PakMag Australia – December 2017 Issue 28

ISSUE: Dec 2017

28

AUSTRALIA

TEACHING RESILIENCE FESTIVE FUN

$1000’s WORTH OF PRIZES INSIDE HOUSE GUESTS: BE PREPARED

FREE www.pakmag.com.au | December 2017 1

CONTENTS 05 The Thing Is...

With Bree James 06 Feature: House Guests are You Prepared?

09 Parenting: 7 End of

Year Rituals 1 1 Parenting: Teaching Resilience 15 Health 17 Dreaming of a

Family Holiday?

18 Bump, Bub and Beyond

We’ve got you covered with a whole load of ideas on how you can keep the kids entertained, how you can get prepared for a great Christmas and how you can keep your sanity whilst doing it. Our ‘Home’ and ‘Celebrate’ pages show you how you can make your home merry and bright!

One thing that many of us experience over the holidays is visiting family, so be sure to check out our ‘How to Deal With Visitors’ feature on page 6 for an interesting insight the different personalities you may encounter, and how you can deal with them.

From all of the PakMag team and I, we wish you all a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We’d love to see all of your photos of the things you and your family get up to over the festive season, so make sure you post them to our Facebook page.

21 Christmas Left Over Recipes 22 Home with Caro & Kingi:

Pool Perfection 25 Tropical Christmas Home 26 Mega Summer Giveaway!

28 Celebrate: Festive Fun

Grand Publishing Founder and Editor-in-Chief Bree James Operations Manager Rose Foster Graphic Designers Clare Winter Lise Mardon-Smith

Bree James Grand Publishing Founder and Editor-in-Chief Contact Us: p 4053 3331 f 4053 3350 e admin@grandpublishing.com.au a Po Box 7433 Cairns Qld 4870 fb facebook.com/pakmagaustralia t #pakmag

Marketing to Families Experts Lisa Gillman Steph Bartram Janelle May

Accounts Trent Stievano Media Intern Monique Saggers

Sub-Editor Kate Moloney Supply & Distribution Manager Gleisy Meireles

Disclaimer: No part of this magazine, including the advertisements within it may be reproduced, in part or in whole without the expressed permission of the editor. Whilst the greatest of care is taken to ensure that the information in the magazine is correct at the time of going to press, readers are advised to check details before visiting. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for errors, inaccuracies or omissions. The expressions expressed within PakMag are not necessarily the views of the publishers, but those of individual writers.

Net Distribution Per Issue 10,000 CAB Publisher Statement Period ending 30th July 2018

www.pakmag.com.au www.pakmag.com.au | | December 2017 3

The Thing Is

The Thing Is...

STORY Bree James

It’s the month of overeating, over drinking, overextending and overspending for many of us and by the time Christmas is here, we are, how do I say it nicely – ‘over’ it! As parents, we work so hard this month, there’s teacher gifts, class gifts, and family gifts to get, there’s food for class breakups to bake (cough… ready baked from Coles), charity work or work parties to attend.

The thing is, most of us bring this insanity upon ourselves. There is always an easier, more simple way.

And this year, I am going to do my best to make this a special day without all of the fuss and without killing my ‘mojo’.

When I grew up, Christmas always had a tinge of sadness, hostility and resentment. My parents divorced when I was two, so I always spent it with one parent on alternate years. My mum always said to us as kids, “We are on the borderline of poverty” and you could tell she always wanted to do more, but she always somehow pulled out a special day for us on her year. We’d always have a real tree, so the house smelt like Christmas and our gifts were always practical and few, but we would mostly get one thing that we really wanted. I remember one year when I was five and my sister was about three years old, and she wanted a Cabbage Patch doll. She opened her gift from Santa, and it was a cheap version, one kids would call ‘a dud’ because it didn’t have the signature on the bottom. She burst into tears calling it ‘a flood’ and stormed to her room and spent most of the day crying, “It’s a flood”, every time she saw the doll. I even offered to put a signature on its bottom, but she wouldn’t have it.

I remember this day clearly as it broke my mum’s heart a little, not being able to provide the life she wanted for us kids. But thankfully, Santa was to blame that he brought the wrong one, and the anger from my sister went to him for the rest of the day. But there was a lesson there for me in that moment, and it was:

“You’re not always going to get what you want, even from Santa.”

It was a really important lesson to learn, and one that in my opinion our kids don’t learn enough.

Learning comes from hard times, from not winning, from not getting. Drive and ambition come from these things being in your life. If you get everything you want, if you always win and the good times are always in your life as a child, you may grow up with no drive, no ambition and an attitude of ‘I deserve’.

Picture this, a little sea eagle in the wild, he has to fight other birds and search for his food, he becomes a great little hunter, self-sufficient and every day knows that he has to work hard to live, that there is danger, and that some days he will go without because today wasn’t his day, but tomorrow he will try harder. Then picture a sea eagle that grows up with parents that are seagulls. They hang around the bins to get free feeds every day, he is never encouraged out of the nest, he is never put in danger, he is cared for and nurtured, and every demand is met so that he never goes without. This sea eagle will never have the ability, strength of character, drive or ambition to ever leave the nest and fly amongst the sea eagles because life was safer and easier being a seagull, but this bird will live a life thinking “I know there is a sea eagle inside me, there has to be more to life than this, but this is all I know”, or worse “I hate sea eagles, I am not lucky enough to be one”.

As awful as it is to see the people we love the most, our children, be in any sort of pain, it is a very important part of their life that you must not deny.

So, during this festive time, take some time to think of ways you are nurturing your sea eagle without making them a seagull, and let’s make this next generation of kids unstoppable.

www.pakmag.com.au www.pakmag.com.au | | December 2017 5

Feature

6 December 2017 | www.pakmag.com.au

Feature

House guests Are you prepared for their arrival?

STORY Kate Moloney

What do you get when you combine our tropical North Queensland paradise, school holidays and Christmas?

House guests! And generally, in plague proportions.

While we are never surprised by the fact that everyone wants to visit us in what is arguably one of the most beautiful parts of the world, what we may at times be surprised by is the behaviour of our house guests. Family and friends, whom we think we know so well when placed in our home, under our roof, can scarily morph into a species of person that we may have never seen them be before.

To assist you in preparing for the possibility of a plague of house guests at your place this festive season, here are five of the more common species of house guests that you may encounter and how to handle each breed: 1. The resort guest.

Whilst we all want to ensure that our guests feel like they are being well looked after when they come to visit, this species, takes it a step further; they treat you like you are an employee at a resort. They often have that amazed look on their face when informed that no, you don’t have bathrobes available or that dinner will be served when it is ready, regardless of their earlier ‘reservation request’ time.

To deal with this species, it is imperative that you do not let them near a bell or they will be ringing for your service nonstop! You need to be polite but firm with them. Try to crack them out of their ‘expectations’ by inviting them to partake in helping with household chores like cooking.

Beware, if given the opportunity to be waited on, this species won’t lift a finger for the entirety of their stay.

2. The constant preener.

A tricky one to tackle as this species is often unaware, or worse, uncaring of the disruption their prolonged bathroom preening causes to the rest of the household. If you are a one bathroom household, then this species can wreak havoc on your family’s routine when they come to visit.

Dealing with this species can sometimes be a little confronting as who wants to question another’s use of bathroom time. However, for the sake of your family, it does need to be tackled. Try during conversations to stress the importance of routine in the running of your family, and how there are set bath times that need to be adhered to. If this species continues to ignore your subtle hints, send in the little army!

3. The messy guest.

After all the work you have no doubt put into ensuring your place is looking the best it can be for when your visitors arrive, there is nothing more disheartening than the messy guest species. Of course, we want our guests to relax on their stay with us, but this species tends to take it to the next level, appearing to create a trail behind them from the moment they enter the front door.

This species requires polite encouragement to get them to engage in assisting with everyday chores. Like children, this species responds well to obvious but subtle hints.

Questions like, “Is this shirt on the floor here going to be worn again today?” or you could mention how food scraps quite quickly turn into maggots in the tropics!

4. The busybody.

Your home is your castle, and when we invite guests into our castle, we are letting them into our inner sanctum.

While this is not an issue with most guests, with the busybody species, a few additional precautions may need to be put in place prior to their arrival. They really just do not have any personal boundary filters; their behaviour is not intentionally malicious, it is just who they are. If they see a computer on, without a second thought, they have opened your photos file and are looking back over your memories. They won’t hide the fact as they bellow to you, “Oh, I didn’t realise you went to XXX this year?”

With this species of guest, the reality is that they really see no wrong in their actions, thus talking to them regarding their actions is futile, the only course of action is preventative.

Ensure you have your computer programmed to close after the shortest amount of time and have it password protected.

If you have anything that you do not want them to see, ensure you lock it away very safely!

5. The industrious guest.

This species generally arrives already dressed in their King Gee workwear with their toolbox in one hand and a very tiny backpack (as it only contains more singlets) in the other. This species thrives on being helpful and useful, and they generally are, particularly for those households where handy DIY skills are nonexistent.

Dealing with this species is generally quite easy as long as you are well prepared with the list of jobs of what you want done and a very well stocked fridge. Be prepared though to stand your ground as the industrious species can tend to get overzealous at times, and if you aren’t overseeing them, you may find you have extensions underway that you had never planned on. Also, be ready for the sound of power tools very, very early in the morning!

There are numerous other house guest species that love to holiday in our tropical paradise that you may encounter this festive season too including the shadower, the complainer, the over-inviter and the over-stayer. And while I think it is true to say that every house guest comes with their own set of intricacies to be dealt with, if we are all truly honest we know it is always worth it (even if we aren’t able to admit it until a few days later!).

This year, as your house guests arrive on your doorstep just remember how fortunate you are to have family, friends and loved ones to share your life with and I’m sure all their little idiosyncrasies will be all just that little bit easier to deal with.

www.pakmag.com.au | December 2017 7

Parenting

7 end of year rituals STORY Kalisha Fitsch

As 2017 comes to a close and the kids finish school for the year, you may be wondering what sort of activities you can partake in together as a family these holidays.

Here are seven brilliant end of year rituals to get everyone involved this December: 1. Pick out a Christmas tree and decorate it together.

This may even involve getting crafty and breaking out the paint and glitter to make your own ornaments.

2. Do some seasonal baking. This can be an exciting and even educational activity for the kids! Christmas cookie recipes are delicious and easy, and the kids can help out doing simple tasks such as kneading the dough or cutting it into shapes using snowflakeshaped cookie cutters.

3. Go for a drive at night and marvel at all the decorated houses in your nearby neighbourhoods.

Many families all around Australia decorate their front porch and lawn in anticipation of Christmas, creating a spectacularly bright display of colourful lights once the sun goes down. Why not load everyone in the car after dinner one night and go Christmas-light exploring?

4. Build a gingerbread house together. If you’ve made one of these before, you may find that they look much easier to put together than they actually are; but it’s all part of the fun! Buy a gingerbread house kit

(or make one from scratch) and get your kids’ hands dirty making one of these adorable edible creations.

5. Sit down with your family and look back at this year’s memories. Talk about that time you went camping at the beach or that time the eldest child pranked Dad by putting salt in his coffee. This is a lot of fun in the form of a photo album or family video, but could also be something as simple as a journal.

6. Take a cheesy family photo. This is an excellent annual idea, and you’ll be able to see how your family changes over the years. You could even get imaginative with matching outfits and a creative backdrop!

7. Snuggle up on the couch together and watch a movie.

There are many holiday-themed family favourite movies out there, or maybe there already is one that your family watches every year as a tradition.

Alternatively, get nostalgic and pick up a movie you haven’t seen in many years to be reminded of what life was like back then.

We Want To See Your Rituals!

Do you have any end of year rituals? Email your pictures to admin@grandpublishing.com.au of your family doing your end of year rituals by 10th December, and we might just feature your ritual in our “Families of PakMag: End of Year Rituals” Christmas video!

www.pakmag.com.au www.pakmag.com.au | | December 2017 9

Parenting

Why resilience is one of the most important things we need to teach our kids STORY Bree James

No parent wants to see their child in pain, and most will do everything in their power to protect their children from any sort of pain or suffering. But are we creating a generation of ‘soft’ kids who can’t handle the pressures of being an adult in the future? The sad truth is, quite possibly, yes.

Most adults have plenty of war stories about the tough times in their childhoods, and most of us, if we were honest, are pretty grateful for most of it as it’s shaped us into the awesome humans we are today. The only problem is, it’s made us so strong that we are robbing our children of building their own growth and resilience.

The big one for me is, I’ve been protecting my kids from toxic relatives because I don’t want them to emotionally scar my children. But I have realised, I am making a big mistake. As a child, I certainly learnt what I think is good and bad and what I do and don’t want in my life.

And I have been very motivated to live a different life to how I was raised, and I have certainly built up a huge

resilience to life’s down moments. But I worry that my kids have not been learning these skills because I have been protecting them so fiercely.

Sure, I in no way will put my children in any sort of danger, and it’s going to be challenging for me, but as they say, strength and growth only comes through continuous effort and struggle. And this is why we have to watch our kids struggle, even if we can fix it, in some cases we really shouldn’t.

We aren’t born with resilience; you can only grow resilience through (I hate to say it) pain and suffering.

Think of resilience as a rubber band. A rubber band can spring back and forth many times and hold things together. But if a rubber band is never stretched until it’s older, then often the very first time the rubber band is stretched, it will snap.

In a nutshell, we need to get comfortable with making our kids uncomfortable.

Story continues on P.18

www.pakmag.com.au www.pakmag.com.au | | December 2017 11

Parenting

So how can you help your child build resilience, problem-solving skills and the ability to deal with the uncertainty of life?

happen again?” Hopefully they respond, “I’ll ensure I shut the gate next time.” ‘How’ questions are much more productive than ‘why’ questions.

Here are 10 ways:

7. Encourage them to make mistakes.

1. Don’t solve all their problems.

Your kid loses their teddy that you said to leave at home, or forgets their drink bottle on a day out, the only way they will learn, and not do it again, is if we don’t fix it.

2. Don’t overprotect.

The only way they will learn is if they work things out themselves. Kids, within reason, need to be able to make their own decisions.

3. Don’t satisfy their every need.

Going without, and working towards things is the only way our children learn the value of a dollar. If they are like caged lions then they will laze around licking themselves expecting everything to fall at their feet.

If their every need isn’t being met, they will hunt, and learn skills to live and thrive.

4. Teach them about risk.

Marbles, Pokemon cards and board games are all great ways for kids to learn about risk. If your kids always play it safe, they will never push themselves. Pull out some board games and teach them how to take risks and lose, as well as take risks and win and the lessons in both.

5. Teach them to problem solve.

Baking, homework and Lego have been great ways for my kids to learn problem-solving skills. The pancakes aren’t fluffy, what do you think we got wrong? You got these questions wrong in your homework, do you know why? When they ask a question, don’t just give them the answer, answer with “Why do you think?”

6. Ask “How” instead of “Why” questions.

Ask “Why did you...?” and the child responds, “I don’t know.” Instead ask, “You forgot to shut the gate, and now the dogs have run away, how are you going to fix that?” To which hopefully they respond, “I’ll go look for them.” “And how are you going to make sure it doesn’t

12 December 2017 | www.pakmag.com.au

We always learn more from failing than we do from succeeding, and we learn how to fix the problems created and make better decisions next time. We need to get them comfortable and excited about failing because if they are failing, it means they are pushing themselves. If they are cruising, then life is too comfortable.

8. Teach them how to manage their emotions.

It’s the key to resilience. Teach your kids that it’s ok to feel sad, angry or any emotion but then get them to think about the next step. “You lost the soccer match and you are sad, I understand you are sad, I’d be sad too. But now you have to figure out how to improve for next time. Have you got any ideas?”

9. Don’t over sensationalise.

We’ve all done it. “If you don’t take this medicine I will have to take you to the hospital because you will get sicker!” Stick to the facts.

10. Be a great role model.

My kids have seen me knocked down, hurt and in tears more times than I’d hoped. But we always talk it through, and they know that I try my hardest and that sometimes it doesn’t pay off, or that people don’t always treat me right. This shows our kids that even adults hurt sometimes and that we too have to get back up again and try harder.

Resiliency helps kids navigate the inevitable trials, triumphs and tribulations of life, and gives them the tools and confidence to know that they can handle whatever life throws at them.

So, it’s imperative we get rid of the obsession with giving our kids the perfect childhood, because resilient kids become resilient adults that are able to survive and thrive in the face of life’s ups and downs. And that should be one of the number one aims for all parents to teach their kids.

Health

HEALTH The importance of Dental Check Ups For Kids

What does the mask of childhood anxiety look like?

When it comes to visiting the dentist, we all know that 6 monthly check ups are recommended to ensure we’re keeping our teeth in tip top condition. But for our kids, going to the dentist is important for more reasons than one.

STORY Laura Adams, Author of My Anxiety Monster.

1. Teaching Valuable Lessons

Anxiety can look like a number of things including anger, challenging behaviour, school refusal, negative behaviour changes, withdrawal, selective mutism, selfmedicating in older children (drugs, alcohol, self-harm), emotional outbursts for seemingly no reason, sudden anxious attachment to one parent, constant selfcriticism or psychosomatic symptoms.

Going to the dentist from an early age instils the sense of importance for good oral hygiene. Not only do children learn the correct techniques for brushing and hear from a professional about why it’s so important to keep a clean, healthy mouth, they also develop a positive attitude towards going to the dentist.

The experiences that children have, shape their views as adults. So, getting children accustomed to visiting the dentist regularly will make them more likely to carry on this practice throughout their lives.

2. Allows Early Intervention Early intervention is always important when it comes to oral health. No matter how old we are, a trip to the dentist can identify problems like oral diseases or tooth decay before they occur or get worse. But for children, early intervention could detect issues like overcrowding, over bites and under bites, for which your dentist could refer you to an orthodontist before things become more problematic.

3. Ensures Healthy Development In addition to early intervention, regular dentist visits can also help with the condition of children’s teeth. This is important, even in small children, that teeth are kept in good condition as healthy baby teeth lead to adult teeth developing properly.

So, think, when was the last time you went to the dentist?

Childhood anxiety can be complex, and considering that children often have little understanding of what is happening to them, diagnosis can be a lengthy process.

I can remember having panic attacks at age ten.

Only, I did not know what they were back then; I just knew that I felt nauseous, unexplainably terrified of everything around me, fearful of my own body and what was happening to it, and I was convinced that I was dying.

My instinct, even at a young age, was to avoid the places that I thought had made me feel like that.

School was a place of fear for me, and I tried my best to avoid it.

My Anxiety Monster uses illustrations to portray the intensity of anxiety; as the anxiety dissipates, so does the appearance of the monster. The book explains what anxiety feels like, what feeds it, how to overcome it by playing the anxiety challenge game and includes two relaxation exercises.

I am a qualified counsellor who has worked with children for over ten years. I have a passion for helping children understand what anxiety is, and this was the driving force behind my children’s book. For more details check out www.innerpeacebears.com For your chance to win a copy of My Anxiety Monster visit www.pakmag.com.au

www.pakmag.com.au www.pakmag.com.au | | December 2017 15

Bump, Bub and Beyond

Dreaming of a family holiday?

STORY Kalisha Fitsch

Travelling with a baby may seem like a daunting experience. Making the travel arrangements, deciding what to pack, and planning the everyday actual travel logistics can fill new parents with dread. Whether you’re travelling by car, train, or plane, the change to a baby’s routine can cause distress to both baby and to you.

But there are things you can do to make your life easier, and your holiday the relaxing or adventurous time it is meant to be. Here are some helpful tips: Necessary Preparations It’s important to consider some extra points when booking flights. Are there any regulations on bringing breast milk through airport security? Will you need to book an extra seat for your baby? Are you allowed to take the stroller onto the plane? Airlines often have different regulations on these, so it would be a good idea to double-check before booking anything. When booking accommodation, be sure to let the staff know that you’ll require a cot in the room.

Take Breaks If you’re travelling by car, while it’s recommended for all drivers to take frequent breaks regardless, with a baby on board, it’s recommended that you take a break every two hours for nappy changes and feeds. Make sure you factor this time into your plans.

Sleep Tight Some babies have difficulties falling asleep in an unfamiliar cot. To help them adjust to their home away from home, bring some familiar blankets, soft toys and sheets from home. The aim here is to make their sleeping space feel as cosy and homely as can be, which

typically helps them settle and doze off. Still having troubles? Taking your baby for a stroll or a car ride can help lull them off to sleep.

Prepare for Messes Babies are messy! Spit ups happen, nappy leaks happen.

When travelling it’s a good idea to always have easily accessible clothes for both bub and yourself; sitting on a long-haul flight covered in vomit really is no fun! If your baby is eating solids too, then be sure to carry bibs and wipes with you at all times!

Have you Considered the ‘Travel Nanna’ Option?

According to a survey of a nationally representative, independent panel of 1,076 Australian parents commissioned by HotelsCombined.com.au, one out of two Australians are paying their parents or parents-in-law to come with them on holiday with the main purpose of keeping a watchful eye on the kids.

Approximately 59 per cent of parents with kids under four years of age would prefer to take grandparents on holiday with them to watch their child rather than pay a babysitter.

After all, children are generally more comfortable having a caretaker who is familiar to them rather than a hired babysitter they’ve never met before. It also gives parents peace of mind while they’re travelling knowing their children are under the care of somebody they trust. This is also excellent bonding time for the child and the grandparent!

Don’t let the worry of travelling with a baby stop you from enjoying a break away from reality. The key really is in being informed and prepared. Do this and travelling with a baby really doesn’t need to be such a daunting concept.

www.pakmag.com.au www.pakmag.com.au | | December 2017 17

Bump, Bub and Beyond

BUMP, BUB AND BEYOND Featured products, reviews and prizes. Visit www.pakmag.com.au for your chance to win!

Seriously Milestones RRP $29.95, www.seriously.net.au Seriously Milestones produces milestone cards for parents who realise that parenting is not always fun and games but still want to have a laugh!

Our Preggo Pack, Newborn cards and Toddler Edit will ensure that you never miss out on snapping those important moments, and that you can remind your kids how annoying they were for years to come.

Dreambaby® Cosmopolitan Security Gate RRP $49.95, www.dreambaby.com.au Baby Loves Sleep Sleepy Hugs Sleepsuit RRP $59.95, www.babylovessleep.com.au Our Sleepy Hugs® gives comfort and security to your baby to encourage long, deep sleep.

Its unique design allows for full arm movement with just enough security to combat their ‘startle’ reflex, keeping them asleep for longer. And gives parents back their sleep.

The SLEEPY HUGS sleep suit gives comfort and security to your baby when they have outgrown swaddling, allowing them to sleep deeper, for longer.

18 December 2017 | www.pakmag.com.au

Dreambaby® has over 20 child safety gates in their range and continues to launch new models every year. Why? Because every family has different needs and homes come in all shapes!

The Dreambaby® Cosmopolitan Security Gate is a popular gate in their range and is regularly chosen for both its features and affordability. Indeed, this gate’s one-handed operation (great when you’re carrying a load) coupled with its stylish design and sturdy construction makes it a must-have for young families looking to help keep their little ones safe, all day, every day.

Bump, Bub and Beyond

Exploring the benefits of sensory play

Tackle incontinence early

STORY Sally Galloway, Senior Occupational Therapist, Goodstart Early Learning.

STORY Dr Naomi Gleadow, North Shore Well Women’s Clinic

From birth through to early childhood, children use their senses (taste, touch, smell, sight and hearing) to explore and try to make sense of the world around them. Providing opportunities for children to actively explore their world through ‘sensory play’ is crucial for brain development. This leads to a child’s ability to complete more complex learning tasks and supports cognitive growth, language development, gross motor skills, social interaction and problem-solving skills.

As a women’s health practitioner and general practitioner, I often hear about and see several conditions which most of you keep to yourselves.

One of the most common of these problems is urinary incontinence. It is often mentioned at the end of the consult as a ‘side problem’ or only declared when prompted.

However, there are two other less common senses that are vital to early childhood development that we commonly miss: body awareness (also known as proprioception) and balance. Sensory play includes any activity that stimulates these senses and facilitates exploration, encouraging children to use scientific processes while they play, create, investigate and explore.

It is important for children to have a range of sensory play activities and spaces available to them at home.

Tips for parents: •• Organise physical indoor and outdoor areas for your child, so they have flexible spaces that include quiet, active, wet and dry areas that help to calm or alert them in their play.

•• Ensure your child has access to materials they can shape and adapt, such as play dough.

•• Use lighting and soft furnishings such as cushions and blankets to create separate spaces.

We need to discuss this embarrassing problem as there are many treatments and most of these treatments are more effective if tackled early. Most women feel that the only option is surgery and this is not the case. Sometimes the answer is simple, such as finding a solution for constipation or treating a urinary tract infection.

We also know that obesity and constipation double the chances of having urinary incontinence. So, by encouraging a good diet and regular exercise, we are not only promoting a healthy lifestyle, we are treating the incontinence. A good women’s health physiotherapist can also assist. They work with you to assist in the strengthening and training of the pelvic floor muscles which provides support for your internal organs. This is extremely important, as most of us are doing our pelvic floor muscle training incorrectly.

The assistance of a good physiotherapist to ‘coach’ you on correct technique can make a major improvement to your symptoms.

Remember by confronting the problem early you are not only reducing your chances of needing invasive treatments, but you are also learning techniques to protect yourself from a condition that can have a significant impact on your life.

www.pakmag.com.au www.pakmag.com.au | | December 2017 19

Recipes

LEFT-OVER LEFT OVER RECIPES For many of us, Christmas means one thing – food! And, whether it’s a plethora of prawns, an abundance of meats or a dessert mountain of epic proportions, we always tend to buy more food than we need.

So, instead of chucking all that goodness in the bin (or eating hundreds of ham or turkey sandwiches!), why not use your left overs for a tasty meal in its own right.

“Left Over Pie”

Christmas Pudding Ice Cream

Ingredients 600g cold turkey, chicken torn into chunks Any leftover ham, torn into small pieces Leftover veggies (broccoli and peas work best) 120g butter 120g flour 1.35l milk Salt and pepper 500g puff pastry 1 egg yolk, beaten

Ingredients Left over Christmas Pudding Creamy vanilla ice cream Dark Chocolate

Method Using the butter, milk and flour, make a simple roux – if you’re not sure how to do this a quick Google search will help you out. Make sure you season the roux with salt and pepper.

Method Break or chop up Christmas pudding into cubes, roughly 1cm each. Take your ice cream out of the freezer and leave for 5-10 minutes to soften slightly. Add the chunks of Christmas pudding and mix through the ice cream. Try to keep the chunks intact.

Grate over the dark chocolate and return to the freezer until needed.

Preheat oven to 195 degrees Celsius.

Mix in the turkey or chicken, ham and the veggies and cook heat through on the stove. Put the mixture in a deep pie dish and cover with puff pastry. Paint the pastry with the egg.

Bake in the oven for 35 minutes and serve.

Do you have any special recipes you use at Christmas? We’d love to see photos of what you cook, whether it be your Christmas Day spread or your Boxing Day leftovers, post your creations on our Facebook Page.

www.pakmag.com.au www.pakmag.com.au | | December 2017 21

1

POOL PERFECTION With the Block’s Caro and Kingi

It’s summer! That means hot days and no school, making the pool one of the most favourable spots to hang out. It’s a way to cool off, exercise and have fun!

Is your backyard pool in need of a makeover?

Here are some great tips to help transform your backyard into your very own little tropical hideaway: Outdoor kitchen Turn your backyard into an outdoor kitchen by adding a barbecue, storage unit and dining table. Home-cooked burgers, grilled prawns and icy cold soft drinks after a day of swimming are hard to beat!

A personal waterpark Turn your pool into an exciting personal miniwaterpark by installing a slide or a waterfall to the side of the pool. The kids will be thrilled and will have hours of entertainment sliding that will continue years down the track, and it keeps them active!

Lazy lounging

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Not up for a swim? Consider taking your usually-indoor activities outside. Reading a good book in the shade can be just as satisfying as a swim on a warm day. Purchase a brandnew table setting for family board games or treat yourself to a cosy hanging loveseat for the ultimate in relaxation and enhanced ‘me-time’.

Tropical flora A backyard simply isn’t complete without an array of plants to give the place some life. Put some time aside for gardening. With just a little bit of TLC, gardens will thrive. Whether you’re planting them into the ground lining the fence or decorating the tables with potted cacti; the greener, the better!

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22 December 2017 | www.pakmag.com.au

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1. Beautiful Bondi backyard - www.harrisonslandscaping.com.au 2. Bluewater Pools Cairns - www.bluewaterpoolscairns.com.au 3. Valley 4 Piece Outdoor Lounge Setting - Contact store for price www.harveynorman.com.au 4. Zakkia Round Pot Sky 15cm tall RRP $25.00 - www.korufurnitureandhomewares.com.au 5. Byron Bay Hanging Chairs 70’s Love Seat 2 Seater - RRP $900 www.korufurnitureandhomewares.com.au 6. Check out the S.R.Smith slide collection at Swimart. You’ll find quality, safety and features that’ll keep the fun rolling for years to come - Available in store only www.swimart.com.au

Home

TROPICAL CHRISTMAS HOME Living in the tropics our chances of a white Christmas is, well, zero. But that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the holidays in our own unique way! Why not put a tropical twist on your festive home decorations this year?

Here are some unique ideas: Decorating the tree. Glittery baubles and sparkly tinsel give that cosy, festive feeling but have you ever considered adorning your tree with flowers instead?

Make a day out of it and take the kids on an adventure to collect flowers of all shapes, sizes and colours to give your tree some ‘life’. These unique trimmings will be sure to inspire and impress your guests!

Tropical homewares. You can also bring the tropics into your Christmas decorations in other ways. Decorate your tree with lively golden wattle baubles, or place bright lotus pink decorative pillows around or freshen your home with ginger lily and mango-scented candles.

Additionally, get crafty with some wire and loose greenery and create a summery wreath for your home.

Floral tabletop. Turn your tabletop into a bouquet of festivity for the big day with bright native flowers and floral-patterned plates. Add bowls filled with colourful seasonal fruit, healthy and refreshing snacks for your visitors!

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1. Holly Floral Headband - RRP $14.95 - www.ellej.com.au 2. Gingerlily & Mango Candle by Sohum - RRP $32.00 - www.prettylittlesomething.com.au 3. Set of four Australian Golden Wattle Christmas Baubles - RRP $30.00 - Etsy Store: CraftedOnCowrie 4. Tee Pee Wooden Shelf - RRP $39.95 $15.00 - www.ellej.com.au 5. Summer Wreath - www.stylemepretty.com 6. Bonnie & Neil Cushion in Lotus Pink - RRP $148.50 - www.korufurnitureandhomewares.com.au 7. Summer Tabletop www.ablognamedscout.com 8. DIY Floral Tree - www.honestlywtf.com

24 December 2017 | www.pakmag.com.au

MEGA SUMMER GIVEAWAY! Visit www.pakmag.com.au for your chance to win!

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1. Mindfulness Colouring with Affirmations Book for kids and adults - RRP $29.95 - www.kyliejohnsonart.com - Mindfulness colouring with affirmations for kids and adults promotes positive thinking and self-belief and provides the perfect opportunity to connect with children more in the present moment. Artist, Kylie invites you to indulge in a wonderful daily habit together with kids, to share instant feelings of gratitude, positivity, love and connection while practising mindfulness and noticing the difference this brings to your day. 2. Pink Poppy Summer Mermaid Pack - RRP $85.00 - www.pinkpoppy.com.au - This season, enter the magical world of Mermaids with Pink Poppy and be enchanted by the current collection of mermaid dresses, tea sets, gifts, accessories and more. The Summer Mermaid pack includes: 1 x Mermaid dress (size 3-4 or 5-6), 1 x Mermaid drawstring bag, 1 x Mermaid wand and 1 x Mermaid headband. 3. Magformers Funny Wheel Set - RRP $69.90 www.magformers.com.au - For ages 3+. The set include squares and triangles and WHEELS! A pack of Learning Cards is included in the set with 2D puzzles, 2D to 3D 1:1 building activities as well as 20 different car designs that they can make. There are no step by step instructions so children can develop their spatial awareness, problem solving and rotational skills! 4. The Lunchbox Range by H2coco - RRP $4.50 3 x 200mL, $4.70 for H2melon - www.h2coconut.com - H2coco’s new range gives parents peace of mind, with 100% natural fruit juice alternatives that are hydrating, full of flavour, and contain less than half the sugar content of some other Australian juice boxes. Packaged in convenient 200mL three-packs, the Lunchbox Range is perfect for on-the-go and a great addition to any lunchbox. The Lunchbox Range includes five different flavours, including two delicious new flavours formulated for kids - Troperiffic and Wildberry. Available in Coles and Woolworths nationwide.

26 December 2017 | www.pakmag.com.au

WIN!

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5. Elf on the Shelf - RRP $69.99 - Available: Myer, Dymocks and Speciality Stores - The magical story that explains how Santa’s scout elves help him manage his naughty or nice list – each beautifully illustrated children’s hardback book comes as a part of a keepsake boxed set including one of Santa’s scout elves. When a family adopts a scout elf and gives it a name, the scout elf receives its Christmas magic and can fly to the North Pole each night to tell Santa Claus about all of the day’s adventures. Each morning the scout elf returns to its family ending up in a different place to watch the festive fun, creating a unique family moment. Children love to race around the house and see where their scout elf has landed. 6. Aussie Mozi - RRP $18.95 - www.archernaturals.com.au - 100 per cent natural insect repellent with no nasties. Free from DEET and citronella, and is safe for pregnancy and children. 7. OPPO A57 in Black or Gold, for the kids - RRP $269 - Available: Telstra - Calling all parents! Don’t burn a hole in your pocket this Christmas. If you’re after leading smartphone capabilities at a fraction of the cost, the A57 should be top of your gift list. With rapid fingerprint Touch Access, a 16MP flagship-level front camera, 13MP rear camera, full HD video and features such as palm-activated shutter, the A57 is one stocking filler that’s sure to keep the kids entertained this Christmas! 8. Globber EVO 4-IN-1 - RRP $160 - www.globber.com.au - The award-winning Globber EVO 4-IN-1 offers pushchair, ride-on and scooter mode all-in-one is suitable for all children 12 months to 6+ years. Thanks to its screw-less design, it’s super easy to change between modes. The EVO 4-IN-1 comes with Globber’s patented steering lock button which locks the wheels to only move forward and backward, helping children learn to balance while first scootering.

www.pakmag.com.au www.pakmag.com.au | | December 2017 27

Celebrate

FESTIVE FUN Christmas is undoubtedly the best time of the year for many people. Family and friends get together to give gifts and eat delicious food, laugh, and reflect on the year behind them. After all, who doesn’t love the smell of glazed ham and barbecued prawns and playing backyard cricket?

If you’re hosting this year’s Christmas lunch (or dinner), here are some brilliant ideas for your festivities.

Setting the table When decorating the table, ‘Aussie-fy’ the traditional Christmas decorations by adding some Australian-inspired touches. Spray paint some native Australian animal figurines with gold paint, add some small eucalyptus branches, baubles and string lights to turn your setting into a festive bushland!

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1. Table Setting - www.buildhousehome.blogspot.com.au 2. Large Bucket Brass by Lightly - RRP $120.00 - www.korufurnitureandhomewares.com.au 3. Hal Leonard Christmas Carols Ukulele Chord Songbook - RRP $27.95 - www.harveynorman.com.au 4. EKO Primo Ukulele in Yellow - RRP $33.00 www.harveynorman.com.au 5. Down to the Woods Gold String Light 10m - RRP $73.00 - www.korufurnitureandhomewares.com.au 6. Pavlova Wreath www.thecakebar.tumblr.com 7. Gracie Baby Christmas Fairy in Pink and Gold - RRP $39.95 - www.ellej.com.au 8. Ella Frill Neck Wrap Maxi Dress in Red RRP $179.00 - www.gypsett.com.au 9. Reed Diffuser, Mint Tea - RRP $34.95 - www.prettylittlesomething.com.au 10. Drinks - www.en.julskitchen.com 11. Gold Heart Earrings by Holiday - RRP $14.95 - www.prettylittlesomething.com.au 12. Down to the Woods Reindeer Santa Sack - RRP $80.00 www.korufurnitureandhomewares.com.au

28 December 2017 | www.pakmag.com.au

Unique snacks Surprise your guests with easy home-made refreshing ginger lemonade or impress them with a wreath-shaped pavlova. These delicious sweet treats will have the whole family wanting more!

Time for gifts If you (or Santa) are feeling lost on what to get the family, remember that you can never go wrong with some stylish summer clothing, gleaming jewellery, exciting new toys or cosy home decorations.

On Christmas day, carry the gifts out in an adorable Santasack and spread the Christmas magic with everyone in the family, young and old!

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