Mother's Day Gift Guide 2017

Mother’s Day

Gift Guide 2017

Around the House

Avanti Hero 2pc Double Wall Glass Set Not too hot, not too cold..just right.

Serve tea and coffee in style with this 2 piece Double Wall Glass Set from Avanti Twin wall construction maintains temperature 250 mil capacity / dishwasher safe RRP: $26.95 Available from: www.latestbuy.com.au

Philips Grain Master Powered by Philips innovative FragrantTaste Technology, with its automatic optimum controlled heating temperatures, every grain of rice is well cooked to shiny fluffy fragrant taste. RRP: $159.00 Available from: Myer

Breville the One Precision Poacher The perfect device for the domestic kitchen, the One Precision Poacher is versatile and multifunctional.

Utilising precise temperature control with an integrated probe to produce results that can’t be achieved through any other cooking technique, home cooks can expect consistent, perfect results every time. RRP: $199.95 Available from: www.breville.com.au

Australian Designed Tea towels A beautiful range of tea towels. Designs have been hand drawn & hand painted by Australian designer Lauren Rugless. These bright and colourful tea towels are 100% cotton, dyed with water-based eco-friendly dyes. All designs are inspired by Australian themes. RRP: $36 Available from: https://nicoyafurniture.com.au/ collections/tea-towels

Foucault’s Pendulum Creates beautiful patterns on sand Sand pictures are written and rewritten for over five minutes Instruction manual included Makes a lovely gift for mum.

RRP: $39.95 Available from: www.latestbuy.com.au Weight watchers Body Balance bluetooth diagnostic scale. This comprehensive and easy-to-use set of scales works with your smartphone/ tablet to help you achieve your health and fitness goals, every step of the way!

RRP: $129.95 Stockists: Harvey Norman, Bing Lee and Myer

The Delicake Master is the must have product for the home baker and entertainer. Our Masters will help you create no bake masterpieces including dessert recipes, vegan recipes and savory recipes.

Offering an all in one solution, saving you time and effort– no lining required, no scooping out, no detached base to remove and no extra washing up. RRP: $49.95 Available from: Delicake.com.au

Read the Review

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Contigo Autoseal Travel Mug 100% leak and spill proof travel bottle!

BPA Free and perfectly contoured for easy holding. To drink, you simply press the button and when you release the button it automatically seals! It has a doublewall, vacuum-insulated mug with awesome temperature retention. 473ml RRP: $33.95 Available from: www.latestbuy.com.au LifeSpring Slow Juicer Quick Korean Technology and Design, LED Buttons, Smart Auto Reverse Function and High Quality Juice. The Latest Cold Press Juicer in Australia. Comes with a 14 Years Extended Warranty.

RRP: On Special for $299 Read the review.

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Prepara iPrep Tablet Stand w/ Stylus Get some geek chic in the kitchen.

A very handy accessory for gourmet cooks Allows the cook to consult the cookbook easily Foldable feature with non-slip base RRP: $34.95 Available from: www.latestbuy.com.au

Mother’s Day Competition Over $1,000 in prizes!

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Free DIY Mother’s Day Coupon Book

Indulge

Celebrating You! A beautiful gift filled with tropical delights and natural earthy tones. Whisk Mum away to a tropical paradise with a luxury soy wax candle of white peach and summer nectarines, and spoil her with beautiful coastal inspired jewellery by Holiday.

Gift Box Includes: Astryd Necklace by Holiday White & Grey Gadabout Earrings by Holiday Peche Royal Cedarwick Candle by Sohum - 80hrs Burn Time RRP: $79.00 Available from: www.prettylittlesomething.com.au

Breville Lavish Velvet heated throw The Breville Lavish Velvet heated throw is the perfect companion for watching a movie, reading a book or simply relaxing. Adjust the level of warmth using three variable heat settings on the detachable controller. With an auto-off safety feature and Thermoguard overheat protection, be safe and cosy this winter. RRP: $129.95 Available from: www.breville.com.au

Magic Pod Mini Massager Give yourself a magic massage anytime you need it. With a vibrating self-massage tool you can release the tension in your body. The small and portable design makes it easy to take when travelling or simply to keep in the TV room for when needed.

RRP: $24.95 (Currenlty on sale $14.95) Available from: www.latestbuy.com.au

Pamper & Bliss Box Designed with relaxation and rejuvenation in mind, the Pamper & Bliss Gift Box is perfect for anyone in need of a little TLC. Handpicked to create blissful “Me Time” for anyone who needs a little unwinding and relaxation. We’ve thoughtfully selected products to ease the mind and soothe the body in a calm and natural way.

Gift Box Includes: 1 x Botica Bliss Organic Bath Tea (Large) 1 x Paw Paw Lip Butter Tin 1 x Sohum Botanical Candlette 2 x Pure Tilley Australia Soap Bars RRP: $43.00 Available from: www.prettylittlesomething.com.au

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Well Naturally No sugar Added Chocolate The Well Naturally range is real chocolate (super smooth and delicious!) sweetened naturally with stevia, a plant-based sweetener with no calories and no impact on blood sugar levels.

RRP: $2.80 for 45g bar $5 for 90g bloc Available from: Woolworths, Coles, independent grocers, health food stores and good pharmacies nationwide.

100% Soy Wax Candles Living Fundraisers’ candles are available to fundraising groups and individuals throughout Australia. Perfect for Mother’s Day stalls, each candle comes in a glass which sits inside a beautifully designed box. Scents include Lemongrass, Pomegranate, French Linen, Fresh Fig & Vanilla and Cherry Blossom. RRP: $15 each of which the fundraising group keeps $6 Available from: www.livingfundraisers.com.au email info@livingfundraisers.com.au or call 1300 848 993

Jasmine Bath Salts Relax, warm and uplift your spirit. Jasmine oil heals dry skin and aids the fading of scars. Jasmine is wonderful to help heal from eczema and dermatitis. Revitalise your energy and resources, and ease tired muscles naturally with these epsom salts. RRP: $16.00 Available: www.freyasnourishment.com.au

Enjoy a bath this Mothers Day. As busy mums, we spend much of our time looking after our children with little thought about ourselves. Bathing, especially in the cooler winter months offers a number of physical and psychological benefits. Baths offer a great way to relax, replenish and revitalise. Pre-children I used to love long baths and while I don't often get time anymore to enjoy a long bath, even a 15-minute break can make all the difference to how you feel. Here is why you should make the time to enjoy a bath:

Relief for aching muscles

The warm heat from a bath will help to penetrate and soothe muscles while relaxing your body. Bathing is great when experiencing tight muscle pain or painful cramps.

The effectiveness of your bath in soothing your muscle issues can be further increased with products designed to promote muscle relaxation. Adding Epsom salts to your bath offers a quick and easy option to help soothe muscles.

Promoting skin circulation

Your body responds to the heat from a warm bath by sending more blood to the skins surface and by doing so, it helps promote your skin circulation.

Skin Benefits

Warm baths will help open up your pores, helping you to give yourself a better clean and after a warm bath, your moisturising effort will also be more effective.

Health Benefits

In a warm bath, your body will expand your arteries and veins temporarily which helps lower your blood pressure, making you feel more relaxed. The steam from the bath can help decongest your lungs and sinuses.

Relaxation

With young children, the number of baths I take and the time I have in them is limited, however each time, the alone time is fantastic, relaxing and makes me feel great. Essential Oils or candles can also help create a calming/relaxing experience.

Baths can be more effective with the right bathing products to nourish and provide long lasting effects to your body. Here are some of the ones we tested and enjoyed.

Bathing Products we Lavender and Frankincense

Soothe your nerves and cleanse your skin. The calming energy of lavender is paired with the skin-renewing and antiseptic qualities of frankincense. These salts will tone and tighten skin, and bring a peaceful vitality to your day.

MD Says: The smell of the lavender is lovely and not overpowering. The bath salts melt away in the bath and as they do, you can feel yourself relaxing. You do feel a slight coating on your skin from the Frankincense oil which definitely made my skin feel smoother. While I cannot comment on it relieving stress and anxiety yet; I like the idea that it can and will continue using it to de-stress as needed. Available from: www.freyasnourishment.com.au RRP: $16.00

Original Mud Detox Bath & Body Mask

MUD is a clay bath powder designed to detox your body, smooth your skin and relax your mind. MUD's key ingredient, Bentonite clay, has an electrical charge which comes to life when married with water.

The negative charge in the clay attracts the positive charge found in toxins, and this is how toxins are extracted.

MD Says: I like that the Mud Bath can be used as a masque or within the bath. We tested both and found both to work well. You need to mix the liquid together which is easy to do, however smells awful. Luckily the smell does not remain on you. In the bath, it is easy to relax and simply enjoy the water as it apparently helps remove toxins. Compared to a coffee scrub, the mud bath is less messy and much easier to clean from the bath. As a masque, the mixture wasn’t very thick. I could feel a slight tingling on my face as it was working and it did harden. After removing the mixture, my face felt super smooth and my pores looked smaller.

RRP: $24.95 Available from: https://www.mudmudmud.com

Coffee Coconut Scrub

This deliciously scented scrub leaves your skin beautifully moisturised and glowing. The caffeine in this scrub helps to plump the cells thereby reducing the appearance of cellulite. The coconut oil nourishes your body and the cinnamon is a natural antiseptic helping reduce the bacteria on your skin, helping to diminish spots and smooth out bumps and blemishes.

MD Says: The Scrub was easy to use. Dry in the pouch, it is easy to get the scrub and there is a slight coconut smell mixed into the caffeine smell. Once you wash the scrub off, you can feel the coconut oil and your skin feels smoother and softer.

Available from: www.freyasnourishment.com.au RRP: $18.00

Coconut & Lavender Milk Bath

A fantastic relaxing soak to help you de-stress and to nourish dry skin. As it is made from natural ingredients it is safe for the whole family to use.

MD Says: The milk texture in the bath is calming and you can feel the oil within the water which help make your skin feel smooth. The coconut/lavender scent is soothing giving you a relaxing bath.

RRP $16.95 Available from http://ohsococo.com.au/

Style

Philips EasyShine Ionic Styling Brush The Philips Ionic Styling Brush now helps to make your hair smooth and shiny anytime, anywhere with great brushing experience.

RRP: $39.95 Available from: Myer

Bandelettes You don’t have to suffer from annoying chafing or irritation in your inner thigh area anymore thanks to Bandelettes. They offer superior comfort and feel sexy to wear.

Read the Reviews to find out more!

RRP: USD $14.99

Mother & Daughter Linked Hearts Necklace A gift to express the bond between mother and daughter. Sterling silver necklace with rose gold plated charms. Range includes Sisters, Friends and Family in linked hearts or circles. RRP $59.95 Available from: www.charlibird.com.au

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Sock Subscriptions for Mum! Soxy Beast is a Melbourne based sock subscription service. You pay a small amount for a pair of bold, artist designed socks to be delivered straight to your door. RRP: From $15 per month Available from: www.soxybeast.com.au

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Wonder Woman Tank The Wonder Woman tank with iconic imagery is a must have staple for any wardrobe. Be street-chic and dress it up with a leather jacket to complete the look RRP: $15 Available from: Big W Freez Twist Dress This dress is a must have trans seasonal style, wear with a heel as is or layer with opaque tights, boots & a blazer for cooler temps.

RRP: $59 Available from: www.freez.com.au

Weekender Jeans So comfortable, yet so stylish! We are so in love with these jeans!

Featuring a mid rise style, soft denim feel, and roll up cuffs.

RRP: $49.00 Available from: www. keeclothing.com.au

18k gold bracelet with turquoise stone inlay. Plated over a high quality allergy free brass base metal and sealed with a non allergenic coating for increased durability. The turquoise stone inlay is a sustainable reconstituted turquoise.

The simple aesthetic of this bracelet gives it a timeless elegance that holds its own through the transitions of fashion trends.

RRP $100 Available from: https://www.hansel.com.au Wonder Woman Raglan Dress The Wonder Woman raglan dress is a timeless show stopper!

Be casual with a denim jacket and flats or dress it up with ankle boots.

A fabulous piece to transcend the seasons! RRP: $20 Available from: Big W

Double sided scarf in black & white Two scarves in one. This soft wool blend scarf is black with white dots on one side and white with black dots on the other side. Also available in charcoal and orange.

Measures 180 x 34cms RRP: $49.95 Available from: www.charlibird.com.au

Out and About Globber 18.0 by Kleefer The stylish Globber 18.0 by Kleefer features a clever kickfold mechanism folding in one second flat, making it easy to pull along or store away.

Large wheels, quality parts, wide deck and soft grips make this scooter a seriously smooth, comfortable ride.

Available from independent retailers and www.globber.com.au for $350.

Dreambaby® EZY-Reach Organiser With its generous storage, it’s just the thing to store all your musthaves when you’re out with little ones. It attaches to your pram and has two internal drink holders and also comes with a Zip-On, Zip-Off wristlet with headphone access. Available in two Black or Grey from all good baby stores.

RRP: $29.95

R Altec Lansing’s Mini Lifejacket III The Altec Lansing’s Mini Lifejacket III is a portable speaker features a tough, rugged and compact design. It’s water-proof, dust-proof, shock-proof, kid-proof and it even floats. Plus it provides crystal clear, powerful sound.

RRP: $149.95 Available from: Target, Anaconda and The Good Guys

OtterBox Symmetry Series Crystal Edition for iPhone 7 Function meets style in this chic tech-ccessory.

The limited edition Symmetry Series Crystal Edition is crafted with genuine Swarovski crystals fabric and is sure to make mum feel very special. RRP: AU$149.95 Available from: www.otterbox.com

The Nikon D5600 will truly help you bring creativity to life.

With 24.2 effective megapixels, you can capture beautiful and vibrant imagery and Full HD videos – even in lowlight situations. Available from: Australian Authorised Resellers such as Harvey Norman, Ted’s Cameras or JB HiFi. Find out more at: http://www.nikon.com.au/en_AU/product/ digital-slr-cameras/d5600

LifeProof NÜÜD for iPhone 7 Just because she’s your mum, doesn’t mean she’s shy of a little adventure. Water, drop, dust and snow proof, LifeProof’s award-winning phone cases are perfect for mums on the go.

RRP: AU$129.95 Available from: www.lifeproof.com

Tupperware Oceanic Picnic Set The Tupperware Oceanic Picnic Set offers a fantastic family picnic set that is easy to carry, sturdy, well thought out and continues to promote quality products that Tupperware is famous for. RRP: $199 Read the review

Mother’s Day Competition Over $1,000 in prizes!

Enter here

Easy Cupcake Bath Bombs These DIY Cupcake Bath Bombs are cute, an easy craft activity for kids and both children and mum can enjoy the results with lovely fragrant, relaxing baths.

2 cups bi-carb soda 1 can cream of tartar 125g ½ Cup Epsom salts 2 tablespoon coconut oil 1 teaspoon essential oil (I used Peppermint essence) ¾ tablespoon water

Method:

1. Add all the dry ingredients to a bowl.

2. Add all wet ingredients to a separate bowl. The coconut oil we used wasn’t very liquid so I heated it up in the microwave for 10 seconds to make it a little more liquid.

3. Slowly add the wet to the add. Be very careful to only add a little wet at a time, otherwise you will set off the bi-carb soda. It is easiest down with hands to combine the liquid and dry. You want a wet sand like consistency.

4. If you do not have the desired consistency, continue to add a little bit of water, a little at a time until you do.

5. Divide the mixture into a number of bowls and can a different food colouring colour to each bowl and mix together.

6. Line a cupcake pan with cupcake wrappers and start add your bath bomb ingredients to create your own the cupcake creation. You could at this point in time add stars or other decorations.

7. Push the mixture down firmly into the cupcake moulds. Allow to set and dry for 24-48hours.

Enjoying your Mother’s Day For my first few Mother's Days, I kind of felt that this special day was about being shown appreciation for all the little things I do every single day as a mum. And so, Mother's Day became, unfortunately, a bit of a disappointment. With 2 young boys and another on the way, each year I learn a little more about ways to enjoy my Mother's Day with my kids, and I'd like to share those tips with other mums!

Clear Mother's Day: this means no chores all day. Have all your washing done, the house vacuumed, whatever it is that you need to do, just do it before Mother's Day. And never, I repeat NEVER, expect your partner or kids to suddenly become aware of something that needs to be done and just do it without being told, just because it's Mother's Day. Ask your partner to do the dishes or eat off paper plates for the day: Mother's Day is a great opportunity to reconnect with your little ones and it's difficult to do that if you're snowed under with chores. It's just one day.

Have a plan! I like to think up an activity that we haven't done for a while (or ever but have been wanting to) that makes me enjoy being a mum, then organise it during the week before Mother's Day. For instance, taking the kids for a walk along the boardwalk, or a picnic in the park. It doesn't have to be expensive, but it does need to be something you enjoy doing as a family.

I find if I have a plan, it makes it easier to just enjoy the day without the pressure of decisions or rushing around trying to get everyone organised. Or sitting around home feeling like it's just another day!

Mother's Day is my day off cooking dinner.

Whether you ask your partner to organise dinner, buy take out or go out for dinner, it means one less thing to stress about, organise and execute whilst the kids are trying to get your attention continually. This is the most stressful part of the day for me, so when I know I don't have to do anything,

I feel far more relaxed and love to use that time to colour or draw with the kids. This then also makes it a novelty for everyone, and who doesn't love small changes occasionally!

Don't expect too much. Your kids and partner aren't mind readers (no matter how obvious you are with your hints). So if you have something in mind that you'd like to do, just tell them before the day.

For instance, if you'd like a sleep in, make sure your family knows that so as not to start the day on the wrong foot due to miscommunication.

Ensure that you take the time to appreciate and thank your kids for anything they make or have chosen for you. I mean REALLY take the time to soak in the fact that they've taken time out of their busy little lives to do something for you with solely you in mind and heart. This feeling and knowledge is one of the best parts of being a mum, so take time to enjoy it!

Sara

Off to a good start...

Blueberry Flapjacks A delicious breakfast ideal to serve to mum on Mother’s Day. She will feel appreciated, loved and fulfilled with these yummy blueberry flapjacks Makes: 6 BATTER: 1 x 425g can blueberries 2 egg whites ¼ cup sugar ¼ teaspoon vanilla essence ½ cup skim milk 1 cup self-raising flour ½ teaspoon bicarb soda cooking spray SAUCE: Saved juice from canned blueberries 1 tablespoon cornflour To make batter: Drain blueberries, save juice from can to make sauce. In a medium size mixing bowl beat egg whites and sugar for a minute. Add essence and milk and mix. Sift flour and bicarb soda into mixture in one go, DO NOT BEAT but gently fold flour through until just combined (overbeating bruises the flour and will make the flapjacks tough).

Fold blueberries through the batter gently.

Coat a non-stick frypan with cooking spray and pour a little less than half a cup (100ml) of mixture into pan, spread batter to make a round shape. Cook 1-2 minutes or until browned, turn and cook another minute or so until cooked. Repeat until all mixture has been used.

To make sauce: In a small saucepan combine the saved juice and cornflour, stir continuously on medium heat. When boiled pour sauce over each flapjack.

French Toast

French toast is our favourite because it is quick, tastes yummy and you can make it sweet or savory, healthy or a little naughty. kids can do most of the steps which is great for Mother’s Day.

Ingredients:

2 eggs 1/2 cup milk 4 slices bread

Method:

Whisk in a bowl 2 eggs and 1/2 cup milk. Dip 4 slices of stale bread into the bowl to soak up the egg mixture. Then shallow fry the bread until golden and cooked through. Serve with bacon, tomatoes and mushrooms or if you like it sweet berries or maple syrup.

Recipe from Joanne C

Oat & Chia Breakfast Balls I could talk about the functional foods aspect, gluten, dairy, nut, egg, added fat, coconut free, but really what’s important here is chocolate for breakfast, yes?

Ingredients

160g of Rolled Oats 50g of Pumpkin Seed 20g of Chia Seeds 2 tb of Cacao powder 1 Orange to zest 250g of Prunes

Method

Place the dry ingredients into a food processor and zest the orange into the same bowl. Grind till floury texture is achieved With the motor running add the prunes a few at a time. Blend till a ball starts to form Zest over the orange and remove the mixture from the bowl Portion into 20-25g balls Roll to shape and store in an air tight container

Dinner Sorted!

Herb & Wine Lamb Shanks

Lamb Shanks offer such a deliciously easy meal for families. Simply add to the slow cooker with your favourite ingredients and tada! a dinner that everyone loves.

Linguini of wild mushrooms with poached egg Linguini of wild mushrooms with poached egg offers a great, quick dinner idea.

Ingredients:

Ingredients:

400g of fresh linguini 200g of Swiss brown mushrooms, sliced 50g dried porcini (soaked as per instructions) 5 eshallots, sliced 2 cloves of garlic, minced 25g butter I teaspoon each of chopped thyme, oregano, basil, flat parsley 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil Salt and pepper Parmesan, shaved to serve 4 eggs Truffle oil, best quality

1 Leek, chopped 3 Carrots, cut into 1 cm thick sections 4 Potatoes, halved/cubed 1 cup red wine 1 tin diced tomatoes 1 cup chicken stock 1 sachet – Masterfoods Garlic and Herb Lamb Shanks 1 stick of Rosemary (1 tsp. dried rosemary) 1. On the stove, heat a large saucepan of with water to 1 Sprig Thyme (1 tsp. dried thyme) rapid boil (for the pasta) and a broader, shallow one 4 Lamb shanks to a depth of about 8cm with water and 1 teaspoon 5 mushrooms, sliced vinegar (for the eggs).

2. Heat oil in a wide pan on high heat. Add the olive oil and mushrooms (Swiss and porcini) and cook until 1. Brown Lamb Shanks in a pan then golden brown. Then add the eshallots, garlic and transfer with juices to the slow cooker butter and cook for another minute. Set aside.

2. Add all other ingredients except the 3. To poach eggs, crack them gently into the simmering mushrooms to the slow cooker water. Poach for 2 minutes and remove with a slotted 3. Place on low heat for 6-8 hours. spoon into a shallow bowl.

4. Around 2 hours before serving add the 4. Cook the pasta in the boiling water to al dente mushrooms to slow cooker. (slightly firm to the bite). Drain.

5. Toss the pasta with the mushrooms. Add all the herbs and season with salt and pepper.

6. Place the pasta and mushrooms in each bowl and gently top with the poached egg.

7. Drizzle with truffle oil and the parmesan and a little black pepper.

8. Enjoy with a savoury, medium bodied red wine such as the Margan Barbera.

Method:

Method:

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