenandunwin.com

From Dinosaurs to Diprotodons: Australia’s Amazing Fossils Ever met a thingadonta or seen a fangaroo? What about a gigantic titanosaur or a mighty diprotodon? Come on an Aussie fossil adventure and explore prehistoric life down under. Discover amazing animals unique to Australia. Danielle Clode, the award-winning author of Prehistoric giants: the megafauna of Australia, takes you to the best fossil sites so you can learn about the incredible animals that once roamed this ancient land. This exciting new title includes maps and guides to Australia's most amazing fossil sites. It features stunning illustrations of dinosaurs, megafauna and other incredible animals and fascinating facts about animal behaviour and biology. Published by Museums Victoria Publishing museumsvictoria.com.au/books 30

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My CANCER JOURNEY My journey with breast cancer began on August 1st 2016. I was 36 years old, a wife and mother of 2, fit and healthy working as a personal trainer, and 2 months out from completing a full marathon. I found a lump under my left armpit in 2015 so I visited my GP and had an ultrasound which came back that I had fibroadenoma. My GP asked me to keep an eye on the lump and if it hadn’t disappeared that I would need to come back and see him in 6 months. At this stage, I was not concerned at all and went about my busy life running around after my children, husband and my personal training business. One night while relaxing, I decided to have a feel around and check my breasts – not something I did consistently. I always thought breast cancer was something older women had to worry about. As I was feeling around I felt a lump in my left breast, a small one, but it was definitely a lump. So I booked myself into see my GP again, he advised me that all was ok, there was nothing to worry about. But for some reason I wasn’t convinced.

“I decided to have a feel around and check my breasts – not something I did consistently, I always thought breast cancer was something older women had to worry about.“ After waking up with a sharp pain in the lump under my arm, I made an appointment with a specialist who booked me into surgery to remove the lump. A few weeks later at my follow up appointment with the specialist, he broke the news that I had breast cancer. It rocked my world. I thought ‘who gets breast cancer at 36, I am fit and healthy, I don’t smoke, I hardly drink, I am a healthy weight… I’m doing everything I am supposed to do to live

a healthy life’. I was at this appointment on my own, so my surgeon called my husband Chris and asked him to come down to the consulting suite. I remember breaking into a sweat and asking my surgeon if I could go outside for fresh air and wait for Chris. When I saw Chris he knew something was terribly wrong, we embraced and I could feel his heart thumping. I cried in his arms and told him that I had breast cancer. The days following my diagnosis I felt like I was in slow motion, while the rest of the world was moving forward. At night I would wake up so many times from my sleep and kept wishing it was all a bad nightmare. I didn’t know how to deal with it. I was trying to remain strong, not only for me, but for my family. It was so difficult trying to hide my feelings, emotions, fears and worries from my children and continuing to do all my motherly duties while inside I was a complete mess.

“The days following my diagnosis I felt like I was in slow motion, while the rest of the world was moving forward.” Once we had all the information, Chris and I sat Mariah (10 years old) and Jacob (8 years old) down and told them the news. We reassured them that I was tough and I was going to get through it all. We told them everything we knew and promised not to hide anything from them moving forward. It was so difficult telling the kids and seeing how emotional they got. On October 14th I had my first chemotherapy. I tried the cold cap in order to keep my hair but after my first session I could not follow through with it. It felt like I had a constant brain freeze and then after the treatment I couldn’t stay warm. I remember even going to bed with my beanie on. By my second treatment I had started to lose my hair. Eventually I lost all the hair on my head, my eyelashes, most

of my eyebrows and all the hair on my body. I tried to not look at myself in the mirror because I just did not recognise the person staring back at me. I received 6 months of chemotherapy – 4 FEC, 11 x Taxol and finished at the end of February 2017. Radiation followed shortly after chemotherapy finished. I had 30 sessions. I had to use the holding of my breath method as the radiation was on my left breast and neck area. Holding my breath ensured that my heart moved a little to the right and it didn’t get any radiation. By the end of radiation I was feeling so fatigued, but grateful that my skin held up and didn’t blister. Since treatment I have a new zest for life. I am a breast cancer survivor and I am going to live life to the fullest. Breast cancer has changed me but I believe it’s for the better. I no longer sweat the small stuff, I no longer take life for granted. I am grateful for my medical team, my friends and my family who got me through the biggest battle of my life.

“Life is precious and every day is a blessing!”

x Silvana

Show your support to Silvana and other breast cancer sufferers by joining the Carmen’s Woman’s Fun Run on December 2nd 2018, St Kilda. For more information visit www.carmanswomensfunrun.com.au

The Bumblebee Named Ron How do you inspire your kids to care about the Earth and the environment? Well, what if your main task is to empower them to be what they already are: immensely caring. Most children are born caring about everything, from a tiny ant, to the biggest, most beautiful tree in the forest. They don’t come into the world with the judgement that a person is better than a dog, or a dog better than a frog, or a frog better than a flower. For them, it all starts out as magic. Just think of all the different collections of wooden sticks and grey little stones that you’ve found in their pockets: nature’s own treasures and toys. It is actually this society that teaches them – and once taught us – to judge it as throwaway things, with little value. I still remember when my daughter was six years old and a big bumblebee flew into our apartment. It flew around, increasingly confused, and kept bumping into everything. I tried several times to shoo it in the direction of an open window, with little luck.

My daughter’s eyes were wide as she watched the flight of the bumblebee. After a while, she named the bumblebee Ron and grew increasingly concerned about the fact that he may lose his family if he stayed with us too long. Finally, I managed to catch the bee in a glass jar and carefully carried it out on the balcony and set it free. My daughter and I watched it fly away into the sky. When my daughter looked up at me, she was beaming and she said; “Mum, you’re a hero!”

Now, this may just seem like a simple, sweet story but it actually marks an important in how you can invite your kid to care about the environment. Here are some tips to empowering your children to care more about our precious Earth:

#1. Encourage your kids to have a personal relationship with nature! Let them name the bumblebees, ants and frogs, and talk to them about their families and lives. Inspire them to find their own special, secret places and hideouts in the “wild” – like a nearby park, beach or even your own backyard – and maybe tell them about yours, from once upon a time. Let them keep all those treasures they find, and admire them together, mud and all!

# 3. Show them what you love! If you would like your kids to care about Earth, share with them them what you truly enjoy about our planet! Sleep under the stars, plant a tree, watch the sunset, even owning a pet, will show your children what you love and appreciate about our precious planet. True joy is next to irresistible and very contagious. Especially if someone we trust and love introduces it to us, like our parents. Even though my daughter is now a teenager and she’s no longer naming bumblebees, and doesn’t like being told what to do, she still acknowledges what I shared with her during her childhood, and has developed an intelligent and eco-conscious mind. I even encourage her to create lists of things we can be and do as a family, that would contribute to the planet. And I plan to listen to her. That is my last and most important tip.

#4. Trust that your kids know

#2 Show them that you care Yes, saving a bumblebee may seem like a small, silly thing, and sometimes not even possible. Your kids, especially when they’re young, do and be what you do and be… not so much what you tell them. So if you care about animals, this will show them that animals are worth caring about. If you turn off the lights when you leave the house, sort your garbage and cycle to work, it will show them that those things are actually important to do.

Your kids function like big radio receivers and pick up information from everyone and everywhere. They know more than you’ve probably ever dared to imagine. So, ask them questions and honour their point of views and suggestions for the planet. That, more than anything else, will inspire and empower them to continue caring, well into teenage and adulthood. By Katarina Wallentin. Author of Clara & the Climate Changer and The Baby Unicorn Manifesto. www.claraandtheclimatechanger.com

You are your child’s heroes and role models, so it’s important to be conscious of your choices and lead by example.

“Mum, you’re a hero!”

we love a mother This issue we chat to Anna Kimber, Northside mama to two boys, super stylish fashion and motherhood blogger at www.annamac.com.au and one half of gorgeous kid’s fashion brand Andie Kids which she started with her playgroup pal Steph Eliiott who has two girls!

Anna, firstly tell us a bit about your little family who are no doubt your inspiration behind Andie Kids? I have two boys (not counting my husband), 4 year old Stanley & 2 year old Otis. We are a household that love everything dinosaur, constantly roaring, running basically we are loud. With my business partner, our children are the inspiration behind the designs for Andie Kids, Andie sets are fun, causal street wear. Using only the softest organic fabrics. Good quality simple pieces, that can be worn every day, letting kids get dirty, and allow kids just to be kids. You have a background in fashion prior to launching your blog. Tell us a bit about your previous work jobs to becoming a mama and launching annamac. Looking back I was always headed in this direction and can now consolidate all my previous experience to give the best to Anna Mac and Andie kids. Having owned my own beauty therapy salon, worked within retail management, Visual Merchandising and Digital Styling for a leading Australian label, before branching out and starting my own stylist business and now my clothing label Andie Kids. It’s been a rewarding journey at each stage and I am proud of all my achievements. However, not to forget the important practical wake-up call (literally) of having two young boys.What made you decide to launch your own fashion range with Steph last year when neither of you had any design experience?

Where there many hurdles to overcome in the early days? How did you get started? Our story started in early May ‘17 at our local playgroup. We were chatting about being stay at home mums and wanting a creative outlet that would push us outside of our comfort zones of motherhood (not that that’s comfortable by any means but you know what I mean). Long story short we both said our dream was in clothes design, and it was pretty much all guns blazing from there. We were both lucky enough to have the full support of our husbands (and still do, we hope ha ha!). With Andie Kids, We are passionate about keeping this a Melbourne label, so for us we were surprised how challenging it was to find the material and people within Melbourne to work with and that is still reflective of the Andie Kids brand. In saying that we are new and small and we were taken by surprise by how much work is needed to start up… How hard it was working with young kids at home, losing a roll of fabric… we have hit a few! With a gap in the market for cool UNISEX clothes, our aim was to add a little more life into the unisex market. Every piece is designed to be worn as a set or mixed, as every tee can be worn with every pair of shorts, so even hubby could be trusted to dress the kids and always get it right! (dad proof).

Every decision was made with our children in mind and we made sure that both girls and boys would be happy wearing the clothes. This collection is designed for kids with a love for adventure and the outdoors, an active kid that’s not afraid to get their hands dirty. What’s your favourite local Northside spot for coffee and a snack with the kids? So many good places to choose from, but these days it needs a kid friendly vibe as well as a kick ass almond cap. Currently loving – ‘Miss Maragret Cafe’ on Gilbert Road Preston, and when on the move for the day, I do a drive by coffee pick up… I get a coffee from ‘Brickie and the Barista’ in Thornbury, I have been known to call up and have them bring the coffee to my car if Otis has fallen asleep in the back… seriously what every mum needs! We are talking a lot about fashion and beauty this issue. Where are your go to’s for a new outfit and some pampering in the North? I get my brows done by Micheal at ‘The Original House of Wax’ in Reservoir. He does the BEST job and he’s always entertaining! I am laughing the whole time. What are your fashion must-haves for this coming Summer? My must haves are definitely the Wilogreen leopard midi skirt, wear it with a pair of white sneakers and a cool tee and you can be comfy and look great for any occasion. Any advice you can give to aspiring mums wanting to branch out and change careers, start up a business? Anyone looking to start a business all I can say is you have to commit yourself, halfway just won’t do, and be prepared for the long journey as success may take longer than 5 minutes. You can find Andie Kids at www.andiekids.com.au and on Instagram at @andie.kids and follow her (along with her other 12.7k stylish peeps) at @anna.mac

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wardrobe crIsIs Let’s be honest the mum life/mum juggle is real, so real. I know so many women who now fall into the category of the ‘modern day mum’. We juggle work, kids, home life, social life and everything in between. Having studied personal styling and personal brand I realised there was an opportunity to help others who were perhaps also experiencing a ‘wardrobe crisis’. With my passion, combined with my own personal transformation of being a mum, and I started to realise that what you wear can have such an impact on your day to day life. I often refer to the phrase ‘you are what you dress’. The reason for this is that your clothing can not only make you feel good, it can actually have a strong connection with your attitude, behaviour, confidence and self-esteem. I see personal styling as more than a service for celebrities. It’s a way of investing in yourself, to fill your emotional bucket. As mums, we often don’t prioritise ourselves and I know that through feeling good about yourself that you will not only be able to pour from a full cup, but you will also have a positive mindset and that will in turn help you be the best version of yourself. I believe that personal style starts in your wardrobe and if you don’t have the foundations set up right it has a direct impact on your life. I think it’s really important to highlight that the role of a personal stylist is to identify with an individual rather than a particular fashion brand or product. Throughout all of my packages this is the part I love the most. Forming an understanding and connection with my clients around their lifestyle, body shape and expectations. My role as a personal stylist is to make people more aware of the influences clothing has on them and to help them understand how changing their clothes can change their mood and their thoughts. 40

People can sometimes feel overwhelmed with the thought of hiring a personal stylist, when in actual fact it’s our role to remove the overwhelm from your life when it comes to getting dressed. Imagine starting everyday with ease? Opening your wardrobe and feeling good about what’s hanging in it? Having worked with so many different women across very different lifestyles, it’s been the most rewarding experience. To hear a client say that the experience was ‘life changing’ is simply an honour. The benefits of investing in a personal stylist is far greater than you think. After you’ve experienced a styling service you will have greater confidence, more me time, more money in your pocket and no more wardrobe stress each morning! Within your wardrobe lie the secrets to looking good and feeling great! Your wardrobe should be a feel good zone, not a zone of fear. Together we can work through this personal journey, which I can guarantee leads you to success. By Hayley Alcock, The Suburbanstylist, Coburg www.thesuburbanstylist.com.au

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5 ways to help your child manage anger Whether it’s because of not getting the treat he wants or fighting with his sister over a toy, all children get angry at times. Often it is a reaction to frustration, stress, disappointment or simply when a child doesn’t get their own way. Child psychologist, mum and author of children’s book, The Day My Brain Went Crazy, Michelle Karavas shares her five top tips of how parents can help their children manage their anger in a healthy and positive way.

1. Use an emotional vocabulary with children It is important to teach children that all feelings are healthy and normal; however, children often need tools to learn how to best manage their emotions. Using an emotional vocabulary with children is important as it normalises it for them, and shows the child that you accept and validate their feelings e.g. “Oh that must be so frustrating for you” or “I can see that you look sad”.

2. Use visuals As children understand and communicate at different levels, visuals (or pictures) can also be used to help a child communicate. It is a great tool to help them see and understand what they are being asked to do, especially 42

when they are in a highly emotional state. Visuals give the child the ability to process the information in their own time and act as a cue to inform children what they can do and simplify the message by breaking it down into small achievable steps. For example developing a calm chart together e.g. when I get angry I can: Jump on trampoline, punch a pillow, and kick a ball.

3. Teach body warning signs Parents can begin by teaching their child to look for the warning signs in their body when they start to feel angry. For example children will say their heart is beating fast or their face is turning red. It is a good idea to make children aware that their body is their best friend and their body will give them warning signs to let them know when they are feeling a particular way. As adults we can help children tune into these warning signs so they can learn to better self-regulate.

4. Role-model It is important for parents to model how they effectively manage their own feelings. By acting calmly we can help reassure children that they are capable of successfully managing their own difficult feelings.

5. Praise your child This is important to do when you see your child managing their anger in a helpful way. By getting down onto your child’s level and praising them this shows your child you are noticing them for good behaviour not just when they are not doing the right thing. This can help boost your child’s self-esteem and increase their motivation to do well. Being specific with praise e.g. “I really liked the way you walked away from your brother when he snatched the toy off you” tells your child what they specifically did well, as opposed to saying “well done for not getting angry”.

The Day My Brain Went Crazy is a children’s book designed to help children who find it help children who find it difficult to self-regulate and manage their anger. Michelle was inspired to write the book after working with many children – including her own – to help them better understand and deal with their anger. The book helps children learn helpful strategies for managing their temper in an easy to understand and practical way. The Day My Brain Went Crazy can be purchased from Amazon and www.michellekaravas.com.au

Spring Declutter Why we all need it, and how to tackle it without inflicting too much pain. How many times have you asked yourself “do I need it, should I buy it and will I wear it”? If you’re like a lot of us, I’m sure way too many! In many cases the item in question ends up making its way into our wardrobes even if the answers are no! It’s “just in case”, or for... “when we lose those couple of extra kilos”. Justifications of “it was on sale”, or “the last one in stock”, or my personal favourite, “I can always take it back”, helps us feel better about the purchase, for a short time at least. This might be a generalisation I admit, but us ladies (and I am guilty here too!), do tend to fill our spaces with way too much stuff that we never use. Having said that, please don’t think I’m suggesting our male counterparts are any different because I can assure you, through my “We Sort You” work experiences, they are just as guilty as we are, although they would probably argue differently! As a result of this decluttering and sorting has become an essential requirement in every home. My motto of “declutter your stuff, uncover your life” is so true, and has been proven over and over by our clients who repeatedly express their sense of relief and feeling of lightness once I have done my job of sorting their wardrobe.

For many, hiring someone who is not emotionally attached, yet sensitive and understanding, makes the task at hand that much easier, and in many cases ends up being a cleansing experience that starts in the wardrobe but invariably moves through the entire house! But if you’re tackling it yourself I suggest the method of three piles - one to keep, one to throw out and one to donate to charity. This always works well and “giving forward” adds to the process. We all know that one person’s trash is another person’s treasure. Whether it be the wardrobe, pantry, laundry or toy cupboard, it’s important to empty the entire space, clean it thoroughly and systematically replace, label and organise the area to be functional and easy to maintain for all of the family. Use tubs, baskets and other sorting systems to make items easy to recognise, ensure it is user-friendly and to optimise the space! You will get back your home and your time, allowing more time to be spent with family and friends. So, when it comes to dealing with what seems a task that is too hard to tackle, be assured there is another way, and that it doesn’t have to be as painful as you think. On the contrary, it can be an experience that not only has a fantastic end result but is cathartic and rewarding at the same time! By Jenny Selleck, We Sort You, the creative and smart way to “sort you”. www.wesortyou.com.au

WIN One of the most-read and famous children’s books of all time, ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ emerges off the page in a masterful theatrical experience for the whole family. This enchanting show features a menagerie of 75 lovable puppets, faithfully adapting four of Eric Carle’s timeless stories, ‘The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse’, ‘Mr Seahorse’, ‘The Very Lonely Firefly’ and of course the star of the show – ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’.

Saturday 1 December, 10am show.

Valued at

$128

Simply colour to win!

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On 28 November - 2 December, 2018 at Playhouse, Arts Centre Melbourne

A Family Pass to The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show at Arts Centre Melbourne

Post your entry by November 15 to: MamaMag, PO Box 8018, North

Road LPO, Brighton East 3187.

Child’s name:

Age:

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Fitness is big but not a big deal Kickboxing during contractions was the only way to distract me from the fear of giving birth. On my 39th week, I was going into labour but insisted to do my daily workout like I have been for the last 18 years. The pain was slight at that moment and I was internally debating to workout, or not: “Maybe I should rest today because I could give birth as it’s already time. But then again, it could be my last workout in a long time and I need the energy to push this baby out!” So I switched on the music and started having a go at the punching bag while gritting my teeth with each contraction. It was like exercising during a period cramp and I’ve done it many times be-fore, until it made me go into active labour a few hours later and off to the hospital to welcome my son, Jordan.

Exercising is not a discipline, it’s a lifestyle It started with a catchy Taebo infomercial in 1999, a martial arts inspired workout to music. Billy Blanks is the man who created it and I guess there was something about him that made me want to live a healthy lifestyle (or I was simply swayed by the really clever advertising tactic!) I was a bored teenager who was typically flipping through the channels and chanced upon the advertisement. So I asked my mum to buy the tapes and she sarcastically remarked “I will, but I bet you’ll lose interest in less than six months.” Well, it’s 2018 and I still do Taebo along with a mix of similar style workouts, five to six days a week. So working out has become part of my life in the last two decades and has influenced 46

everything that I do. I l was a health and fitness writer and now hand design active apparel as a business. Truthfully, I don’t have the energy to workout as fatigue and I are best friends. But I get the energy and endorphins from the workout (and some coffee!) The energy lasts for the rest of the day which helps me mind my now very active seven month old! It helped to make me feel not pregnant when I was pregnant and I returned to my prepregnancy weight around three months postpartum. But from a holistic perspective, I’ve been able to cope with big events, including my pregnancy and after. While I’m not an athlete, many people are surprised think I’m “disciplined” while others are convinced I’m crazy. It’s not a big deal, it’s just what I do with no excuses – I push and challenge my body the same way you’d challenge yourself when you want to achieve your goals in life: a big sales deal, promotion or new job, a new house, a new partner and whatever else you aspire to have or become. But you don’t need to workout six days a week to feel great. As mothers, it’s already challenging to find time to take a decent shower! I’m probably lucky because I fit in a bit more than an hour while bub is sleeping and when he wakes up while I’m at it, I just prop him on his little chair as he watches me. Hey I was jumping around with him in the womb, and now he gets to see it live!

Once you start, you’re already there Even if you have your child or children latched onto you, there is a bit of time during the day when you get to be alone. Ok, so that means

you’d be doing the housework, catching up with some work or just trying to rest. But it is possible to set aside as little as five minutes (to start with) and just move, do something physical that you like. You’ve probably read articles that reiterate the same thing, but I believe in making it a routine. That will help ditch the excuses and just get down to it. Routine keeps me sane especially in the earlier weeks postpartum when I felt like my world was flipped upside down. Obviously I couldn’t resume the same duration and frequency of working out, so I started with 15 minutes or so, three to four days a week until I felt a bit more like “me” again. With exercising, I’m in a better mood, I feel sharper and am more attentive. I’m a better person, a better wife, mother, daughter and friend. It sure helps keep my cool when things go haywire. It’s the most inexpensive way to make us happier people and on top of that, inspire others to do the same. By Glenroy mama Karina Foo. Karina is a selfprofessed fitness freak who is getting even more exercise now from running after her seven month old. She also works on her business in designing activewear, Lady Bold www.ladybold.com

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