Chocolate Rice Bubble Bars and Bites …

August 27, 2018

This recipe for Chocolate Rice Bubble Bars or Bites is super easy and perfect for lunchboxes or a quick snack. I love this recipe because the bars remain firm, hold their shape and won’t fall apart. With only 6 ingredients, there is no baking required and they also freeze beautifully. Cut these as Bars or Bites to any size that will suit either your child’s appetite or to fit perfectly into their lunchbox, particularly if you use a Bento style lunchbox. I also served up a plate of these with dessert for Christmas lunch and they vanished in a flash! … read more

25 Delicious Fillings for Sandwiches, Wraps, Pitas and Bread Rolls …

January 10, 2017

  Very soon kids will be returning to school and parents everywhere will jump back into the routine of preparing lunchboxes. Some kids crave the familiarity of having the same sandwich every day whereas there’ll be others who get bored and want variety.   Remember to check your school’s lunchbox policy to see if there are any foods like peanut butter that are banned and then you could spice things up with some of the gorgeous sandwich fillings below. All of the suggestions use common items from the fridge and pantry and I’ve included some ideas for using … read more

Cheesy Mini Pizza Scrolls … A Simple Lunchbox Idea …

May 6, 2016

This is one of my favourite lunchbox recipes … Cheesy Mini Pizza Scrolls. They are ideal for kids lunchboxes for school or Uni and are also perfect for working Mums and Dads. You can make enough to last for several weeks and freeze them, then simply pop one or two in each lunchbox, either as a snack for morning tea or as a treat in place of a sandwich or wrap. I love the simplicity of this recipe because there’s no mucking around with yeast and dough and they’re quick to make, saving Mums and Dads that one thing we never seem to have enough of … time. I also … read more

Yikes! My Child has Head Lice … What do I do???

February 11, 2016

  Now that the kids have returned to school and childcare, one thing you might find yourself dealing with is Head Lice (also called Nits). It’s incredibly frustrating and, unfortunately, hardly anyone will be immune if there’s an outbreak at school.   So, what are Head Lice?   Head Lice are tiny parasitic insects that have no wings and cannot jump but that live among human hair. They feed on tiny amounts of blood that they draw from the human scalp.   How do you catch Head Lice?   Head Lice are extremely contagious and you … read more

Back to School Checklist …

January 20, 2016

  Returning to school after the holidays can be a really busy time with so much to remember and even more to actually do. It can bring a whole range of emotions … it’s an exciting time for most but it can also be a very stressful time for Mums and Dads as you prepare your child and all their needs.   If you’re not careful, it’s easy to be overwhelmed and then forget something important. So I’ve created a FREE “Back to School” Checklist for you to download and help you stay on track. It lists most of the common things you will need to consider when … read more

Simple Tips for Choosing Water Bottles for School …

January 10, 2016

  Of all the good habits I’ve tried to teach my kids, drinking plenty of water rates very highly. Water is so important for literally every function in our body, so it’s a great idea to send kids off to school every day with a lovely big bottle of cold water. It’s also really important that kids have a water bottle if they participate in after-school sport activities. Teaching kids to drink water is not only great for their health but, if they have a reusable water bottle, it also reduces rubbish generated by disposable bottles and helps to save … read more

After School Routine Charts to Help you Get Organised … FREE to Download …

May 17, 2015

  Arriving home after school at the end of the day can be dreadfully chaotic. Kids can be tired and there’s homework to be done but a little bit of organisation and routine can definitely help to get everything done before bedtime.   I’ve created these fantastic After School Routine Charts, which are perfect for younger kids. Establishing routines will help them to develop independence because they know what they need to do, when they need to do it and in what order things should be done. Routines help them develop basic time management skills as well as … read more

Cleaning Teeth Chart … Free to Download …

April 7, 2015

  Teaching kids good dental habits is essential when they are young because hopefully those habits will stick with them all through their life. Good dental habits will help kids develop strong, healthy teeth and help minimize decay but it can be hard for little ones to remember to brush their teeth.   Kids get easily distracted and are usually too busy with the important job of playing, so when my kids were little, a chart that reminded them to brush their teeth morning and night worked miracles.   I’ve created a fantastic Cleaning Teeth Chart for … read more

Kids Morning Routine Charts … Are you Ready for School? … Free to Download …

March 8, 2015

    Getting organised is usually achieved by creating routines and habits, so helping toddlers and young children to develop these skills is very important.   Routines and habits are good because they:   create consistency   provide structure, which in turn gives kids a sense of security   help kids develop independence because they know what they need to do, when they need to do it and in what order things should be done   help kids develop basic time management skills   promote a calm, … read more

Study Snacks for Kids …

February 20, 2015

  School and Uni is a time of tests, exams, homework and assignments that can see kids preparing and studying for hours at a time and it’s very easy for them to not look after themselves properly by getting enough sleep and eating the right things. Miss 16 is in High School, Miss 22 is in her second year at Uni and Miss 25, although she has finished her Degree, is now studying for her CPA (Certified Practicing Accountant). So when they bury their heads in books, I like to help keep their energy levels up with healthy snacks and drinks.   I usually put … read more

Back to School … Tips for Buying New School Shoes …

January 13, 2015

  Well, it’s that time of the year again and there is so much to think about ….. uniforms, book lists, lunchboxes, timetables, sport shoes and, of course, school shoes. I’m lucky now that I only have to buy one pair but it wasn’t all that long ago (when all three girls were still at school) that I had to budget for three pairs. School shoes have always been a priority for me because kids are incredibly active and will spend many hours every day in their shoes, so it’s important that their shoes fit well, are comfortable, offer the right kind of support and also … read more

Back to School … Tips for Choosing the Right Lunchbox …

January 9, 2015

  I like my kids to start each year with a new lunchbox because I figure, after a year of crumbs and spills, it’s time for an upgrade. When they were younger, Santa used to always bring them a new lunchbox and drink bottle, but now that they’re older I simply buy a new one at the start of every year.   Here are the features I look for when choosing a lunchbox/lunch bag:   Size – while you don’t want it so big that it takes up too much of your child’s school bag, it does need to be big enough to hold sufficient food for the day as well as ice … read more

Back to School … Organising Stationery Supplies …

January 7, 2015

  While it might seem early to be thinking about getting organised for “Back to School”, these last few weeks of the holidays will whip by in no time at all. A little bit of planning and organisation will eliminate any stress and frustration. Below is a system that I’ve used for over 20 years of organising my kids school supplies and, for me, it’s worked … maybe it will work for you too:   Start early … there’s nothing worse than running around in a frenzy only days before school starts. Not only will you potentially run out of time but particular items … read more

Breakfast … on the Run …

September 9, 2014

Like most families, our mornings are super busy. Hubby is racing out to work, I’m trying to get ready for work, Miss 21 is usually still asleep following late night study sessions (such is the life of a university student) and Miss 16 has to get ready for school. So we tend to reserve “sit down” family breakfasts for the weekend when everyone is home, not rushing off and we’re all a bit more relaxed. I do, however, insist that everyone eats breakfast every day and also that it’s something healthy ….. so important to start the day especially for school kids who need … read more

Lunchbox Planner … Free to Download …

May 10, 2014

  Some mornings can be a bit or a rush or you can just get stuck in a rut of what to give the kids for lunch. That used to happen to me until I created my Lunchbox Planner. At the start of the weekend I try to plan what I need for the kids lunches, add any items to my grocery list and prepare for the week ahead. It also helps me plan any baking I want to get done on the weekend so that there are muffins, slices, balls and cakes cooked, frozen and ready to go. The end result is that the kids have nutritious, healthy lunches with plenty of variety and I feel … read more