Busy Mums Mag :Mar 18 - Teens, Vegetarian Recipes, Parenting and Make Up for Mums

Busy Mums Mag

Volume 21 July 2018

*Teenager Special*

Vegetarian Recipes

Make Up for Busy Mums

Editors Note Thank you for reading the Busy Mums Magazine!

With three young children, my life is generally spent running from one activity to another with time in-between to ‘try to’ focus on work, housework and occasionally a little me time. I am not alone in this struggle and due to the chaotic nature of the lives of most mums; the Busy Mums Magazine was born. Devoted to helping busy, stressed mums find interesting, quick and easy solutions to their family and personal dramas.

We would love to hear from you with suggestions and feedback so that we can continue to evolve and growth to best meet your needs.

Best wishes,

Lorraine

Get in touch: Editor: Lorraine Salvi lorraine@mumsdelivery.com.au Advertising Enquiries: info@mumsdelivery.com.au Office: (02) 9940 3097 2

Would you like to become a contributor for Busy Mums Magazine? We are always on the look out for stories and mums wanting to share their experiences & tips Stay Connected

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Table of Contents

Parenting

Can you Really See your baby?

The Joys of being a Grandparent Toy Corner Children’s Product Reviews

Lifestyle

Don’t take your teen so personally Staging a tough conversation with your teen Coping with Teen ‘Tood

Food

Cauliflower & Spinach Dahl Vegetarian Lasange Indian Vegetable Curry Zucchini Slice

Beauty

5 Minute Make Up Routine Quick easy Morning Routine for Busy Mums Beauty Spot

Travel

Holiday Hacks You’ll Love Tips for Holidays with Large Families

Parenting

Can you really SEE your baby?

Can you remember when you last held your baby in your arms, the feel of them, their smell, their sounds? Can you really SEE your baby; Sense, Experience, Embed Our children grow so quickly. While we have a loving, tender memories of them when they are babies over time those memories become something we are looking at, from a distance. As a new mum we can recall these memories and feelings easily but as the years progress they become distant and fade. We remember by having a picture or short movie playing in our mind, therefore, we are outside of the experience.

What I want for all parents is to find a way to be in that picture, a part of it rather than looking at it. Be the one holding your baby in your arms, feeling them next to you, their heart beating, their breathing, hear their sounds and smell that sweet baby aroma.

When my first precious baby girl was born, she ended up in the paediatric ICU for weeks. I would visit and touch her arm, the only part of her body that did not have a tube or bandage. She almost didn't make it, but weeks later we were blessed to take her home. I held her as often as I could, I watched her sleep and like all mum's, did everything for her. I did a lot of therapy with her to help her recover and learn to live with her disability. When she was 10 months old I discovered I was pregnant again and baby number two was born. A demanding and determined baby right from the start. Then just over a year later, baby number three was on his way. Life was hectic. Each pregnancy was challenging as I was sick all day, every day, throughout the pregnancies.

I recall each of them being a baby, cuddling them, reading to them and playing with them. When my youngest baby was about six months old, I knew he would be my last child. I was in his room before I placed him in his cot to restfully sleep and I remember I standing quietly alone holding him in my arms. His body close to mine snuggled into my chest. I could feel him breathing, almost hear his heart beating and sensing the movement of his chest as it filled with life-giving air. I recall standing there saying to myself I would embed this memory into my mind, deeply and permanently forever. I wanted to remember and embrace that moment in time forever, just holding him.

I held him for about 10 minutes. I just stood silently as I rocked holding him, swaying side to side, watching and feeling him. His beautiful innocent eyes gazed up at me as I looked lovingly into his baby blues. I remember his little smile, so contented and safe as his body rested close against mine. I remember thinking I will remember this moment always as I gently kissed his little puffy cheeks, felt the softness of his skin as my lips tenderly kissed his face. I remember his baby smell and the sounds of my other two children playing in another room. I stood, rocked and held my precious baby in my arms and absorbed everything about that moment. His body, his smell, his sounds, the feel of him and how he felt cuddled in my arms.

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Parenting

Now, almost 30 years later, when I close my eyes, I am holding him again in my arms. I can feel him, smell him and remember the touch of his soft skin. I am holding him. Not looking at a picture or looking at myself holding him, but actually there because I embedded that moment within me.

It remains safely stored in my subconscious mind to feel at any time I want to experience that closeness of him again.

I did this also with my other two children but at a little older age. While this memory feels beautiful, it does not have quite the same impact of when I held my baby in my arms and truly embedded that feeling and moment in time.

I encourage every parent to take a few moments and experience this. It will last within you forever and never be removed. It becomes part of you. When they are little, so innocent, so extra precious, take the time to do this for yourself. You will be forever thankful you did. Embed this experience deep within your subconscious so you can recall and access it any time you want or need in the future. It keeps you connected and close wherever they are, whatever age they happen to be. Your baby will be within you forever.

Karen Phillip at www.drkarenphillip.com

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Parenting

The Joys of Being a Grandparent

Being a grandparent is different for everyone but there is no doubt it is one of the most rewarding experiences in life.

Once again in your lifetime you can experience the joy and delight of babies and young children. This time the bonus is that they are your child’s offspring.

Sometimes they even resemble your child or have some of their personality traits, which is wonderful to behold.

Undoubtedly, the best thing is that this time it is without the constant demands and worries and when you are tired of babysitting you can send them home .

Of course, circumstances for each grandparent is different and influenced by any number of the following circumstances: proximity, how many children in a family, the children’s age gaps, their personalities, behaviour, upbringing etc. Grandparents circumstances also differ enormously with factors such as age, finances, available time etc. influencing the experience. Some of the advantages of being a grandparent is that most of us have time on our hands and experience in bringing up children. Time to listen to their stories, time to read stories and time to give them undivided attention. What more could a child ask for?

Parents have so many chores and distractions, but as grandparents we can generally put the chores on hold and concentrate on giving the grandchildren lots of attention. Of course, it becomes more complex when there is more than one child. One child is a lot of work and with the first grandchild you are amazed at how much work it is. Then another child comes along and behold the workload doubles (double trouble?) … another child (triple trouble??) or should I say triple the amount of work and joy. So, when the grandkids arrive, it is down tools and give them your undivided attention. Once again this depends on the circumstance of the visit. Is it for an hour, a couple of hours, a day or longer? If it’s for an hour, it’s a breeze, a couple of hours, very enjoyable, a full day is starting to get tiring and anything more than that is exhausting. It also depends on other factors such as, how many kids there are? In other words, how many mouths you need to feed and for how long?? You had better stock up the grocery cupboard!

Some Grandparents love to cook for their grandchildren , some love to read stories, some love to kick a ball , some love to play games, it doesn’t really matter if you give them your love and attention .

Children accept you the way you are and love you unconditionally.

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Parenting

There is nothing more rewarding than grandchildren who greet you with unbridled glee .

In the long run it is about developing a good relationship with your grandkids. You need to enjoy every moment when they are young because they grow up so quickly. Only too soon they will be off to school and will have other interests. Their friends will become vitally important to them as well as school sports, studies etc. So, it is about the time you spend with them building your relationship and memories. The relationship between Grandparents and their Grandchildren is rewarding and beneficial to both parties.

Grandparents feel treasured and needed and enjoy seeing the world through the eyes of a child .

A simple stroll along the street with a grandchild holds all sorts of adventures such as coloured leaves, sticks and stones which will be collected and treasured. When you get home, you could even make work of art out of them. Grandchildren benefit by being showered with undivided love and attention. They are enriched by the Grandparents knowledge and life experiences. There is nothing a child enjoys more than working side by side with someone to learn something new.

Grandpa may teach a young boy how to build something out of balsa wood, repair a toy or mend a bicycle tyre. Grandma may teach the child to cook, knit or do a craft.

Being a grandparent is something to be handed down through the generations.

My mother was a wonderful grandmother to my children and they hold many fond memories of happy days spent with Gaga. I have tried to emulate her and only hope my grandchildren will remember our happy times together. In the long run it is about loving and caring, feeling wanted and needed but most of all it is about love.

What do you love about being a grandparent? Article by A Iles, Mother of 3, grandmother of 5 and loving the joy of having grandchildren.

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Parenting

LOADED LEMONS

Loaded Lemons is a fun, action game requiring good memory or you’ll get soaked! Follow the lemons as they move around the table and when timer stops guess if your lemon squirts or not. Guess right or get soaked! Anyone who guessed right gets a lemon chip and the first to collect three chips wins the game! Suitable for 2-4 Players aged 6+. RRP $39.00 and available exclusively at BIG W.

BUILD OR BOOM win-games-prize-packBuild or Boom is the ultimate block stacking game for the whole family! Build it fast then make theirs blast! Players step in line and see who can be the first to bring the blue print cards to life. But there’s only room for 1 builder in town… do you have what it takes or will you get boomed on your way to the top? Suitable for 2 or more players aged 4+. RRP $29.00 and available exclusively at K-Mart.

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Parenting

Reviewed Lily D: VAP Lily D VAP (Very Amazing Performer) stars in Orphan Annie, the new girls chapter book from Madeline West. Throughout the book we follow Lily D; a budding performer who is ‘going method’ to understand her upcoming role as ‘Orphan Annie’. See what lessons she learns in our Review

Corallai Join Andi as she is transported to an underwater world: Corallai in this Junior Fiction Book. As Andi explorers Corallai she learns about the Ocean’s ecosystem, its current challenges and how she can help. Read the

Review for more.

Pramrolla; getting babies to sleep by mimicking pram movement. As a parent with a son that will not sleep in a stationary pram, the Pramrolla was an appealing product. The Pramrolla is a device designed to mimic the Read the Review sensory motion of a moving pram, while the pram is stationary.

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Smash Sports Chiller Bottle With an active family who love drinking water, finding the right drink bottle is important. So I enthusiastically put my hand up to test and review the new Smash Sports Chiller Drink bottle. far I’m impressed with the Sports chiller drink bottle as a sports drink bottle. See the Review.

Balance Buddy The Balance Buddy Bike offers a balance bike for children from 18 months to 5 years old. Designed with both children and parents in mind, this lightweight balance bike provides a solid sturdy bike ideal for young children.

Read the Review

The Mini Beanz Toddler Lounge offers a stylish, comfortable lounge chair for your child. It looks and acts like a purpose built couch for toddlers which they love for so many reasons. Read the Review

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Lifestyle

Don’t Take Your Teen So Personally!

Have you heard the cry of, OMG, YOU ARE SO EMBARRASSING! Has your young teen shifted from skipping down the street holding your hand to acting as if you have the plague?

Such behaviour is so teen-movie, situational-sitcom cliché we almost don't fully expect it to happen to us.

But if your child is developing normally and as he needs to do, he will have that moment when he acts as if you are an alien creature he has never seen before.

Your job is to repeat the mantra,

THIS IS A STAGE; IT WILL PASS, AND IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ME PERSONALLY. Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg explains, "The first step of teens figuring out their own identities is to prove themselves different from their parents. In order to know how different they are, they sometimes have to see us as offensive, as hopelessly embarrassing at the very least."

If you take your teen's behaviour personally, not only will you set yourself up for a lot of hurt, you will only add to her stress. The acute embarrassment she feels when you do anything—any thing at all--that might draw people's attention to you (and by extension her) is even more confusing to her than it is to you.

Even if he heard in health class that teens often feel self-conscious and exposed, in the moment of heat burning his ears, your teen's brain is far from rational. He just knows that it feels rotten.

Instead of condemning your child for hurting your feelings, when you are in private, you can try reminding her that turning away from her parents and to the opinions of her peers is an important part of separating from you and you have been expecting it.

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Lifestyle DO NOT ASSUME THE LESSON ON ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT HAS SUNK IN. Many parents feel that having told their children once about the process of adolescence, they have done their job. It doesn't work that way. Any time we explain something that complex to kids they are only going to process the information as it relates to their own immediate experience.

This means that if you tell them that someday they are going to be embarrassed by you, and they are not there yet, they will simply ignore your assertion. That's why you have to go back to the conversation many times over. Explain that the purpose of pulling away or rebelling is make it easier for teens to step out into the world--away from the comforts of home. Point out to your teen that it is his job to figure out who he is and who he wants to be as an adult.

This reminder may well be heard in agitated silence. That's why It bears repeating to you: Fear not! It is a stage, it will pass, and it has nothing to do with your teen's feelings for you.

DESPITE KNOWING ADOLESCENCE IS A STAGE, DOES IT FEEL LIKE YOUR HEART IS BREAKING? If you don’t have a family member or good friend you can confide in regularly, coaching is a superior place for you to blow off steam, manage your own feelings and find out the latest research on teen development to guide you so that you can be fully present for your teen.

Article from: Elisabeth Stitt taught mostly twelve- and thirteen-year-olds for over 25 years.

Seeing how increasingly busy and isolated parents were becoming, she switched to parent education because parenting is a skill that can be taught, learned and practiced. Elisabeth has a special Facebook page for Middle School Moms (and dads!) and can be found at www. elisabethstitt.com.

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Lifestyle

Staging a tough conversation with your teenager

Parents face two types of problems when they are thinking about making a course correction to their teenager’s behaviour: problems that might be dramatic and need an immediate remedy, such as when a teenager does something dangerous. The other type of problems are ones that build-up over time. These types of problems are typically the more common and they occur when you’ve seen this behaviour before - and this time it is the ‘final straw’. What constitutes crossing the line in a teenager’s behaviour of course is going to vary from family to family but there are some things that a teenager might do that are beyond the pale in anyone’s language, such as breaking the law or making a too risky decision. As parents we need to remember that we have the fully adult psychological mind, and so we get to determine what’s not right or too risky.

I teach parents how to hold tough conversations with their teenager in the parenting courses I run. By equipping parents with some tried and tested conflict resolution skills and by teaching parents to use a script, they have been able to have more productive conversations, that achieve better outcomes for everyone.

There’s two other benefits in learning how to stage these tough conversations.

First, I’ve learnt that if I can show parents how to calmly, but resolutely, conduct a tough conversation, they’ll not only get to resolve the problem at hand, but they’ll also be able to model good negotiation skills for a teenager to follow. Too often in the media these days we see teenagers getting a pretty bad wrap, because most commonly we see teenagers flipping out when they don’t get their own way. But, it doesn’t have to be this way. I firmly believe that we can teach young people how to still hold their own and yet also learn to compromise without getting too cranky in the process.

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Lifestyle

Teenagers, of course, are not always going to be their best self in tough conversation. In other words, they might need your help to help them put their best self forward. To do this, you might gain better traction in a conversation with your teenager if you insist on a structure to the actual conversation. If you do, you will control how the conversation gets started and then how to manage the flow of a conversation from thereon. There’s a couple of benefits in structuring any conversation from the get go. You get to start first and that’s going to anchor the conversation. If you do a little preparation, there’s a better chance you won’t be blindsided. Why? Because you’ll have pre-thought about most contingencies. Say you predict that your teenager will get upset if you bring up an issue. If you have worked out what you need to say in reply - at that point in the conversation - chances are you won’t go down a rabbit hole and become lost. You’ll be able to more easily re-focus the conversation back to the issue at hand. As it turns out, just a little preparation can help you to stay in charge of the conversation, while attempting to resolve a teenage behaviour problem.

Here are my 10 tips for staging a tough conversation with your teenage son or daughter: 1. Work out if this really is a ‘can’t-let-that-one-go’ problem. If it is, then work out a plan.

2. Describe the problem in factual terms with sentence starters like, ‘I saw’ or ‘I have noticed’ or ‘I heard you say’.

3. Work out what behaviour you want from them. “I need you to respond to my texts late at night rather than just ignoring me”.

4. When you’re wanting to have a conversation, make an appointment time. Too many parents tend to rush these types of conversations and they end up having as hallway conversations.

Most people want to get it over and done with. But, by rushing conversations like this, we’re more likely to see things spin out of control.

5. Begin the conversation by saying something kind or affirming: ‘I can see that you’ve been doing pretty well at soccer lately; your team are lucky to have you’.

6. Begin the body of a tough conversation by being factual. And say something like, “I want to go over a few things that have been happening recently. Last weekend you went to Mel’s party.

You got home at 1am when we had agreed that you’d be home at 11.30pm.”

7. Keep listing the facts to them: ‘I sent you a text at 12 and you didn’t respond.’

8. If they get upset, acknowledge their emotions. ‘I can see you’re feeling frustrated that we’re having to talk about this’. Make two or three acknowledgements of this nature, if necessary.

9. Keep driving through your facts until you have listed them. There should only be about 8 facts at most. You’ll have to pick your best ones!

10. Ask them to change their behaviour. ‘It’d be better for me if you would respond when you’re out later than we agreed, so that I can be assured that you’re ok. In the future, I want you to get back to me.

Article from: By Michael Hawton, MAPS I cover more of these strategies in my book, Engaging Adolescents, including a whole chapter on how to manage high emotions. It can be exhausting for many parents trying to hold tough conversations with a teenager but, if you have a proactive approach, you will be able to learn from people who have been there before you. www.parentshop.com.au

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Lifestyle

Coping with Teen ‘Tood

There was a little girl, who had a little curl, right in the middle of her forehead.

When she was good, she was very, very good, but when she was bad, she was horrid.

This little ditty was written by a mum of a tweenager, I am sure of it! And for the record, it does not pertain just to girls. It is a teenage cliche we are all well aware of: teen attitude or ‘tood. It can hit at any time of the day and needs nothing to bring it on. Our cherub suddenly drops a sarcastic comment, has the audacity to say “but why”, or the ultimate eye-roll. Sure, we knew this was going to happen but when it actually does it can leave you wondering ‘WTF? I am going to kill ‘em!’. (For the record, no we do not really wish harm our tweens, but caught off guard we can be forgiven for thinking it.)

The thing about teen attitude is that they seem to dish it when we are least able to deal with it. It will nearly always be when you are running late, when you have a billion other things going on, when you are utterly exhausted or in public where embarrassment levels are optimal. Is this a coincidence? Absolutely not. The reason: is that our state of mind contributes 50% (if not more) to the situation.

When we are calm, we respond. When stressed we react. They know this.

Teen attitude is a stage when they are becoming aware that they can have their own thoughts, feelings and opinions on things (usually everything) and hence begin to experiment with expressing those thoughts, feelings and opinions. If they oppose your views or rules then all the better! But it takes practice to be able to express yourself effectively and guess who is the practice ground? Yep! YOU. Survival for all during this time is dependant on you, the adult, to be in the right state of mind to see teen attitude for what it is. It is a time when we can influence how they will interact with others in the future: what is acceptable, how much attitude is too much, the difference between a debate and a fight, effective negotiation skills, and to learn to read other people. These are pretty complex things and are learned behaviours. We need to teach them. That’s our job.

That is not to say that we allow ‘tood’ to be seen as acceptable behaviour. But keep in mind that a gentle nudge, raised eyebrow, or “hey, that is not the way to talk” is maybe all your tween needs to know that they have pushed things too far. By losing tempers, yelling and shutting a conversation down (even one punctuated with eye rolls) only role-models a more grown up unacceptable mode of communicating. 99% of the time it will end in a full blown fight, door slams and tears. It does not mean you remain passive or let your tween get away with being an arse, but an un-emotive response will get you through this stage quicker. Be a role model to the way adults communicate.

After all, that is what they are trying to learn.

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Lifestyle

The other benefit to giving yourself head space is that it will save your own stress levels. I don’t know about you but I have enough shit going on in my life to allow unnecessary fighting with one or all of my teens because they were a smart-arse in their reply to my enquiry as to their day. For all I know, the sarcastic response could actually be due to them having a really crappy day and their ability to keep their shit together fell apart as they came in the front door. By taking a deep breath and enough time to ask ourselves ‘what is behind this attitude?’ is enough time to allow yourself to respond.

If it seems to be going longer than you think you can withstand, then maybe reflect on how you are reacting/responding to the attitude and see if your methods need to change. Often, when there is an ongoing attitude, there is something behind it. If you are doing all the right things and the attitude is still happening, then it might be time to dig deeper. The most important thing to remember during this ‘tood stage is that it is just a stage and you actually play an active role in how long it will last. If you deal with it in a positive way, and not feed the fires of destruction, then the stage will pass quickly enough. You will be free to move into one of the other awesome (??) teenage stages! Woo Hoo! Article from Jo Bainbridge, mother of three teens and founder of Talking Teens.

Writer, podcaster, parent coach, and realist; problem solver, lateral thinker and ever so slightly inappropriate. Sharing the daily ups, the downs and the drama in between, Jo will no doubt know exactly what you mean when you find yourself asking "What The...?"

Win a Book to help you Parent your Teenager: Life on the Haskins Insanity Compound.

This is a comical real life, no filter telling of a mom surviving the insanity of family life. It takes more than studies, facts, and ‘how to’ advice on structure and discipline to raise a family. There are parents on the verge of pulling their hair out and ready for a book that reaches to the very core of understanding parenting insanity. Here is a book that will get them through their trials and tribulations, teaching them the need to ‘lean on humor’ through their own journey. This book is a written and illustrated journey through 2016 told from a mother’s perspective, with crass anecdotal journal entries, 21 unique parenting tips, and focuses on raising three children, while maintaining a not-sofairytale, but very comedic and loving relationship with her husband. This book solidly uses real life scenarios to draw encouragement and perspective from. Find out more: https://amzn.to/2Ky57I5 ENTER HERE:

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Food

Vegetarian Recipes Roasted Root Veg and Quinoa Hash with Poached Eggs Ingredients

1 cup quinoa, cooked 2 cups root vegetables such as fennel, sweet potato, carrot, beet, onion olive oil 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar 1 head of garlic eggs, 1-2 per person, plus 1 tbsp white vinegar for poaching liquid

Method: 1.

2.

3.

4.

If you haven’t already roasted the root vegetables: Toss with a little olive oil, balsamic vinegar and salt and pepper generously.

Roast in a hot oven for 35-45 minutes until caramelised on the outside and soft in the middle.

20 minutes into the cooking time, add the whole head of garlic. (first chop off a small section from the top, drizzle oil into the head of garlic) 5. When cooled, squeeze the garlic over the cooked vegetables and loosely toss together.

To make the hash:

1. Heat a large frying pan and a deep pot of water on the stove. Add white vinegar to the water.

2. Warm some olive oil in the pan and fry the vegetables and quinoa for 20 minutes, turning only occasionally.

3. Drop eggs one by one into the simmering water to poach for 2-3 minutes.

4. Serve the eggs on top of the hash.

Author: Becky Gilhespie | EAT what we EAT

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Easy Cauliflower and Broccoli Bake

Food

Ingredients: 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Half Cauliflower broken into small florets Head of Broccoli broken into small florets Tbsp. Butter Tbsp. Plain Flour cup Milk cup grated cheddar cheese cup breadcrumbs

Method: 1. Steam the Cauliflower and Broccoli florets for 10-15 minutes to cook them. Once cooked, place into your baking dish.

2. While they are cooking, create your sauce by adding butter to a pot, allowing to melt on a lowmedium heat. Add flour and mix together. Add milk; a little at a time, mixing thourally to get rid of any lumps before adding more milk. If the mixture is looking too thin, turn the heat up a little until it thickens.

3. Once all the milk has been added and stirred into sauce, remove from heat and add cheese, stirring for 30 seconds.

4. Pour the sauce over the cooked cauliflower and broccoli.

5. Add breadcrumbs to the top of the bake and place in the oven for 20 minutes or until breadcrumbs have browned and are crispy.

6. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

Fried Rice

I onion chopped 1 stick celery diced I red capsicum diced I cup frozen peas 3 eggs 2 cups of cooked brown rice Splash of soy sauce

Method:

Add a splash of oil to a wok, heat and add remaining ingredients.

Cook together for 6-7 minutes. Break up the egg as you stir the ingredients each minute they are cooking.

Get the kids to try eating the fried rice with chopsticks. That’s what we love to do.

Recipe provided by Joanne C

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Food

Cauliflower and Spinach Dahl

This Cauliflower and Spinach Dahl offers a quick dinner perfect for busy families which offers 2 servings of veggies per serve making it a healthy option too.

Serves: 4 | Preparation time: 5 minutes | Cooking time: 35 minutes

Ingredients: 1 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp mustard seeds 1 red onion, diced 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated 1 tbsp curry powder 1 tsp turmeric ½ tsp ground coriander ⅓ tsp paprika 4 ½ cups vegetable stock 1 cup dried red lentils 1 can chickpeas, drained & rinsed 2 cups cauliflower florets 2 cups baby spinach ¼ cup fresh coriander Naan bread or steamed rice

Method:

Heat a large saucepan over a medium heat and add the olive oil. When hot, add the mustard seeds and cook for one minute. Add the onion, garlic, ginger and saute for 5 minutes. Add the curry powder, turmeric, ground coriander and paprika and saute for a further minute.

Add the stock, lentils and chickpeas and stir to combine. Bring to a simmer and then cover and reduce heat to medium low. Cook for 20 minutes and then fold through the cauliflower. Cover again and cook for another 8 minutes. Add the spinach and fold through.

Top with fresh coriander and serve with naan bread or steamed rice.

2 serves of veggies in each serve of this recipe.

Recipe from: Healthy Lunch Box, an initiative from Cancer Council NSW, is an interactive tool for parents to use with their children to plan and pack a healthy lunch box. healthylunchbox.com.au.

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Food

Ingredients: • • • • • • • • • • • •

Vegetarian Lasagne

450g butternut pumpkin, sliced 0.5cm thick 350g baby spinach 20g garlic, chopped 550g fresh ricotta 1/3 cup milk 1⁄4 teaspoon ground white pepper 1 1⁄2 teaspoons salt 1⁄2 bunch sage, finely chopped 1 1⁄2 cups passata 100g dried lasagne sheets 1 cup cheese, grated (preferably a mix of mozzarella, parmesan and cheddar) 20 sage leaves

Method:

1. Place the sliced pumpkin into a microwave safe dish with 1 tablespoon water and place the lid on top.

Microwave on HIGH for 8 minutes and set aside.

2. Place the spinach into a microwave safe dish with lid and microwave on HIGH for 2 minutes or until slightly wilted.

3. Place the chopped garlic into a microwave safe dish and cook on HIGH for 1 minute.

4. In a large bowl, place the ricotta, milk, pepper, salt, sage and garlic and stir until smooth and combined.

Taste to check the seasoning.

5. Place 1/3 of the passata and 2 tablespoons of water as the first layer in your microwave safe lasagne dish, lay 1/3 of the lasagne sheets on top of the passata, then 1/3 of the ricotta mixture, sprinkle a little of the grated cheese, lay half of the pumpkin in 1 layer, then half of the spinach. Repeat with the remaining ingredients, finishing with the ricotta and grated cheese. Spray the microwave safe dish lid with a little non-stick spray (so that the cheese does not stick to the lid) and place loosely on top of the lasagne 6. Place into the microwave and cook on HIGH for 8 minutes. Turn the dish and continue cooking on HIGH for a further 8 minutes.

7. Change the power to 80% and continue cooking for a further 10 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes before cutting and serving.

SAGE GARNISH

1. Drizzle the sage leaves with the olive oil and microwave on HIGH in intervals of 20 seconds until crispy.

2. Serve with baby spinach salad leaves and crisp sage leaves.

Recipe provided by Breville.Food Thinkers www.foodthinkers.com.au for recipe ideas.

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Food

Indian Vegetable Curry (GF, V)

INGREDIENTS

1 onion coarsely chopped 1 celery stick, roughly chopped 1 capsicum, roughly chopped 100 grams zucchini, diced 100 grams eggplant, diced 120 grams canned chickpeas (½ x 400g can, drained) or 100g cooked potato, diced (see tips) 200 grams tomatoes, coarsely chopped plus a pinch of sugar 1 Tbsp Patak's vindaloo paste (hot) OR for a milder curry try Rogan Josh ¼ cup stock, vegetable or chicken ¼ tsp garam masala 30 grams baby spinach, roughly chopped or finely chopped basil and parsley salt to taste pepper to taste

METHOD

1. Place a non-stick fry pan over medium heat. Spray with cooking oil. Add onions and celery.

Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring regularly. For softer vegetables, add a few tablespoons of water or vegetable stock, turn the heat down low and cover with a lid. Cook (steam-fry) for 4-5 minutes. Remove lid and turn up the heat a little to evaporate excess moisture.

2. Add capsicum, zucchini and eggplant. Stir regularly to prevent vegetables from sticking to the bottom. Cook for about 6-8 minutes or until the vegetables have started to soften. Add chickpeas, tomatoes, curry paste, stock, & garam masala. Simmer over a medium-low heat until the tomatoes have broken down and the sauce has thickened slightly.

3. Stir through baby spinach leaves. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.Servings: 2

NUTRITION

Nutrition (per serving): 440.8g mass, 175 calories, 7.3g protein, 23.4g net carbohydrates, 9.8g fiber, 3.1g total fat.

TIPS

* Herb/spice suggestions: (1) Italian - use oregano, garlic and basil. (2) Mexican - Taco spice mix.

(3) Moroccan - garlic clove plus equal amounts of cayenne pepper, coriander, cumin, paprika and cinnamon. (4) Indian - spice blend of your choice, e.g. Rogan Josh. * If you don't have any fresh tomatoes, use canned tomatoes. * Prepare in advance. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or freeze for up to 1 month. Upon reheating you may need to add a little extra stock or water. * To cook potatoes, place diced potatoes in to a saucepan. Cover with cold water. Add a teaspoon of salt. Bring to the boil. Once boiling, cook for 6 minutes or until potatoes can be pierced through with a knife, but are not falling apart. Drain. Set aside. Recipe By Dr Megan Chircop, Director of Body Sculptors Australia, author of TastyFitFood Cookbook www.bodysculptorsaustralia.com

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Food

Zucchini Slice

Zucchini Slice is a great Vegetarian dinner option that can also be made and used for the school lunch box. It is healthy and some ingredients can be modified to suit your child's taste.

Serves: 4 | Preparation time: 15 minutes | Cooking time: 40 minutes

Ingredients:

6 eggs ¾ cup wholemeal plain flour 2 large zucchinis, grated 2 large carrots, grated ½ cup corn kernels ½ cup peas ½ bunch chives, chopped 50g reduced-fat cheese, grated Canola oil spray

Method: 1. Preheat the oven to 180oC (160oC fan-forced).

2. Beat the eggs and flour together until smooth. Add the remaining ingredients, except the cheese, to the flour and egg mixture and mix thoroughly.

3. Lightly spray 20cm x 30cm baking dish with canola oil. Pour the mixture into the dish, and sprinkle with cheese.

4. Bake for 40 minutes or until set and golden on top.

5. Serve hot or cold with a green garden salad.

3 serves of veggies in each serve of this recipe.

Recipe from: Healthy Lunch Box, an initiative from Cancer Council NSW, is an interactive tool for parents to use with their children to plan and pack a healthy lunch box. healthylunchbox.com.au.

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Beauty Lifestyle

5 Minute Makeup Routine Looking for an easy 5 minute makeup routine that will have you looking good AND out the door on time?

As a busy mum, you know that finding time to apply your makeup in the mornings can be tricky. Between getting the kids ready for school and crossing off your never ending to-do list, carving out a few moments to look good and feel great is usually not the priority.

Reality is that long, complex makeup routines simply don’t work for you anymore. Your time and focus are needed elsewhere because life has changed and priorities have shifted. But, this doesn’t mean you need to go without makeup altogether. It simply means your makeup routine needs to evolve to keep up with your needs.

It really is worth it. YOU are worth it.

Giving yourself a small slice of time - only 5 minutes - each morning to apply a simple touch of makeup can make a big difference to your day. It can absolutely boost your confidence and help you feel more ready to tackle whatever your morning, afternoon and evening brings.

If you’re ready to embrace a quick dash of makeup confidence, here’s a gamechanging 5 minute makeup routine for you. It’s easy to follow and (with a little practice) will have you out the door in a flash.

1. Cleanse, Tone, Moisturise

Start by cleansing in the shower to save you a bunch of time. Then, follow up with your toner and moisturiser because hydrated skin is the #1 key to helping your makeup look good and stay on for longer.

2. CC Cream / Foundation

Apply a light layer of CC Cream or Foundation to create a flawless canvas and give your skin a smooth even, appearance.

3. Bronzer

Add a quick swipe across your cheeks and eyelids. This gives a healthy sun-kissed glow and adds healthy colour to your face.

4. Highlight Glow

Add on top of your cheeks to emphasise and highlight your stunning cheekbones.

5. Mascara 22

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Beauty

Use lashings of mascara to open up your eyes and make them command attention.

Such a simple, yet effective trick!

6. Eyebrows

Use an eyebrow pencil to feather your eyebrows to frame your face and to make them look tidy. (If you’re super short on time, consider skipping this step).

7. Lippy

Apply your favourite lipstick in the car to create luscious, moist lips and to add an extra pop of colour.

BONUS: This quick 5 minute makeup routine helps give symmetry to your face; important because when something has symmetry your eye sees it as beautiful.

Now you have all the makeup tools you need, try slipping a few minutes to yourself onto your morning to-do list. Remember, you’ll feel better for it - and you’re worth it!

Article from: Maree Stuartt has been a Celebrity Makeup Artist in the Film & TV industry for 27 years. She’s worked with many high profile people and was fortunate to be part of the makeup team who won an Australian Film Industry (AFI) Award for Best Makeup on the ‘Quiet American’. In addition to her work onset, Maree has created an online video Makeup Masterclass course that teaches women how to create a flawless makeup look, and that makeup is easy - when you know how. http://bit.ly/makeup007

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Beauty Lifestyle

Quick and Easy Morning Make Up Routine for Busy Mums Mornings are a crazy time for any mum whether she is working or working out or simply wants to have a touch of makeup to give her a bit more self-confidence before she heads to the school drop off, keeping it simple and knowing your products is the key to achieving a great look in a few short minutes We asked Beauty Salon Owner and mum of 3 Mel Von Stanke from Vanity Makeup Bar & Body Lounge how she makes this happen daily. “I work in my salon 4 or more days a week and on my days off I run into many of my clients when I am doing the school run or shopping in our regional centre, and I feel the need to use a touch of my trade so to speak, very rarely do I get a makeup free day.”

Start with a good skin care routine, it is the best preparation for a daily glow. “Take care of your skin before going to bed, I am most often tired at night after a long day but taking the time to do this at night saves me precious time in the morning.”

Choose a moisturiser to suit for your skin type, one which contain SPF is very important and invest in a good primer.

Simply apply each in turn, evenly around the face before you put your finishing touches on.

There are a lot on the market, get professional advice to which suits you the best and it will provide the best base for your daily routine.

A medium weight liquid foundation gives a delicate dewy finish which is right on trend. Powder foundations are fine, and you may find easier to apply, but a good liquid foundation applied correctly with good blending is the look I prefer.

As with anything get the right tools for the job, I recommend using a round buffer foundation brush and apply your foundation in small circular motion, blending until you have covered your whole face. Be sure to blend down toward the neck and up in to the hair line, this

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medium foundation will even out your skin tone without looking too heavy.

Use a light weight liquid under-eye concealer one shade lighter than your overall skin tone, to brighten the under-eye area and you will look and feel better instantly, this is best applied with a concealer brush. By choosing a liquid concealer, like your foundation, gives you’re a fresher finish.

Choose a mascara that adds volume and length to your lashes in seconds. To stop any smudges or clumping, the secret is to use waterproof mascara. It will stay on for longer, is completely smudge free and is immune to heat or

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Beauty

rubbing. Always apply mascara to your bottom lashes first. Then pile it up onto your top lashes for maximum effect.

Your brows define your face and filling in your brows can make a whole lot of difference. Choose a similarly coloured pressed brow powder an apply with an angled brush to define the shape of your brows even more. Brush through brows again to blend out the colour and soften any harsh lines.

Blush is an essential product to make you look refreshed by adding a little bit of definition to your cheeks. Giving just a hint of colour to the cheekbones is a great way to keep your face looking healthy and flushed, without looking ‘over-done’.

Finish with a dash of hydrating colour with the right amount of pigment and shine, in the form of your favourite gloss or lip creme and carry it with you and re apply throughout the day.

I feel with a fresh-faced glow I am ready to face the day ahead and the challenges it throws my way.

Article and tips from Mel Von Stanke, Creative Director, Vanity Make Up Bar & Body Lounge, Mount Gambier South Australia 0887255506 https://www.vanitymakeupbar.com/

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Beauty Spot

shedding light on beauty tricks, products and more Linea by Jim Hannon-Tan Inspired by Oscar Niemeyer’s National Congress building, Jim Hannon-Tan’s Linea is all about tabletop architecture.

Uniquely versatile, it can accommodate anything from soaps and sponges, phones and glasses or toothbrushes making it well suited to living areas, the study, kitchen or bathroom. Linea makes organising the ‘little bits’, simple.

Available offerings are in brass, marble and silicon. New designs to be launched Spring 2018. MADE BY PEN RRP: From $110.00 Find out more: Madebypen.com ARTISTRY Hydra-V® Refreshing Moisture Mask The latest addition to the Hydra-V skincare collection, this refreshing, rich cream mask provides intensive hydration to revitalise dry, dehydrated skin. Immediately replenishes moisture for results that last up to 12 hours and improves skin texture for healthier looking skin. RRRP $ 59.00 Find out more at www.artistry.com.au

ARTISTRY® YOUTH XTEND™ Protecting Lotion Lightweight daytime lotion that prevents the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, containing SPF 15, UVA/UVB and potent ingredients to provide comprehensive antioxidant protection.

Retail Price $ 114.00 Find out more at www.artistry.com.au

ARTISTRY Intensive Skincare Vitamin C & HA It's the ARTISTRY® brand's first super-powerful treatment to reduce the look of expression lines, add antioxidant protection and, with continued use, help prevent the future appearance of lines caused by environmental aggressors. Retail Price $ 135.00. Find out more at www.artistry.com.au

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Reviewed

Homedics Pedi Luxe Foot Spa. Let’s face it, as busy mums we don’t always have the opportunity to spend a lot of time on ourselves or to indulge ourselves in luxuries like pedicures;

Mg Naturals Organic Airbrush Miracle BB Cream.

The Mg Naturals Organic BB Cream is 100% Titanium Dioxide Free and made with natural organic materials.

Read the Review.

unless we consider Home Pedicures…

Read the Review

Gogo Smile Complete Teeth Whitening Kit I was both excited and scared at the thought of testing the Gogo Whitening kit. Excited as it may help whiten my teeth yet scared as I previously have had very sensitive teeth so I worried that the Gogo whitening kit would aggravate them. Read the Review

Relax-A-Mate Premium Bath Shelf the ultimate way for mum to enjoy a little ‘me’ time. Made from natural bamboo and coated with varnish, the bath shelf is neutral to conform to a wide range of bathroom decor.

Read the Review

Autumn Winter Fashion 2018 Find Great Outfits for Busy Mums

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Travel Lifestyle

Holiday Hack’s You’ll Love Whether you’re traveling with a backpack or Louis Vuitton luggage, you’ll love these low-cost travel hacks that will have you saving your holiday spending money for your destination, not spending your holiday money getting there.

First things first… 7 is your magic number. This is the number

of months ahead you should book your flights, and particularly some of the key destinations on your itinerary.

Airlines and hotels typically offer their lowest prices around 7 months ahead of intended travel, so you’re certain to bag a bargain.

Enjoy last minute deals when you have no time constraints.

If you’re lucky enough to be able to travel when and where you want, without time constraints or months of pre-planning, then you’re able to take advantage of the many last minute deals available. These can be tricky to find for airfares, but they are certainly around to be enjoyed. Hotels and cruises are notorious for having these on special weeks, or even days, before travel, so you can enjoy the spoils of last minute deals.

Research, then research some more, and then research again.

There’s nothing worse than traveling all day, only to land in a foreign city and not know the best place to stay and the best place to eat. If you spend time researching, you’ll be all the wiser. If you’re using online travel sites and checking reviews, make sure you check the age of the person who wrote the review. An 18 year old is not going to enjoy the same nightlife as a 60 year old!

Use a travel agent – they know best and won’t cost you a thing!

A good travel agent has vast amounts of experience to call upon. Use their expertise and advice to gain the knowledge you need to make your travel experience memorable. They’ll know the best places to visit and what visas you’ll need to get sorted so you don’t get hit with huge costs (and delays) when you get there. Agents are there to oversee your bookings and the best bit is that you don’t have to pay them – they are paid by the airlines, hotels and any other tour agencies.

Use points where you can… as long as it makes sense. If you’re a frequent traveller, having memberships with different airlines will help you be treated like a member, rather than a passenger. If you’re looking to use frequent flyer points for your tickets, you need to do this well ahead of time and use the points for longer travel distances. It isn’t worth using 8,000 points if the cost of a ticket to Melbourne is $39. Always see if you can link your groceries, petrol expenses and credit cards with the different programs on offer, as each time you buy groceries, you are adding to your accumulated points.

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Travel House swap or house sit, if you can.

It’s a great way to save money on accommodation, and there are so many great online platforms that cater for this exact purpose. If you’re going for an extended stay and want to be in a location for a longer period of time, this is definitely the way to go. Take your time to research places that meet your exact needs.

Travelling with credit.

If you’re using credit or debit cards, make sure you know what your bank is charging you for international transaction fees while you’re overseas, as these can quickly add up. Pre-paid travel cards are one of the best ways to access money while you’re away. It also means that should you encounter fraud on your credit card, the pre-paid money card isn’t linked to any bank accounts, and you’ll still have access to cash while you’re overseas.

Don’t skimp on travel insurance!

Go with a reputable company. Too many times people get caught out needing coverage in emergency situations overseas, only to have to pay obscene amounts of money for medical care as their travel insurance didn’t cover it. Cheaper isn’t always better in this case. You have to pay the money to save you the money in the long run.

Article from: Jen Ferry. From city overnighters and countryside weekenders, to destinations further from home, Jen Ferry delivers tailored experiences for travelers of all ages and stages of life. Conscientious, creative and resourceful, Jen will design your next adventure to suit your aspirations and budget. Contact Jen to find out more, by emailing jen@dreamweavertravel.com. au.

ensure you haven’t forgotten anything by downloading our Packing Checklists!

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Travel Lifestyle

Tips for a family holiday with large families

In the travel industry, a “family” generally consists of two adults and two kids. But it’s 2018 and this doesn’t reflect the majority of holiday makers anymore. Many of us are travelling in larger groups, with three or more kids, and even extended family. Holidaying with a larger group can take a little more organisation and energy, especially if kids outnumber the adults. But travelling with all your rellies can also be more enjoyable (the more the merrier!). Here are a few tips to help you enjoy time away with your larger family.

Do your research and plan ahead

The best time to travel will depend on your family’s individual circumstances. However, accommodation is usually cheaper in off peak times, such as during the school term. If you don’t mind taking your kids out of school for a few days either side of the weekend, you can save a lot of money on the cost of accommodation and activities. Do a bit of research into where you’re going so that you have some backup options if you can’t do your planned activities. For example, if the weather turns bad, is there a movie theatre or indoor playground that you can take the kids to instead?

Book accommodation big enough for everyone

Hotel rooms are great for couples, but with a family, they usually just aren’t big enough.

Cramming extra mattresses into rooms with a few kids usually results in arguments. Apartments or cabins are ideal for bigger families as they have multiple rooms and the comfort of a kitchen and bigger living space, which can make the getaway more enjoyable for everyone. Camping in caravan parks is another cheaper option. Stay close to the amenities block, bring the kids’ bikes and make the most of pools and games rooms to keep everyone entertained.

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Travel Make sure there’s free Wi-Fi

Day-to-day. we don’t even think of our data usage. We tap into Wi-Fi at school, at work and at home. However, when we’re on holidays, the way we use smartphones and tablets changes dramatically, and that can lead to nasty surprises when phone bills arrive. If you have teens or kids with phones, their data usage (and yours!) is likely to double as they keep busy in airports or on the road. While you might be aiming for a device-free week, there will be situations where the kids will need to keep themselves entertained. To avoid post-holiday bill shock, make sure your accommodation has free Wi-Fi so they can keep in touch with friends over social media, watch YouTube videos and play games. You might also use it to catch up on some Netflix from your laptop once they’ve gone to bed!

Don’t do too much in one day

As a rule of thumb, schedule one main activity each day. This gives everyone something to look forward to, without the stress of sticking to a strict time schedule so that you can fit everything in.

When planning activities, think about what your youngest will be able to do. Kids get tired quickly and they can’t walk around for as long as adults, so make sure they will have the energy to enjoy it too. This will also give you room to move if things go wrong – if you get lost, you will have spare time to navigate your way around and if you finish the activity early, everyone is free to do what they want for the rest of the day.

Have a food budget

Feeding the family doesn’t come cheap when you’re at home, or on a holiday. Food will take up a large portion of your holiday budget so it’s worthwhile to cut costs where you can. Try to avoid eating out and pre-pack food when possible. If your accommodation has a good kitchen and fridge, prepare meals at the start of the week and pop them into the fridge so they’re ready for each day. If you want to eat out one night, let the kids know when and where you’ll go so they can look forward to it. This might also stop them from asking you to buy fast food on other days!

Big family holidays create lifelong memories for your kids. With a bit of planning, your trip away can be an enjoyable and well deserved break for everyone!

Bessie Hassan is the Money Expert at finder.com.au, the site that compares virtually everything including data usage!

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