ranting and raving....

Ok folks... prepare yourself because this blog is going to have me ranting, raving, venting and hopefully at no stage whilst writing this will my head be spinning in circles!

Last night I attended a "Healthy Habits" event at Singleton run by Danya and Peter Mullen and the wonderful Natalie from Mullen Health Hamilton (www.mullenhealth.com.au). It was an "event" in itself just for me to get there and oh my gosh I am thrilled that I did. I had the big girls being picked up from the bus stop after school, I drove the hour to my parents in the Hunter Valley with enough time to get there, put the port-a-cots up, have a cuppa and shower and get myself ready. Mum and Dad were looking after the twins for the night. I had to be at Singleton at 5pm and knew I wouldn't get away until 10ish so the plan was for the twins and myself to stay the night at my parents so I wasn't doing the almost 2 hour drive home late at night. Within 15 minutes of us turning up I had just set up the port-a-cots my Mum came in looking a shade of green and was horribly sick suddenly! Oh no! (good news here is it seems to have only been a tummy bug which is going around everywhere at the moment) I have never moved so fast, I packed everything up, threw the twins back in the car and drove away freaking out, unsure what I was going to do, not wanting to have to go home and miss the night that was ahead (and for all you mums out there you would know what a huge thing it is to pack for yourself and 2 toddlers on an overnight trip!)....after some tears and then deep breathing I finally got in touch with one of my best friends near Cessnock and literally dumped the twins on her, threw on decent clothes, makeup and good ol' hairspray some trusty heels and off I went....and phew I was only 20 minutes late! (I was there to sell books and meet some lovely people also!) 

I drove away from the event around 10pm and my mind was going non stop......

....but first let me take a step back around 6 weeks.....

As most of you would know, I am the only person in our family with food allergies (mind you I think I have enough to cover everyone!) we eat brilliantly and this is something I am extremely proud of as a mum and wife. However, 6 weeks ago I made the CHOICE to change my household to be completely additive free....basically what I was needing to change was the kids packaged snacks eg muesli bars.....everything I was cooking was great but there was just that one shelf in the pantry that 'had to go' ..... so with the help of 2 books, The Chemical Maze and Additive Free Shopping Guide I cleaned it out, restocked and haven't looked back.....the reason for my decision on going completely Additive Free was my Miss 8 who was cranky, emotional and unbearable 90% of the day. I love her like any mother loves their child however I need to be honest and say I didn't enjoy being around her. She would argue with EVERYTHING and scream at me for the smallest thing and most mornings by 7.30am she was in tears screaming and crying over something which could be as little as her hair was knotty or I didn't do her shoe lace in a double knot.

Fact: In the last 6 weeks she has had 2 "meltdowns"....

Fact: In the last 6 weeks she has had 2 things with additives in them....

FACT: they have gone hand in hand..... 

Miss 8 IS a different child....she is happy, tantrum free, others have noticed the difference, SHE has noticed the difference and she is a pleasure to be around.....this is all the proof I need that CUTTING OUT THE CRAP completely from our diet is one of the best decisions I could ever make as a parent..... 

Miss 8 happy she can still have Additive Free treats!

I love this photo :-)

So back to last night.....last nights "talk" was inspirational in many ways. Naturopath Peter Mullen spoke on the importance of "healthy habits" as adults and we all got up close and personal with Iridology (which fascinates me). He asked us all to walk away with something which we were going to change for the better in regards to our health.....for me it was the decision to 'try' and get more sleep or at least STOP every now and then and rest up....before my body is screaming STOP at me!

From Left Peter Mullen, Mel (another Additive Free Mum), me, Tanya (Additive Free Pantry) and
Vanessa and Jenny from Thermomix

The second presenter on the night was Tanya from Additive Free Pantry (www.additivefreepantry.com) and she did what she does best and had me SHOCKED and HORRIFIED and let's not forget DISGUSTED with what goes into our food! If there was ever even the slightest doubt of my choices with additive free living there certainly isn't now! I wish this is something that every parent and carer and let's not forget schools could hear.....and not just listen to.....but TRULY hear!

Tanya was lovely enough to allow me to contact her today to get some of this information to share with you.....this is only the slightest touch on what she presents in her talks and if you ever have the opportunity of hearing her talk, you need to go!

 

•       Over 30% of Australian school aged children currently have asthma.

 

•       700 - 800 Australians currently die from asthma each year.

 

•       Australia has about 50,000 children taking stimulants for ADHD, which makes it (per capita) the third highest consumer in the world after the United States and Canada.

 

•       In 2009 an estimated 64,600 Australians had autism. This is an increase of 34,200 in 2003.

 

WTF....

•       “Healthy Canteens NSW” allow artificial sweetener aspartame in our children's school canteens, though honey is not permitted as it has a high sugar content...go figure! 

•       Additives such as 621, 211 & 220 that are not recommended for children's consumption are found in abundance throughout school canteens Australia wide.

.....and now this....(also shared from Tanya) had me disgusted.....furious and wanting answers.....this is just one example of food being eaten daily by our kids and also being served in our canteens....

Chicken Crackles- 150d, 270, 319,508, 627, 631, 900, HVP, yeast extract & hydrogenated soy oil

•       150d may cause hypersensitivity and is linked to gastro intestinal problems. 

•       270 is considered safe in foods as long as the are not consumed by infants as they may be unable to metabolise.

•       319 is toxic by ingestion, carcinogen, birth defects, nausea, vomiting, delirium, collapse & a dose of 5 grams is fatal.

•       508 is associated with gastric ulcers, nausea, circulatory collapse & liver toxicity. Not recommended for children. 

•       627 is not safe for asthmatics & aspirin sensitive people also linked to hyperactivity & gout. Prohibited in foods for infants or young children.

•       631 should be avoided by people with asthma, gout or kidney disease. Not recommended for children or infants. 

•       900 is linked to acute or delayed hypersensitivity reactions, ingestion of large amounts may cause nausea. 

•       HVP & yeast extract are MSG.

•       Hydrogenated soy oil is manipulated by man, is likely to be genetically modified and can inhibit insulin receptors contributing to type 2 diabetes. Recent research indicates that hydrogenated fats are more likely to cause weight gain than any other fat.

How are you feeling after reading that??????

I have so many questions I just dont know where to start......How on earth does our Country get away with this? How do we allow and somehow find acceptable the fact that so much CRAP and poison is used in our food....Why are there harmful ingredients not allowed in other countries yet we are allowed them here? Why is there a 5% loophole on the ingredients list of packaged foods which manufacturers don't have to mention....it could be hidden preservatives that could make you horribly sick if your allergic to them and then you would never know what is causing it....Why is it acceptable that we feed these things to our children (and not to mention to ourselves) WHY are these things being sold in school canteens? How on earth are children meant to sit and behave and listen when their poor little innocent bodies are fighting on the inside with this poison that they are consuming.....are parents not aware of these harmful additives? How do we make parents more aware? Do parents want healthier options in their canteen? Do people not care? Is it all 'too daunting' or 'too hard' and WHY OH WHY is the excuse that we are 'too busy' used constantly...... Let me see......Hi, my name is ????, I love my children more than anything yet I also love money and socializing and therefore I dont have half an hour spare to cook my family a healthy meal for dinner so I will feed them POISON instead......

Ok, my head is starting to spin so I will calm down!

And last but not least WHY do Drs and other "health" professionals not look at these FACTS out there and suggest diet changes before drugs? DO NOT TAKE THIS THE WRONG WAY I am NOT in anyway saying that these behavioural issues in children are not real, however, my Miss 8s story is nothing compared to some I have heard lately...and their life has changed for the better after making 1 choice.....

choosing to CUT OUT THE CRAP....... 

 

Tell me....ARE YOU CUTTING IT OUT? 

I would LOVE to hear from you....sign up here on my blog or email me at info@cutoutthecrap.com.au and don't forget Facebook (www.facebook.com/cutoutthecrap)

Take Care of You, 

Collette x

Fun at the Park with some Additive Free Chocolates!

My little man....cuteness.....

He couldn't get enough of the Watermelon....I think
he has taken bites out of all these bits!

My Miss 10 and her little brother......

My baby girl :-)

He is always making her smile.....I love it.....

Big ORANGE grins from my big girls :-)

WOOP WOOP! A "Crap" free Birthday cake that
everyone can enjoy!

Tamari Almonds......

The other week I bought my hubby some Tamari Almonds as a "treat" ..... 100g for $5 ..... yep thats right $50 a kilo! He demolished them in 2 minutes! Which got me thinking....why should these delicious and healthy snacks be a "treat"....why can't I make them myself so they are not frightfully expensive! So off to the kitchen I went....after my first attempt of burning them to a crisp...this second attempt is perfect!

Tamari Almonds

2 cups raw almonds (approx 300g)

1/4 cup Tamari Sauce (wheat free soy sauce)

Optional:

pinch of salt and cayenne pepper

Preheat oven to 140oC

Line a large tray with baking paper.

In a small bowl place all the ingredients, mix well and allow to stand for 10 minutes.

Place Almonds onto the lined tray (spread them out to one layer)

Cook for 10 minutes, mix well and cook for another 10 minutes.

(Be careful not to over cook them as they will burn easily - speaking from experience!)

DO NOT DO THIS!

They will also get harder as they cool down....so keep an eye on them.....and don't be afraid to adjust the timing to suit your oven.

My calculations for this recipes:
Almonds = $16 per kg = $1.60 per 100g
2 cups used in this recipe = approx 300g = $4.80
Tamari = $7 (get approx 4 lots from this) = $1.75 per serve

SO..... $4.80 for almonds and $1.75 for Tamari = $6.55 for 300g
COMPARED to shop bought 300g would have cost me $15

Hubby enjoyed these after dinner with his glass of Red Wine....

I am happy with taking the time each week to throw these together, save a few dollars and have a happy hubby and kids that one of their favourites "treats" can now be eaten more often!

I hope you enjoy them also!

Take Care of You,
Coll x

Super Mum "Cass Michelin"

Another Monday.....another "Super Mum" ....... I have had the pleasure of "meeting" this lady through Facebook contacts and our shared journey of healthy living and tasty food.....looking after ourselves on the inside and outside.....this Interview has touched me deeply and I hope it does the same for you.....what an Inspirational young Mum who made a MASSIVE life changing promise to her little sister........

“Cass Michelin”

·         Tell us a little bit about you and your family?

Hi, My name is Cassandra Michelin. I am a do-er! I can’t do enough!

I grew up on the far south coast of NSW with a surfer dude for a dad, a determined hard working mum and a quiet yet inspirational baby sister (8 years younger). My parents worked so hard to give us everything. We didn’t have a lot of money but what ever we did have, went straight to our activities. I attended every dance lesson, every gymnastics squad, physical culture lesson, snowboarding competition, swimming, netball, soccer, touch football, windsurfing… You name it, I did it! My mum always says that I was so full on that she couldn’t face having another child for another 8 years and that’s why there is such a large age gap.

Being not so academic I focused on sport and having fun. I finished my HSC and the over Christmas my dad passed away suddenly from cancer… In some ways at that time, I took myself away for the realisation of his death by taking my mind away from the situation.

I then, followed a friends words of wisdom that said; “Come to this college, its really cool!” So from then, I moved to Sydney to study to become a Personal development, Health and Physical education and Dance Teacher at ACPE.

In my final year of uni I was reunited with my teenage crush, a year later I was engaged to him, a year after that I was a wife and a year after that I became a mum to my beautiful diva of a daughter Pia. With not much time to get a real job, my main focus was to be a good mum and that’s when my passion and research began. Coming from a health background and not being able to sit still, I wanted to make sure everything I was doing for my daughter was right and I wanted to bring my baby up in the very best environment with good nutrient dense foods, with this alot of interest started forming in my mind of my fathers death. Wanting to know more, I started enrolling in courses and into a diploma of nutritional medicine, which I am currently studying. That’s when my business began; Choose life, live it, do it. And this is where I am today, totally inspired to spread the word of good health, especially in nourishing children.

Cass's "AMAZING" Mum and Dad
just before having her....

·         What one ingredient can you not live without and why?

EGGS! I absolutely love organic free-range eggs because they are so unbelievably good for us. Eggs are a complete meal. They are a perfect balance of fats and proteins and they are all together in a great hard carry case shell. A boiled egg is the perfect quick brekky, a snack on the run or a lunch for my girl. I often boil a few up and leave them in the fridge ready. I make a lot of frittatas, crust-less quiche and they are also a must for gluten free baking. Love the little guys!

·         If you had half an hour to cook dinner and realized you didn’t have anything planned, what would you cook? Fish and salad. I am a super basic cook and like to keep it very simple, quick and nutrient dense. Salmon on a baking tray in the oven and throw together a salad with anything that’s left in the fridge. Finish it off with unhulled tahini, apple cider vinegar and olive oil dressing = YUM!

·         What is once piece of advice you can pass on to other busy mums?

Take some time out to be you! As busy mums, we are always waiting for the next cuddle, the next snack, the next meeting, the next smile, the next nap, the next bath, the next phone call, the next, the next, the next... There is never time to switch off and there is always something to do. We want the best for our children and our families and we would go without anything to give it to them. It’s totally crazy as it’s easy for mums to loose themselves a little. What we must remember though is that if we don’t look after ourselves; then everything will fall apart so take that time out from being a mum and really enjoy it! My favorite is getting dressed up, heading out with some girlfriends and dancing the night away… Hah!

Cass and her precious daughter Pia

·         If you could have dinner with any 3 people in the world, who would it be and why?

1. My dad – He was such a cool, calm, chilled out guy and he was always so proud of us kids. I know he is up their in the sky watching our every move but it would be amazing to sit down over a good meal and chat about what’s happening in my life now and how exciting it all is. He would definitely be a proud dad!

2. My husband – Time is so limited at the moment for us as my amazing hard working husband is a clearance diver for the NAVY and he is on his advanced clearance divers course this year. This means he is away Monday-Friday every week, all year. Working most days from 5.30am-midnight and only being home on the weekends, its pretty tuff and he is super tired and needs rest so I am looking forward to next year when life should go a little more normal and we can make time for a date night.

       3. Jude Blereau – She is a true whole food mumma. She is a natural foods chef, author, food        coach, cooking teacher and so dedicated to feeding children real food. I would  absolutely love to sit down for dinner with her and take in all her good wisdom… but not before  she gave me a cooking lesson!

Cass and her hubby Andrew coming back from
a surf....

·         Tell me more about “Choose Life. Live it. Do it” and how it came about?

Choose life, live it, do it was created accidently. Being a young, stay at home new mum I just wanted to do what’s best for my baby and knowing how the media can be so wrong I set out to do my own research into what was right for my family. I was very determined to research into every finer detail to make sure I was feeding my baby the best things and using the perfect products. I was so stubborn to not listen to anyone and just do what I thought was right. Through this, I started coming across so much research and information that went against so much of what the world tells us to do as parents and it lead me to think more about my fathers death. My dad died 4 weeks after he was diagnosed with cancer. Being so low, he was pumped with chemo and then fed chocolate milk. It was crazy-ness and we just did as the doctors told us because we believed them. What hit us more was not that he had cancer and died so quick but that the undertaker at the morgue was not aloud to touch him as he had a yellow tag that meant he was too toxic to touch. It came to my realisation that the cancer would have been growing there for a while but the chemo and malnutrition in his final moments was the part that killed him and that ignited so much passion to do more.

After so much thinking and more researching, my baby sister (now 17) who is totally inspirational came to me and said; “Will you promise me something?” I was so confused that I was like WHAT? She said; “Will you pinky promise me that you wont get cancer?” From that day, I really chose to live a healthy disease free life. I understand that it’s not as simple as that but from that moment I decided to do everything in my power to prevent cancer in our growing family. By saying this, I mean living a toxic free, nutrition dense organic lifestyle. My sis and I chose life, to live it and to do it! A week or so later I began writing my blog, I thought that if I am doing all this research on living toxic free, why not make life easier for others and share my finds and recipes with them.

The blog is a fresh & informative read for those who are passionate about living healthily & getting the most out of life! I share with readers my experiences and research! Via my posts, my goal is to empower people to take control of their health and parents to be inspired to raise their own Super natural kids through simple delicious real foods and toxic free living. My husband being a chef before joining the navy and being a keen hunter and gather; our weekends are filled with inspiring teamwork creating yummy real food recipes. All totally refined sugar free, additive free, mostly gluten and dairy free and always crap-free!

I am also a health and lifestyle coach, AKA a Healthy Life Styler! As a healthy life styler I help my clients to uncover what they really want in their lives and then provide them with a supportive environment to have them achieve their dreams and I'll do what ever it takes to help them get it! I work with a holistic approach so we will talk about food and lifestyle as well as spirituality, relationships and emotions. I want to bring my clients to their peak so they can focus on the best parts of life... FUN!

Choose life, live it, do it also has an online toxic free shop. All the products I personally use and love! Every Product has been carefully chosen and only made from natural ingredients, superfoods or equipment to assist in nutritional health!!

I absolutely love what I do! It is so rewarding to be sharing my passion with the world! Thank you so much for including me in your super mum section, even though most of the time I am a SUPER-CRAZY mum. I am so honored. Thank you!

"Family" Anzac Day 2012 - 10 years in the Navy for Andrew

CHOOSE LIFE! LIVE IT! DO IT!

www.chooselifeliveitdoit.com

shop.chooselifeliveitdoit.com

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/chooselifeliveitdoit

Twitter: @life_choose

Instagram: @chooselife_liveit_doit

What an amazing young Mum hey!? Such a beautiful story..... all the details for Cass are here so make sure you click "Like" check out her pages and why not even take a moment  if this story touched you to let her know......

Take Care of You,
Coll x

Honey Chicken

There are times when I miss ordering take-away.....for that briefest moment (until I think about what is in a lot of it!) Even simply the thought of grabbing a quick Thai, Chinese or Indian Meal is great! I'm sure that part of it is someone else doing the cooking! Like the day we ended up spur of the moment staying at a friends for dinner and she made me a basic garden salad.....I'm sure it was one of the nicest salads I have ever had because I didn't prepare it!
What I miss about these take-aways (or meals in general) I try and re-create in my kitchen here at home......todays recipe is something that was always my favourite "way back when" - (when I could eat anything and everything) so I simply HAD to make it "Cut out the Crap" friendly and share it with you....at least this time I know exactly what is in it and I must admit it is DELICIOUS! I hope you enjoy it also......

Honey Chicken

1kg Chicken Breast Fillets

½ cup rice flour

olive oil for frying

2 cloves garlic – grated

2cm x 2cm fresh ginger – grated

1 tspn sesame oil

2/3 cup honey

2 cups water

2 tblspns rice or potato flour to thicken

Preheat oven to 120oC.

Dice chicken into small pieces approximately 3cm x 3cm. Place chicken into a large bowl with rice flour and mix thoroughly.

Place a little olive oil in the fry pan and turn to medium - high. Place chicken on a single layer in the pan and cook, turning regularly until crispy and golden.  Place the cooked chicken onto a baking dish lined with baking paper and place in the preheated oven to keep warm whilst you make the sauce.

In a small saucepan place the garlic, ginger, sesame oil and honey. Put heat onto medium and mix well.  Add the water and turn heat to high and bring to the boil. Boil for 2 minutes then turn heat to medium. Add rice or potato flour and stir until thickened (NOTE:  I sift the flour in so it doesn’t get lumpy).

Serve with rice and vegetables.

DELICIOUS!

I love fresh steamed vegetables....

I love cooking the Chicken like this....so crispy!

YUM!!!!!!

I hope you are having a great week,

Take Care of You,
Coll x

"Super Mum" Ange Altuneg

Whilst writing Cut out the Crap and before I had the twins I had the priviledge of working for this "Super Mum"....I met her when I went to do one days temp work and she was almost 8 months pregnant with Baby #4 (her little girl) she asked me back to work one day the next week and when I turned up her hubby came in and said she had only just had the baby that morning  (5 weeks early) and I was left to run the business for that day as best as I could! I must have done something right as I was there for over 2 years and only left when things got super busy with the book and I was due to have my twins! We had a great relationship at work. I respected her as a boss but when she was there we chatted like life long friends. Over 18 months later we still speak regularly although we don't catch up as much as we would like, but when you read all that she does, you will see why! 4 kids and running a busy Optometry practice and so many other things makes this "every day" Mum a "SUPER MUM" in my eyes......

“Ange Altuneg”

One big happy family!

Tell us a little bit about you and your family?

I am a wife and mother of four awesome children.  Alex 14, Chris 12, Sam 8 and then our daughter Mattea almost 4.  

Our weekly family life is hectic and we also run a business, we have an Optometry practice, Eyes by Design at Kincumber for the last 14 years.  It's our other baby.  

I grew up in The Hills district of Sydney.  I am one of three children, I have two brothers one older one younger.  I am the middle child. But please don't let that put you off.

I left school in Year 10 at 15 years of age.  I was never a good student.  I went to business college then started working as a trainee for an accountant.  I remember my first boss Philip having a conversation with me saying I needed to decide if I wanted to be a secretary or an accountant.  At 16 all I wanted to think about was boys and going out with my friends.  Now I had to make decisions about my future.  

I have always had a personality where I don't want to disappoint people.  So I secretly applied to TAFE as a mature age student to study accountancy and almost wet myself when I was accepted!!  For the next four years I worked five days a week and studied three nights a week!  I left this job after my first year of study and got a job working for Coopers & Lybrand now PriceWaterhouseCoopers as an administration trainee.  It was my foot in the door.   A year after starting this job my parents decided they wanted to relocate to the central coast.  Being their only daughter and still living at home I felt obligated to give it a go on the central coast and told them I would try it for 12 months.   That is when the big commute started travelling from Gosford to the City on the train each day and still studying at night but now at TAFE at Ourimbah University!!  They were huge days and I still don't know how I did it!! After 12 months of working at PriceWaterhouseCoopers I was offered a position as a trainee accountant .  I was thrilled!

After being on the central coast for about 18 months I met my now husband Nick.  It was an almost instant connection and we were engaged in 3 months an married on the eve of the day we met!  What a whirlwind!!  After we married and after many discussion with Nick I realised that working for an accountant wasn't for me (I couldn't lock my personality up in a box).  He was an Optometrist working for a corporate and couldn't practice Optometry the way he wanted either and treat the patients as he felt was best treatment for them.   So we took a leap of faith and both gave up our jobs to start up our Optometry Practice Eyes by Design at Kincumber.

This is where my love affair with Optometry and business started.  I could use my accounting skills and the both of us together could also make a difference helping people.  We decided since being tied down to a business we would start a family straight away and I feel it was the best decision we could have made.

My four children amaze me!!!   Alex is my first born has very gentle soul with a wicked sense of humour and is very academic.  I am now having to look up at him when I speak to him as he is becoming so tall like his dad.  Chris my second born son I think is a born leader.  Anything I ask of him I can depend on him to just get it done!  He is much like me in this way.  He is talented at soccer and is always getting in trouble for dribbling his ball through the house!!  Then there is Sam.  His older brothers would call him a mummy's boy.  He is a charmer and very mischievious one but has also had lots of challenges with his skin.  He has severe eczema has done since 12 months of age.  We have had so many appointments with specialists etc to work out what treatments to use and also allergy testing which meant a change of diet.  He is allergic to casein in dairy and boardline wheat allergy.  I agree he is a mummy's boy but I think it is because of the application of creams multiple times a day and night.  Then there is our princess Mattea.  We thought our family was complete before she came along but we were so wrong!!!  She never stops smiling and is nicknamed "The giggle pot!"  She is so girly which is surprising growing up with 3 big brothers (boy are they protective)!  She loves to sing and dance and put on a show for her family!   

Even with working fulltime running a business,
Ange makes time for fun, quality,
family time.

What one ingredient can you not live without and why?

I find it very difficult to choose just one ingredient as I have so many favourites.... but my all time favourite would be fresh herbs.  They can add so much flavour to any type of meal and very quickly too.  Some of my favourites are continental parsley, basil, mint, saffron and sumac!  One herb I never cook with is Corriander I just do not like the flavour at all!

If you had half an hour to cook dinner and realized you didn’t have anything planned, what would you cook?

I always have a meal or two frozen in the freezer for nights I am at a pinch with time.  Otherwise I throw together a tuna mornay, spaghetti bolognaise, tacos or the odd toasted sandwich.  

Ange and her eldest son on a family holiday

What is once piece of advice you can pass on to other busy mums?

Make time for yourself!!!  For many years I put everyone else's needs before my own!  I am still guilty of it from time to time.  Old habits are hard to break.  But after having the children I lost myself for awhile as I was being everything to everyone else and not doing it all that well either.

I now make time to have date night at least once a month with my gorgeous husband.  What greater gift can I give my children than a mum and dad that love each other and want to be in the same room as each other.  (This is particularly challenging for us as we work together).  I also make the time to have coffee with girlfriends cause we all need time with the girls!!  I am just getting back into reading books again (more than a magazine article then running of to kids) and loving losing myself in the story!

I also make sure I make special time with my children to enjoy their interests too and develop some interests together. I always make the kids sporting events (unless they clash with each other). I was chastised by Alex last weekend as coming home from his game I wanted to drop in and see Chris in his last 5 minutes.  I told him if it was his and it was only 30 seconds I would still be there that is what I do as a mum!!!    Chris and Mattea like to cook so we do that together.  We also have family movie night once a week and love to watch the amazing race and survivor together.  It is sometimes the simple things that makes your heart sing.

If you could have dinner with any 3 people in the world, who would it be and why?

Father (my maternal grandfather) - He was an amazing man!  I miss him terribly and he left us for his eternal life over 21 years ago!  I was in my last year at school when he passed.  He was a gatherer of family.  People just came to him.... I would love to know his secret and learn more about our family history and his life in Wales before he migrated to Australia.  I would have also loved if he could have met my husband Nick and my children.  I am sure he would be proud of all of us!

George Calombaris- I think he is not only a great chef but also has a wicked sense of humour!  He would be a laugh at any dinner table.   He is also Greek and I would love to learn Greek cooking since my husband is part Greek.

Martha Stewart - I know strange choice I know... but have you watched her on YouTube fold a fitted sheet.  Oh that is a skill I just must master!!!   A boring one I know but once I want to learn something and find it a challenge I must learn it or it will irritate me until I can!  Trust me I have tried a gazillion times to fold a fitted sheet so it doesn't look like some rolled up mess!!! 

You run a business that takes you away from home 5 days a week, you have 4 children that all have sporting commitments and you still manage to find time for friends and quality time with your hubby, without neglecting your duties as a Mum.....and I know you still cook great meals! How do you do it?

Having a four children and a business you need to be organised.  It is logistics!!  I remember the first time we all went out to a picnic at Patonga all six of us and I decided to drop in to Woolies on the way to pick up a few things!!  Half a trolley later we got back to the car and I thought...... where am I going to put it!!!!   It was shoved under seats and on kids laps etc.   Never again!!  

It has gotten easier working full time when the children are older!!!  I don't know how I did it when they were younger!!  

Alex and Chris both now cook dinner once a week for the family.  The slow cooker is also my best friend.  Nothing better than walking in to smelling dinner almost ready.   When I am cooking I generally do a double batch where I can and freeze an extra meal (so much better than takeaway) and if I am cutting up vegies I do it for three or four meals and store them in a container in the fridge until we need them!  It's the little things that save so much time later!  We are out at Soccer training 4 nights a week so this is where the double batch and freezing helps or the slow cooker and prepared vegies are a saviour!!!

I have a cleaner come in once a week and she cleans for me for 4 hours!  We still clean ourselves in between but it is nice knowing it is done all at the same time at least once a week.

The boys also have their daily tasks that they do to their share to contribute to the family home.  They unpack and repack the dishwasher, hang out and bring in the washing and also fold!!!  Yes not quite to the standard I like but they are getting better and they are contributing!  They also know how to pack a healthy lunchbox so no dramas with lunches coming home uneaten!!!

In saying that I also burn the midnight oil quite a bit!!  I can't go to bed without feeling I am at least organised for the following day! 

"Super Mum" Ange with Chris and Mattea

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Happy Monday, I hope you have a wonderful week ahead!

Take Care of You,
Coll x