Zero Tolerance

Hi everyone I hope you are all well.

This post is something that I put up when we first started the blog and recently I thought it important to 'repost' this article.

I am always interested in net lingo (internet language) and mobile/cell phone speech, as it seems to be a language all to itself. I heard Dr. Phil talking about this language which made me realize that, although I'm interested, my knowledge is very limited in this area - so I decided to do some research on my own. I soon discovered that what I knew was limited to: LOL (laugh out loud), ta-ta-4-N (ta ta for now) and 4Eva (forever), BF (boyfriend), BFF (best friend forever), SO (significant other) and that about covers it for me. My own limited knowledge has probably already astounded some of you. I'm sure there are those of you out there who know very little about this new language.

Dr. Phil started me thinking about this and I was again challenged when I read something recently that included POS which to my surprise means 'Parents over Shoulder'. After reading that I decided that this needed a little more attention and research on my part so I did what we all do now, I got online and I found myself absolutely shocked at the language that is out there.

Dr.Phil believes that we should have ZERO TOLERANCE policies in our homes when it comes to communication.... I have to say, "I totally agree." This 'net lingo/mobile or cell speak' ostracizes parents from children (whatever their age) and allows our children/teens/young adults to enter into an unsafe world away from our protection. We have no idea who they are communicating with and what they are communicating about.

I encourage you to keep your computers in an open area in your home, limit access
time and check your history file regularly. In addition find something like Net Nanny or other protective software programs that will keep your family safe. As much as our children want their privacy (whatever their age) on the computer it isn't wise. We must adopt Zero Tolerance attitudes in order to keep our homes safe from predators and the like.

I thought I would give you a little sample and see if you are able to translate - just a test to see how much we all know and how much we can understand. Try your skills and see how you go with this language:

Hey how RU? RU MorF? RU SorG? LMIRL. WYCM. AEAP. Got2 go P911. PIR.

Interpretation:

Hey how are you? Are you Male or Female? Are you Straight or Gay? Let's meet in real life. Will you call me. As early as possible. Got to go, parent alert. Parent's in room.

I’m sure most of you are shocked by what you’ve just read – so was I. I knew this language was out there but to the extent that it is I couldn’t believe. You could learn a totally new language through ‘net lingo/mobile speak’......it's very, very scary.

For more information and to educate yourself on this language visit www.netlingo.com. You’ll be surprised. Keep yourself informed and ahead of the game and do whatever you need to to keep your precious children safe.

I hope this has been helpful.

Susan xoxo

Our Exercise Journey Continues

Hello everyone I hope you are all well and enjoying whatever season of life you are in. I thought I would share something with you today about our journey towards health and fitness….we haven’t given you an update for awhile ☺

As you know Susan and I have become committed fartlekers (I still can’t get used to that word). We have been fartleking (regularly) for just over 3 months now and I can’t believe how much better I feel. My shape is starting to change and my weight is dropping (yahoo!!). I must admit, the weight coming off has been a little slower than I thought – I’ve heard it said that it’s much easier to put it on than take it off and so it is. Slow or not it’s coming off and that’s what matters.

I am so glad Susan and I made this decision and committed to this journey. You see, I have always been an extremely active ‘sporty’ person (you should see my before and after pictures) however after three large babies, taking care of everyone else’s needs before mine, eating without realising, no time (or energy) for exercise I changed. It was slow but it happened and I realised that I was no longer who I once was.

You’ve read earlier that we (Susan and I plus a few others) have decided that enough was enough and this year was our year to return to health and fitness. It’s taken time, its taken determination and DISCIPLINE but the rewards are great. The rewards didn’t happen immediately – in fact, no one really noticed change until just recently, over three months of pain and perseverance and no one noticed. I had to keep reminding myself that I was doing this for ME so it didn’t matter if anyone noticed. I must admit over the last two weeks I have had a few people comment on my change and it has felt good, more in terms of feeling good because I’ve seen something through – I’ve made a permanent change in my life.

I share this with you today to encourage you to get up and go. Make a decision today (or this week) to change, discipline yourself to make a difference in your health. YOU DESERVE IT! Get healthy. I love my husband and children and I want to live a long, healthy life with them. To do so I must keep fitness as part of my routine.

I encourage all of you already exercising to continue on and those thinking about starting go for it. IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE.

Belinda xxx

The Importance of Eye Contact

I was recently at a service station near my home and was served by a woman who refused to make eye contact with me. For those of you who know me you know that I was trying EVERYTHING in my power to make her look at me for but a second. This woman was not about to connect with me (or anyone else in the store for that matter) she simply refused and conducted our business successfully but without the necessary human connection.

Before I left I thought I would see if it was only me she avoided so I casually walked around the shop all the while watching how she interacted with other customers. To my surprise she did the very same to them, not even a glance at a cooing baby!

I left the service station puzzled, trying to figure out why this woman was so determined not to make eye contact. Had she been hurt, was her morning turned up side down by some tragic news, was she ferociously insecure or had she never been taught the importance of EYE CONTACT?

I want to encourage you to USE YOUR EYES. Look people straight in the eye and give them your full attention. Teach your children to make eye contact with others. This is easily done simply by them seeing you make eye contact with them and others. Shift yourself so you are able to look your children or partner in the eyes, get at eye level with your child and hold their little face in your hands, position yourself with a friend so that they are in your line of vision and you aren’t distracted when talking with them. There is something spectacular about eye contact, it can warm the soul, can see truth, can tell a story without a word exchanged or in my daughter’s words the eyes can say, “I love you!”

Our eyes are powerful beyond what we know. As technology increases and our need to connect with the ‘outside world’ slowly diminishes eye contact may soon become a ‘lost art’. Use your eyes wisely and teach those in your world to connect with the world through their eyes.

Have the best day and as always, remember that the world looks better through smiling eyes…..:))

Susan xoxo

Breaking Down the Mammoth Tasks

There’s an old joke I remember as I was growing up. It went something like this: How do you eat an elephant? I don’t know how do you eat an elephant? – Answer: one bite at a time. Actually, it wasn’t that funny, but it helps with the illustration.

The illustration of the elephant used widely at time management courses in the 80’s represented anything in your life that overwhelmed you. In my case, it’s the stuff like the work deadlines, the humungous washing pile, ironing stack, overstuffed pantry, kid’s bedrooms, and office disaster. So how do I tackle all of this? Answer: one job at a time.

You see ever since school holidays ended two weeks ago, I have felt completely overwhelmed by the number of jobs requiring my attention. My elephant was the clean washing that had piled up in the guest bedroom, leaving no room for any potential guests and the office with receipts, mail, paperwork strewn all over the floor. Oh, and did I mention the kids bedrooms and the toy room. My elephant was huge and getting bigger every day.

The more I look around, the more discouraged I became and the less likely I was to tackle these big jobs. Throw in a bout of sickness, a tight deadline and I had imminent disaster in my home. All I could do was shut another door, apologize to my husband for the mess and buy another pair of school socks for my daughter, because I couldn’t find the others.

Yesterday however, I turned over a new leaf. I figured the longer I left this, the worse it would become until my whole family will be buried alive under dirty socks, electricity bills and un-ironed shirts. If left untouched, we would eventually feature on that new TV reality show, “I shouldn’t be alive.”

Not wanting to put my family through this humiliation, I picked up my knife and fork and began carving up my elephant. A load of washing before breakfast – I feel better already. A handbag clean-out after lunch (I forgot to mention the state of my handbag). Then I really got adventurous put away the contents of my travel bag that had been sitting on the lounge room floor for two weeks. And the ultimate: I bravely tackled half the clothes that needed to be put away in the spare room.

Tonight – my house is not completely in order, but it’s getting there. And I feel so much better. My encouragement to everyone who finds themselves looking down the trunk of your elephant, don’t ignore it, don’t put it off – just tackle it – one bite at a time.

Nicki Partridge

To All Mum's and Future Mum's......Words from the Heart

Hey everyone I hope you are all really well.

I thought I would share the following story with you today. Like me, you may have already read this however it's one of those 'keepers' that are worth reading over and over again.

Enjoy ;)


To Be a Mum

We are sitting at lunch one day when my daughter casually mentions that she and her husband/partner are thinking of "starting a family." "We're taking a survey," she says half-joking. "Do you think I should have a baby?"

"It will change your life," I say, carefully keeping my tone neutral.
"I know," she says, "no more sleeping in on weekends, no more
spontaneous vacations." But that is not what I meant at all. I look at my daughter, trying to decide what to tell her.

I want her to know what she will never learn in childbirth classes.
I want to tell her that the physical wounds of child bearing will heal, but becoming a mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw that she will forever be vulnerable.

I consider warning her that she will never again read a newspaper without asking, "What if that had been MY child?" That every plane crash, every house fire will haunt her. That when she sees pictures of starving children, she will wonder if anything could be worse than watching your child die.

I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish suit and think that no matter how sophisticated she is, becoming a mother will reduce her to the primitive level of a bear protecting her cub. That an urgent call of "Mum!" will cause her to drop a soufflé or her best crystal without a moment's hesitation.

I feel that I should warn her that no matter how many years she has invested in her career, she will be professionally derailed by motherhood. She might arrange for childcare, but one day she will be going into an important business meeting and she will think of her baby's sweet smell. She will have to use every ounce of discipline to keep from running home, just to make sure her baby is all right.

I want my daughter to know that every day decisions will no longer be routine. That a five year old boy's desire to go to the men's room rather than the women's at McDonald's will become a major dilemma. That right there, in the midst of clattering trays and screaming children, issues of independence and gender identity will be weighed against the prospect that a child molester may be lurking in that restroom.

However decisive she may be at the office, she will second-guess herself constantly as a mother. Looking at my attractive daughter, I want to assure her that eventually she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about herself.
That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once she has a child. That she would give it up in a moment to save her offspring, but will also begin to hope for more years, not to accomplish her own dreams, but to watch her child accomplish theirs. I want her to know that a caesarean scar or shiny stretch marks will become badges of honour.

My daughter's relationship with her partner will change, but not in the way she thinks. I wish she could understand how much more you can love a partner who is careful to powder the baby or who never hesitates to play with their child. I think she should know that she will fall in love with them again for reasons she would now find very unromantic.

I wish my daughter could sense the bond she will feel with women throughout history who have tried to stop war, prejudice and drunk driving. I hope she will understand why I can think rationally about most issues, but become temporarily insane when I discuss the threat of nuclear war to my children's future.

I want to describe to my daughter the exhilaration of seeing your child learn to ride a bike. I want to capture for her the belly laugh of a baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog or cat for the first time. I want her to taste the joy that is so real it actually hurts.

My daughter's quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in my eyes.

"You'll never regret it," I finally say.

Then I reached across the table, squeezed my daughter's hand and offered a silent prayer for her, and for me, and for all the mere mortal women who stumble they’re way into this most wonderful of callings – Motherhood.


I hope you enjoyed that. Take a breath now. For those of you who have children remember to hug them lots, for those of you yet to have children prepare your heart and BELIEVE.

Have the best day.

Susan xoxo

Hello to the 'Bunnings Ladies Night' Crew

Tonight Belinda, Sam, Michaela and I had the privilege of spending the night at the 'Bunnings Ladies Night'. It was a great night and we met a stack of new people so this is just a quick hello to our new friends.

We hope you enjoy our blog spot and stay with us as we continue to grow and make a difference in families in Sydney and beyond. If you've never been on a blog before don't be scared, have a look around and I know you will find something that you will enjoy whether it be a great article, recipe, funny story, great quote or fun fact plus so much more.

So relax, put your feet up and spend a few minutes with us and why not leave us a comment so we know you've arrived safely.

Take care, stay in touch and love those in your world.

Susan xo

A Balanced Life

Hello everyone.... my apologies for not updating the blog over the past few days. My delay in updating is simply due to the fact that Jane and I have been extremely busy sitting by the pool in Fiji!!!!! Yes, we are still in Fiji, with the Kennedy's (Jane's family) and are currently enjoying a week of sun, sand and total relaxation. Needless to say, we are enjoying every single moment.

I have chosen to blog about The Balanced Life because, through my work with familyroom, I have come to understand that BALANCE in our personal, family and corporate lives is greatly desired however the search for it is proving to be a major struggle.

How do we find balance in the midst of our busy lives? How do we cultivate balance and make it work?

Balance and Consistency go hand-in-hand, it's not the all or nothing or the living with extremes, rather it's about everything in moderation. It's about being wise and considering all situations before acting, it's about making smart choices, it's about breathing through everything and not striving or stressing about the issues of life.

Over the next few days we will post different topics surrounding A BALANCED LIFE. We would love to hear from you........

Have the best day and remember to smile because the world looks better through smiling eyes.

Susan

xoxo......gotta run and get my place by the pool :))

The Power of Consistency

Consistency. A word that rolls off the tongue easily, but a word that challenges each one of us every-day. Consistency is something that is required in our lives in so many areas whether it be in area of exercise, relationships, raising children, cleaning, emotions, etc., the list simply goes on and on. Consistency can be our friend or at times our greatest enemy.

I wanted to share this thought with you and allow you time to ponder how Consistency is or isn’t working in your life.

I was talking to my dear friend Jane today about raising children and how so many of us think that in order to get it right we have to be consistent in the way we discipline our children. To this end I totally agree however not only do we need to be consistent in our discipline, we MUST be consistent in our love, our words and our actions. We all know that children live what they see and as we endeavour to raise our children to be strong, confident adults we must allow them to see consistency in our lives every-day.

It is important that we (as the adults) conduct ourselves in our homes the same way we conduct ourselves outside of the home. Our children see it all and I believe that a great deal of insecurity comes from instability whether that be through a different vocabulary behind our front doors, happiness and joy in front of others vs. sorrow and anger at home, or the emotional roller coaster which causes everyone to walk on egg shells……. I think you see where I’m going.

Building consistency into our lives provides a solid, straight path for our children to walk on. The speed bumps of life will remain however that’s all they are ‘speed bumps’ and we can all negotiate a little bump here and there. Take a good look at your life and the life of your family, see where better Consistency could and will make a difference.

One of the main areas in my life that I have recently adjusted and applied Consistency to is health and fitness. As I’ve shared through the blog fitness used to be a huge part of my life until we (Philip and I) experienced change - an overseas move, three children and the fitness I once loved was lost amongst ‘life’. Yes, I did the sporadic ‘holiday workouts’ and ‘Post Christmas blasts’ or the dreaded “Summer is coming and swimwear is nearing’ exercise however that area of my life desperately needed CONSISTENCY. Now that I have made that change everyone in my life is benefiting and I’m so glad I chose to be Consistent.

As parents our children crave Consistency and it is something we can give them that costs us nothing. Consistency is delivered by sheer determination to do things differently, it’s mind over matter and it’s a daily and at times moment-by-moment choice. I encourage you to become or remain Consistent – a decision you will NEVER regret.

Susan xoxo

Health and Fitness (My Fiji Story)

Hello everyone!

Well as most of you already know, Jane, our resident Nutritionist, Naturopath and basic 'good food' Guru lives in Fiji and guess what.....I'm here visiting her! Yes, the kids and I jumped on a plane on Monday morning and headed for Fiji where we will spend the next two weeks. My husband will join us for week two which will be incredible (we are missing him like mad).

I know many of you have been keeping up with Belinda and myself as we journey towards health and fitness - general wellbeing really. In following us you also know that Jane is on the same journey. Well friends I have to tell you that the hard work is definitely paying off!

Jane and I saw each other yesterday at the airport, the first time since Christmas and pre-health and fitness journey, and we were both so excited to see the transformation with our own eyes. Not only do we feel great but we are both looking different - our shape has changed, everything looks much firmer and just in the 'right' place.

It's amazing how encouraged we are simply because we both really see the progress each other has made. The recognition has pushed us to keep going and reach the next goal. It's great to see my friend looking and feeling so great and seeing her confidence increased simply because she is stronger from the inside out. I'm sure she feels the same way about me.

So friends today I would like to encourage you on your own journey. If you've joined us and are on your way WELL DONE! If you're still thinking about it then please stand up, start moving as much as you can and know that each day you will get stronger, feel better and within a short time WILL notice a difference. Put on foot in front of the other and go for it and we promise to cheer you on. Go on, YOU DESERVE IT!!!!

Leave a comment and let us know how things are going, we would LOVE to hear from you.

Have the best day and start enjoying the new you.

Susan (from Beautiful Fiji!!!!)

xoxo

Exercise, Sex Drive and Food Diaries, O MY!!!!!

Hey again everyone!

I’ve really been enjoying reading about the exercise antics of various
familyroom team members (Go Susan, Belinda and now Nicki) and comparing them to my own!

My little weight loss program is coming along and although I stayed the same weight this week, (it happens), I’m feeling great and loving the benefits.

Eating less and increasing exercise is really the key to getting in shape and the spin offs are so worth it.

I’m sleeping better, I actually have an appetite rather than eating out of habit or because the food’s there, I have more energy and my clothes are fitting better. My sex drive is greater too, which is fun!! My man is happy!

If you had a look at my last post you’ll remember that I was going to talk to you about what I’m doing differently this time and why it’s working for me, as opposed to the yo-yo thing.

Well as I said, this time I’m doing it for me and I’m doing it for life, I’m not on a diet. Also I have a clear goal, not just ‘well maybe I’ll lose a few kgs’; I’m going for a kilo a week.

Also I’m exercising everyday and loving it…..I think I’m addicted!!

I’m walking, swimming, doing weights and floor work for abs, I’m doing Pilates DVDS (in my living room) and generally thinking more about incidental exercise – you know the kind where you take the stairs instead of the lift and park further away so you have to walk further, etc.

I am also keeping a food diary, which I highly recommend to everyone! When I see clients for a Nutrition consultation, the first thing we do is talk about what they’ve eaten for the last few days. A food diary helps you acknowledge that actually you’re not a great vegetable eater and no you didn’t even come close to 8 glasses of water today!! The diary also helps you work out what your weaknesses are and when you’re eating from boredom or pmt or depression.

Try it and see how you go.

Another key is not eating 2 hours before bedtime. As Oprah says “Not a grape!”

If you’re in bed at 10pm then there must be nothing, not a thing after 8. Your metabolism slows down towards the end of the day and it’s much harder for your body to deal with food. It may sound simple but can be so effective in weight loss.

And one more for the road, give alcohol the flick except as a sometimes or party treat. It has oodles of calories and sugar and while it may not have a lot of fat, it adds a whopping amount to you’re overall daily caloric intake. Instead of alcohol drink water and herbal teas and watch the weight come off and your energy increase! You may not know but alcohol is actually a depressant. It may give us the giggles and some Dutch courage but the end result is a downer for your nervous system.

If I’m honest, it has been hard these past few weeks to stick with the program. It’s been one of those weeks where everything goes wrong and pmt leaves me kicking and screaming. For the most part though I kept it together with the exercise and the good food choices, but it wasn’t easy. Know that there ARE and WILL be weeks like this. And its ok!

It’s not all or nothing.

Have a great week,

Lv Jane

Creativity is the Answer.......

Hello everyone. For most of us in Australia we are in the midst of Term 1 School Holidays. I love these holidays because the weather is PERFECT and life seems just right (I love going to bed and waking in the crisp air).

This morning we had one of those ‘lazy’ mornings – a morning when breakfast didn’t really get started until 10am. The troop (my children plus Belinda’s daughter Brittany who was here for a sleep over) finally found themselves hungry and requested Pancakes - so Pancakes it would be. I began preparing the necessary ingredients only to find that we were out of flour (a required ingredient for the ‘perfect’ pancake).

Instead of disappointing my loyal troop I jumped online and googled ‘Flourless Pancakes’ hoping that old faithful (google) wouldn’t let me down. To my surprise up came a recipe and I happened to have everything on hand so I went to making this new Pancake. You HAVE to read the recipe and be as shocked as I was:

Ingredients:
1/3 cup Oats
1/3 cup 1% Cottage Cheese
1 whole egg
1 egg WHITE
1 Tablespoon Sugar
1 Teaspoon Vanilla
1 Teaspoon Baking Powder
Cinnamon

Method:
1. Combine all ingredients and mix really well with a hand beater.
2. Pour into a hot, no-stick pan and cook like a regular pancake.
3. Turn pancakes when bubbles form on uncooked top.
4. Serve with Maple Syrup (and cream if you’ve never tried), Lemon and Sugar, bananas, fresh fruit or whatever your favorite topping is.

These Pancakes were INCREDIBLE. The kids gobbled them up and they couldn’t taste a difference. They were non the wiser and I didn’t disappoint them after saying ‘yes’ to their request. I guess I just stepped out of the box today, allowed creativity to flow and choose to look further than the empty flour jar. I’m so glad I did because I learned something new today.

Give them a go and enjoy. I’m going to try them again but substitute Ricotta for the Cottage Cheese.

Susan xoxo

Secrets from a Working Mum

Hi friends,

I hope you are all REALLY well. Today I thought I would take a moment and share some of the strategies I use to help me function as a ‘working Mum’. I really hope this encourages those of you who have found yourself in a particularly busy season. The BUSY season is exactly where I find myself right now; in the midst of much activity however (thankfully) things seem to be going well…..hence the reason I thought I would share a few thoughts:).

A quick look at my world - husband, kid’s 10, 8 and 4. I work 2 days a week as a midwife and 3 days a week in our cake business (with a shop opening soon called The Cake Tin). I’m currently taking an evening course at college, we have an active social calendar plus church commitments and last but not least I do my own cooking, cleaning, ironing, etc. Basically this is a very busy season as you can see.

I write the above (as I said) with the hope that you are encourage and see that IT CAN BE DONE and you can be happy, satisfied and effective in all areas of your life.

As you read this please, please remember that we are all different. My mother tells me that once I started to walk I charged everywhere (a glimpse into how I approach things!!!). Below are just a a few tips that really work for me, they may however freak you out, or turn you into a raving lunatic so simply enjoy, take whatever you can and if they don’t work for you remember that they may help a friend!

1. I use MS Outlook on my computer. The calendar is amazing. I put everything on it and each month I print it up so we all have a hard copy (not just me). This calendar reminds me/us each day what is needs/has to be done (eg: birthday’s, bills, assignments, car servicing, hair/dentist/doctor appointments, etc.,). This calendar allows my head to remain clear.

2. My big tip: DON”T PROCRASTINATE! Do it as soon as you can. This eliminates feelings of failure, confusion or guilt. Just the pleasure of one more thing completed. It’s much more fun to live with a sense of victory than failure

Running the House: One Word…LISTS
• My pantry cupboards can be opened to reveal what looks like plans to overtake a small nation in 3 days. There is a shopping list divided into: groceries/cold/fruit and veg/non food.
• Another piece of paper is time table listing each child’s weekly activities.
• There is a house- keeping timetable, which fits around my commitments (eg: Monday is floors, ironing, baking and general tidy. Tuesday is groceries, kitchen, and dusting. Saturday is washing towels/linen and cleaning the bathrooms)
• Make sure you include exercise in your timetable. I walk three or four mornings a week. I make this happen by going to bed at a decent hour which provides me with energy to rise a little earlier and as we all know exercise gives us more energy so it’s essential.
• Schedule “down time”. We have family night once a week as well as Richard and I spending time together. Throughout this blog thefamilyroom offers great ideas for family and partners.
• A list of suggestions for lunch boxes (thanks Susan) adorns the pantry door, as do meal plans for four weeks.

Whilst I may sound like a megalomaniac I can assure you in one afternoon, armed with a big cup of coffee, pencil and paper you could get it all sorted. It takes a bit of thinking and consideration of your family but it CAN BE DONE. Also remember that children DO benefit from being involved so include them (whatever age).

Lastly don’t’ be afraid to use hired help if that fits into your equation. Do what works for you and within your family budget. And, if you do take on the lists and you miss a day don’t stress (I should be washing the clothes presently but I’m chatting with you instead). The lists take the clutter out of my mind so I can be emotionally present rather than stressed. They work for everyone.

My little secret is to pray for the strength to do it all well, love the people I get to encounter in my busyness and look at my lists and smile. Susan is so right when she says that the world looks better through smiling eyes!!!

Annie xx

Fasta Pasta......

Ok friends, here’s a simple, tasty pasta recipe that takes only 20 minutes to prepare. My kids love it as do my hubby and I. It's also a great 'simple' dish to entertain with.

Ingredients:
2 rashers of bacon
4 large ripe tomatos
500g of Penne Pasta
1 teaspoon of Olive Oil
2 spring onions – chopped
2 tablespoons of fresh basil
1 ¼ cup of thickened cream
Salt and pepper (to taste)

Method:
Cut bacon into small pieces
Using a shape knife, mark a small cross on each tomato, boil for 5 minutes, run cold water over them and peel
Chop up tomatoes
Cook pasta
While Pasta, not Pastor, is cooking, heat oil in a heavy-based fry pan. Cook bacon and spring onion for 5 minutes
Add basil, cream, salt and pepper and simmer for 5 minutes
Add tomatoes and cook for 2 – 3 minutes

Serve Pasta in bowls, top with sauce.

Tip: Add some crunchy French bread and a nice glass of wine and you have yourself a date night with your husband/partner or simply a nice dinner with friends.

Shopping List:
Bacon Rashers
4 large ripe tomatos
500g of Penne Pasta
Spring Onions
Fresh Basil
Thickened Cream
Crusty French bread
A nice bottle of Red

Enjoy.

Nicki

BEA'S PUMPKIN SOUP

This is perfect for the cooler weather that is now with us in the Southern Hemisphere. For those of you in the Northern Hemisphere it would make and excellent 'Spring' soup ..... Knowing that North Americans don't really use pumpkin for much other than pies this would be a great 'new' taste sensation to throw into your family meal mix. It's super easy and yummy and it can be popped in the crock pot in the morning, mixed up when you get home (takes about 5 mins) and dinner is served. It really doesn't get much easier.

Ingredients:
1 Large whole Japanese Pumpkin
1 Large Sweet Potato
2 Brown onions
About 6 - 8 cloves of garlic
1 Litre of chicken stock
Salt and Pepper

Method:
Sauté the onion and garlic in your largest saucepan.
Add salt and pepper cook until onion is soft.
Cut the pumpkin and sweet potato into chunks and add them to the onions.
Add the chicken stock plus a little water if needed. The liquid level should be just below the pumpkin (not covering).
Stir occasionally and cook until everything is soft and almost mushy.
Use a hand mixer and mix until all ingredients are blended and smooth.
Make sure you remove all lumps, etc.
I tend to add a little milk (or sour cream) at the end which gives a slightly creamier soup. Totally up to your own taste buds!
Taste and add more salt and pepper if needed.

Serve with warm crusty bread maybe a salad if the soup isn't filling enough.

Enjoy!

Belinda

Autumn Classic with a Twist

This ultra-easy Bolognese recipe has been a staple for our brood for many years. I remember helping assist my mum with the preparation and fighting with my brother for the leftovers. I now get to make it for my daughter and many of our friends.

Most members of most families love sitting down to a hot bowl of Spaghetti Bolognese when the weather turns cooler. Try this Bolognese meal sans spaghetti on a busy day when cooking is the last thing on your mind.

Ingredients:
1 x Vienna loaf
8 slices of cheddar cheese or shaved parmesan
Bolognese sauce – use your favourite version (my version below)

Method:
1. Slice Vienna loaf in half horizontally and remove the excess bread from each.
2. Pour in your ready made Bolognese sauce into the empty loaves.
3. Lay your cheese of choice on top of each loaf and place in a moderate oven until the cheese is golden and sizzling.
4. Once out of the oven, cut the loaves into 2 to 3inch thick slices and serve with a simple green salad.

Bolognese Sauce – My Version
1tbs olive oil
1 brown onion
500g beef mince
1tbs minced garlic
1 can diced tomatoes
1 cup water
½ cup tomato paste
1 handful fresh parsley
½ handful fresh basil
¼ cup of good red wine
Salt and pepper to taste

Method:
1. Heat olive oil in the pan and sauté onions.
2. Add the mince until browned.
3. Add all other ingredients until a rich sauce evolves.
4. Let simmer for 20 or so minutes.

Tips:
1. Bolognese sauce can be made a day before or even weeks before and frozen.
2. Try to make a thicker sauce than usual to prevent it from over-soaking the bread.
2. Don’t be tempted to eat the superfluous bread, pop it in the freezer for a bread crumb mix at a later date.

Enjoy!

Michaela.

What does Your Village Look Like? (Part 1)

There is an ancient African Proverb that says, “It Takes a Village to Raise a Child”. So today I pose the question to all of you – What Does Your Village Look Like?

I ask this because as most of you would agree, we live in a crazy and wonderful world. The current ‘world’ climate is that of unrest, and at times of insane insecurity (in terms of our safety) yet it is said that we are living in perhaps one of the most exciting times in history – personally I’m not sure that I agree, I think seeing the first car or airplane or listening to the first radio broadcast or experiencing electricity for the first time would have been pretty cool. In any case ‘they’ say that this time in history has topped the charts.

The wonderful world I’m referring to, well all you have to do is look out the window and marvel at the beauty that is set before us – our eyes feast on the incredible and the magnificent everyday however many of us are caught in the ‘to busy’ to see the beauty of nature that is set before us.

For those of you who are parents and those who are hoping and planning to be I would like to encourage you to begin building your village now. As a parent I believe the ancient African Proverb to be true…..it does take a village to raise a child. We weren’t designed to live life alone; we were designed to be in relationship and to help each other throughout this incredible journey. I come from a small town community and from experience I can tell you that there is much to be learned by observing a small community and how things work. From equal experience I can comfortably say and most would agree with me that sadly, the big city has lost much of that togetherness.

Many of us live global lives, meaning we live apart from family and support networks. Actually, for some, even though you may be living down the street from your parents, or in the same suburb the relationship isn’t there and hence your support structure is broken. It is essential that we build and establish our villages, our places of safety and trust in this big old world. So before I sign off today I ask, What Does Your Village Look Like?

Jump on tomorrow and read Part 2 which is about our village and our recent weekend away.

Have the best day and remember….the world looks better through smiling eyes.

Susan xoxo

School Lunches..... How Do I Keep Them Exciting?

Growing up I always had the ‘boring’ school lunch! My siblings and I were NEVER at risk of having our lunch stolen from our lockers – I mean who wanted pieces of last nights amazing roast chicken dinner placed between two huge slices of home-made bread, home-made cookies or cake or perhaps a piece of home-made apple pie plus a piece of in season fruit. Are you kidding……who doesn’t!!!!! Sadly, at the time, we (my siblings and I) didn’t realize how blessed we were. Instead we wished for Donna Statlers chocolate pudding and other processed ‘goodies’ in her lunch bag. Our view was clouded by the fact that our mum MADE everything and that when it came to our brown paper bag, she scrunched the tops down rather than gently folding ‘like the other mum’s!!!!
How funny that today I find myself doing everything I can to make lunches similar to those my mum made me. And, strangely enough I get many questions about school lunches and what I put in them. I take these questions as a HUGE compliment as I pride myself in preparing healthy school lunches for my children. It’s important to me and important to their health and well being. Below are a few ideas that will hopefully help you when and if you find yourself stuck and in a rut.

School Lunch Ideas:

• Salads are a great alternative to sandwiches. Sophia (my eldest) has NEVER been a sandwich person so I’ve had to come up with new things all the time.

• Wraps are great both the lavash bread and lettuce wraps.

• The good ole hard-boiled egg (must be left in the shell and shelled at school outside by the bins). Sophia loves the egg option and could care less about any offense it may cause.

• Canned baked beans or spaghetti.

• Bagels with cream cheese.

• Tuna/Chicken/Egg Salad – mix with mayo and a little salt and pepper and onions if you can chop them small enough to hid them (adds great flavor). Put in a little Tupperware container.

• Popcorn

• I give heaps of chopped veggies in zip lock bags (cucumbers, grape tomatoes, carrots, celery, sugar snap peas etc.).

• Fruit – apples/bananas/peaches/pears and other fruits you can chop and put in containers such as: watermelon, rock melon, cantaloupe, grapes, etc.

• Another really good option (if you have time) is muffins. I make oversized muffins, which is a great substitute for sandwiches. Little muffins are great for morning and afternoon tea as well. Remember muffins don’t have to be sweet – savory muffins are yummy!

• Homemade rice pudding (way better than the bought and it’s so easy to make) just go easy on the sugar and it can almost be eaten like a meal. Chuck in some sultanas or whatever fruit you want and you’ve got a meal made for a Scottish King. All you need to do is pop your left over rice in a pot with some milk and let it simmer away whilst you clean up after dinner and zip, zap, zoom it’s done.

• Olives and feta (if your children like).

• For the avocado lover send the entire thing with a plastic knife and spoon. This is a very filling option.

• Homemade sushi – this is for the more adventurous. Although seemingly time consuming sushi is surprisingly easy and quick to make (we will post another sushi recipe very soon to help).

I think I’ll stop for now. I hope this has helped you ‘keep it exciting’. I would LOVE to hear back from you through our comments – remember something you do may really help someone else.

Enjoy.

Susan xoxo

Keepin It Alive!

We hear a lot about keeping our marriages alive and spicing things up
every now and then and in that spirit I thought I'd share a little fun
we had for my hubby's birthday recently.

The kids and I went into one of those funny little booths and had our
photo taken. Jonah was kissing my cheek and Giorgia was
smiling a big cheesy grin. We did this with my husbands birthday in mind.

As his birthday approached I got creative. I scanned the photo and enlarged
it a zillion times (it was a bit distorted but that made it all the
more fun), I then photocopied it 200 times onto A4 paper. While Daddy was at work, the kids and I spent a good few hours writing special birthday love notes to him on the pictures.

The night before the big day I waited till he was asleep (it felt like
AGES!) and then grabbed my blu tac and wad of photocopies and wandered
the house like a crazy person sticking the pics on anything I could
find. I made a pathway with some on the floor and hid a few in his briefcase, the car and in notebooks. It was a SO MUCH FUN!

Our creativity paid off! You see this along with a great breakfast and his favourite dinner WAS his present. We've been saving really hard for a big trip that's
costing a bomb, so 'extras' aren't an option right now (he would have seen a present as an 'extra' we know how hubby's think don't we!)

I think this will go down as one of his favorite gifts. It was so much more meaningful than the obligatory aftershave or electrical toy. He loved the effort and the texta written messages on the photos and a whole lot of them are still stuck up on one of our walls just for fun.

Doing this made me think about how easy it is to slip into boring and same old in many areas of our lives. I want to put the effort in and show my nearest and dearest that they're worth the creativity and the time it takes to make them feel
special, I know I love it when the same love and attention has been put
into something for me.

Coming up with something new each year is going to be a challenge, but
it'll be fun trying!

Share some of your crazier ideas for making your loved ones feel
special so we can inspire each other!!

Have a great day,
Lv Jane

Seize The Day!

I believe in the Latin the phrase “Carpe Diem”.

If there is one thing I have had to learn it is the art of “seizing the day” or to be truthful, to just stop procrastinating. I seem to use up so much physical energy finishing half a job and a truckload of emotional energy feeling frustrated and guilty when I don’t “just do it”. The things/jobs I’m talking about are things like:

➢ Filling the petrol tank before I’m in the “dear God please let me get to the petrol station” zone.
➢ The belated birthday card – what constitutes belated?
➢ Buying toilet paper before we start-using tissue, paper towels or…..baby wipes!
➢ Picking up milk when you have a toddler or formula and nappies with our babies.
➢ Paying parking fines….yikes!

I am pleased to say that whilst not entirely on top of it (especially in the petrol area) I have realized that it is infinitely more efficient to ‘just do it’ (thanks for that NIKE). We need to pull our finger out and start moving, everything from exercise (ask Susan and Belinda) to organising the pantry (that would be Nicky) we are realizing the benefits of being one step ahead.

It’s amazing how being one step ahead clears your head allowing you space to deal with the present. Try it. Don’t entertain the options. You will love the feeling!!!!

Annie xx

Personality……It’s all good!

Hi friends.

If you were to ask me what my greatest weakness is I would have to say that it’s being a high achiever. Not a perfectionist, they are neat, tidy and have their children looking immaculate and at the ready 24/7.

My tendency is to want to be the best! Not a bad thing but it can mess you up just a little when you look at what has to be done and what lies in front of you each and every day. You may wonder why I’m sharing this with you (definitely not an easy thing to do for a high achiever!)? I have decided to share this with everyone because our lives seem to be filled with so many deadlines such as getting the children off to school in the correct uniform, equipped with a nutritious/enticing lunch and the necessary books, musical instruments and permission notes or getting out the door in the morning to get to an important meeting. Add all your house stuff, job requirements and social commitments to the list and everything just seems a little overwhelming and we are, at times, left feeling quite in adequate.

Some yeas ago I read a book called Personality Plus, this book helped me discover what my personality style is and how my personality affects the way I function and my impact on those around me. Whilst I can’t change my personality as such, I can embrace my strengths and use them well. I have also had to be brave, and take a good hard look at the areas in my life that required some work. In addition I decided to make myself accountable to someone close to me – someone who would point things out (in love) and help me on this journey.

I encourage you to take the time to look at how your personality influences the way you operate in your world. Be brave and ask a trusted friend how they see you and be accountable if they have any constructive suggestions. Get to know yourself a little more and allow your personality to work for you, not against you!

I’d love to hear any tips from you “high achievers” out there! Take it easy.

Annie xx