Girl Power is on the rise more than ever.

Events are popping up all over the world connecting women, face to face, offering an excellent opportunity to develop relationships, build brands or simply connect with other power players. Some are geared towards business and networking, while others are more focused on education, mothering and parenting.

Michelle Battersby, of Bumble Australia, forecasted that a shift is upon us in the near future that will see people spending more time away from their phones. Wouldn't that be lovely to bring back the interpersonal human connection? These events are the perfect way to do just that.

Here are few #bossbabe meet ups that are worth checking out in 2019!

1. Minding Her Business has been around for 18 months and have hosted multiple, sell-out events around Australia. Minding Her Business is the brain child of Katie Stevens, a savvy business woman, model, entrepreneur AND proud dog mom who calls Brisbane home. I've blogged about MHB before, and can't recommend these events highly enough if you're looking to make friends in a new city, grow your business, or seek out some pearls of wisdom from their empowerment panel. Their motto is: Connect, Collaborate, Create. This tagline is clear and concise; just how I like it!

Minding Her Business has another branch of networking called Minding Their Business, and these events are actually inclusive of men. Their final event of 2018 was November 18th in Brisbane and a huge success. Be sure to follow them so you can keep up to date with all the wonderful things coming your way in 2019. They have already gone interstate before.... where might MHB be off to next I wonder?!


2. Business Chicks have just wrapped up their 9 to Thrive tour across Australia, and I was lucky enough to win tickets to their two day Sydney event! I'm so glad that I went when I'd just moved to Sydney because I met some pretty incredible women and walked away feeling more knowledgable and empowered. I was blown away, and I blogged allllll about my epic experience at 9 to Thrive here. 

Business Chicks have all kinds of events on offer, such as brunches, dinners, and networking meet ups. Do yourself a favour and attend an event in 2019!

HOT TIP: Have you read Winging It by Emma Isaacs yet? Emma is the founder and global CEO of Business Chicks. You'll want to do yourself a favour and pick this book up ASAP.

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3. Mum Society: now for a little change of pace. This Sydney based community is known for hosting absolutely wonderful events. They also bring women together with inspiring speakers and themes for each event, but with more of a focus on all aspects #mumlife. You can still connect, network and grow your brand/business, but in a more kid friendly environment. You are given an option of purchasing a childcare option when checking out online and booking your ticket... how good is that?!

I haven't had the pleasure of attending one of their events yet, and missed their final event of 2018, Bump...Baby...Blue, due to the apocalyptic weather conditions in Sydney that day that left Sydney half flooded. I'm looking forward to attending and supporting Kylie and her fellow boss babes in 2019.

​1. Business Chicks are also hustling in the USA, so check them out, stat. 

2. MTHR Collective : (pronounced Mother) A friend of mine recently spoke at a MTHR Collective retreat. I had a mini stalk session and it's quite possibly the most incredible retreat schedule I've ever seen. 

So, yaaaaa..... bomb schedule, am I right? If I were still living in the US, I would have been at this event in a heartbeat! My friend said that she would 100% recommend going and plans on attending every year she feasibly can. 

​Their instagram is all kinds of wonderful too, so check them out Mamas. 

SAHM?
WAHM?

So many acronyms, so little time.

Whether you're a mumprenuer, stay at home mum or a working SAHM, here are a few tips I felt are worth sharing to help boost your productivity while working at home. 

1. No Wifi
If you work on your laptop, and are completing a project that doesn't need the wifi, turn it off. I spend a lot of time on my blogger platform or writing/planning/brainstorming in my Notes. It helps to have the wifi off because I'm freed from distracting email PINGS which pop up in the right hand corner demanding my attention and messing with my groove. Removing the temptation to check the news, Facebook or other distraction will help you to keep focused on the task at hand.

If nap time is when you get caught up on finances, or pay the bills, open only the browsers you need, and upon completion, close each tab until you've finished.

2. Ditch the phone
When it's time to get to business, place your phone on the charge and leave it in another room. If that really isn't an option, you can have it close by and on do not disturb mode (if a person calls twice, back to back, it will ring the second time). 

3. Nap time is sacred
If you're like me, my only time to get work done, admin, blogging, replying to emails is while my daughter naps. I know it's a personal decision, but I don't like being on my phone in front of her, and try to avoid using it in her presence as much as possible. What this means is that I only have between 1 - 2.5 hours a day to be a complete whirlwind mom boss. There are some days when I'm so efficient, smashing goals left, right and center. Conversely, there are other days when I need her nap time to catch up on housework, take a little mental health afternoon in the peace and quiet, or read a book. If that's the case, then I'll work in the evening to meet a deadline, but I try to avoid working at night because that is when my husband and I have our quality time together. 

     3a. Eat before your work time
I try to eat or have a snack before I put my daughter down. Why? Because I'm saving precious time. If I put her down and then start prepping and cooking my lunch, I've lost 15-25 minutes by the time it's prepared, mindfully eaten and cleaned up.  

     3b. Meal prep
Therefore, meal prep when and where you can. I'm all about meal prep, but NOT the kind where you eat the same food in a plastic Tupperware for the entire week. Make a big batch of quinoa, have washed salad read to go, make a huge bowl of cous cous, bake a huge tray of roasted veggies, make some delicious energy balls. Have it all ready to go, so it literally takes minutes to assemble, top it off with a bit of gut healthy kraut and, voila!  You can read all about my meal prep tips here. 

4. Set a timer
If you need to go on social media for work, set a timer and stick to it. Social media is like the rabbit hole in Alice in Wonderland. One minute you're DM'ing a social media influencer, and the next thing you know you're looking at a new line of bathing suits for some brand you've never even heard of!

5. Silence is GOLDEN
There is a joke about silence being golden, unless you have toddlers, and then it's suspicious! Silence is healing, silence is grounding, silence is priceless. Having the television off, and music off, are great ways to hone your attention to one task. Sometimes I'll have a handcrafted Spotify playlist on in the background, but even then, it's playing on low and not too distracting. Yoga Girl's Playlist Of The Month is an excellent public music playlist, made by Rachel Brathen. I love her lists for practicing yoga or simply relaxing at home.

So, tell me, what tips and tricks do you implement for healthy time management Mama?
Tell me in the comments below!

In Health,
Erica x 

Snacks. Snacks. Snacks. 

How many times have they utterly saved the day when you're with your kids at the grocery store... running errands.... during an agonizing road trip?
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I get loads of DM's on Instagram about snack ideas for kids, so I thought I'd share a quick and easy blog post sharing what we have been loving lately.

Here are our latest on-the-go favs:

If you love pouches for on-the-go, you can't go past Bellamy's Organic!
I've blogged all about our love for them here!

​What are your kid's favourite snacks at the moment? Please share below!
EMK x 

Successful business aside, she lives with such intent, focus and love - she just radiates honesty and positivity. Hanging out with Rhi always leaves me feeling inspired, knowledgable and hungry for more discussions around yoga, wellness and family.

As a mindful working mama of two boys, I wanted to learn her secrets... let's hear it from our woman of the hour, Rhiannon.
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Give us one sentence to sum up what motherhood means to you.

The greatest gift.
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Childbirth was the ___________ because it ____________ .

Childbirth was incredible because it was the most empowering experience of my life, albeit, equally the most painful. My mum always spoke fondly of her 3 birth stories which I believe ignited my strong interest and passion for birth since a really young age. The magic of conception, pregnancy and birth blows my mind. I came to my births full of excitement, and in acceptance of whatever my birth journey would be. Knowledge is power. So, I educated myself on the science of the psychological and physical birth process, and felt armed with understanding, options, and a team of midwives I trusted immensely. I did a lot of birth preparation; from acupuncture, engaging a doula, cranial osteopathy, many herbal teas, eating a (mostly!) good diet, perennial massage, body massage, essential oils, positive affirmations etc. So, when it came to the birth, I surrendered to the experience and trusted that my body would know what to do. And it did. And it was incredible.


Have you always wanted to be an interior designer?

I grew up always wanting to be an Interior Designer or a midwife. While my passion for creating beautiful and functional spaces is still strong, so is my yearning for supporting women through their birthing experience. I have intentions to sit my Doula training in the coming years, so then I can do both!



What has been the hardest lesson to learn as a new mum running her own family design business?


Managing my time and lowering my expectations of my time.
Actively being mindful when I'm in working mode, and equally mindful with my mothering. It's easy to fall into the trap of being on a work call while making dinner with kids hanging off your legs, and getting on top of mothering/household duties when the kids are in care.
I'm constantly working on lowering my expectations of my time, knowing that there is rarely a day or week that all the ‘to do’ boxes are ticked. And that is ok. (I think???!!!)



Speaking of your family business, what’s it like living with AND working with your husband daily?
How do you keep that so called “work life balance” steady?

We never feel as though we are ‘working together’ as our jobs and days are so different. Sometimes we might be working on different projects for weeks or months where our only cross over is ‘on the business’ with bookkeeping etc. Our preferred projects, are the ones where we are engaged from design through to construction, and even then we work in a totally different capacity and different stages throughout the project. We joke that having a company together is probably our saving grace, as we have a greater understanding and tolerance for each other with the long days and late nights. Lastly, and probably most importantly, our success in renovating our own houses and working on projects together comes from a huge respect that we have for each other’s skill set. Matt doesn’t question my design decisions, and I never tell him how to build!


What determines success in your eyes?

Being in a place of absolute happiness and inner peace, regardless of the external situations surrounding you.


Brené Brown says "Unused creativity doesn’t just disappear. It lives within us until it’s expressed, neglected to death, or suffocated by resentment and fear.”
What are your thoughts on this?

When I first heard this I instantly had a pit in my belly. That told me I was guilty of not fulfilling my creativity. I don’t find myself having blocks of time in my daily/weekly agenda to indulge in creative activity, as I wish I could. (I dream of one day having a sun-drenched studio space where I can paint uninterrupted for days on end!!)
I try to increase my ‘creativity’ in my everyday tasks. I take that little bit of extra time to wrap a gift to my liking, rather than quickly throwing some wrapping paper over it. I try to cook at least one meal a week that allows me to explore a new recipe and spend some time enjoying the process rather than rushing through it. Or something as simple as after cleaning the house, picking some flowers from the garden to sit in a vase on the table.
As my girlfriends would know, I hate ironing! I wait until the pile is huge and then listen to a good podcast while I work my way through it, which has now turned into a task I hilariously love! I try to make the otherwise mundane tasks seem somewhat more enjoyable and creative.

How talented is she?!?

​If you could live anywhere in Australia where would you choose and why?

We’ve recently relocated to the Mornington Peninsula and we are absolutely loving the slower paced beach lifestyle. If I could bring the Queensland weather down permanently, this place would be flawless. I hate the cold! So Queensland would be my pick, if I could just convince Matt.


I love yoga because...

I feel my body and mind strengthen in every practice. Like meditating, it’s the only real time I tap into my body, and all the other noises and distractions fade away.



You are an avid vedic meditator? Can you tell us a bit more about what that journey was like, and why it resonates so deeply with you and your family?

Both Matt and I started mediating in a state of desperate need to change our situation with daily stress and anxiety. We both found some relief once we started practicing, but it was only when we fell off the band wagon some 6 months later that we realized the positive impact it had made on our lives. Without the daily practice, our heads spun back into chaos and mess, a place that had felt normal for so many years, yet suddenly looked like absolute insanity!

So, we committed to our practice again, and haven’t looked back. We don’t always manage to get in the 2 x 20 minute daily sessions, but our early morning sessions are non-negotiable. Our boys are very aware of our meditation practice, and Bobby will be able to learn it soon once he turns 5. They will have the greatest kick start being able to incorporate meditation into their lives from such a young and moldable age. As the Dalai Lama said; “If every 8 year old in the world is taught meditation, we will eliminate violence from the world within one generation.”


Your recommendations got me onto some of my all time favourite brands like Peace Love and Vegetables, Dr Bronner's and Love Tea
What are your 5 top, non-negotiable MUST HAVES at home?

That’s a hard question because I'm so passionate about mindfully choosing ALL things that we surround ourselves with!
Ok…
Southern Cross Pottery water filter for our clean water.
Abode for ALL our cleaning and washing products.
InBed bed pure linen bedding.
Pana Chocolate OR Alter Eco chocolate.
For energy & space clearing consultation you can’t go past Leanne Dawson in Melbourne.
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Give us your fast five:
I’m reading… Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself by Joe Despenza.

I’m listening to… a Classic Acoustic playlist on Spotify.

I’m loving… My early morning routine.

I’m loathing… the Melbourne cold.

I’m lusting after… The Leeroy sofa by Grazia.

Business Chicks exists to make the world better for women

I've been following Business Chicks on Instagram for a few months now, but I had no idea  how vast their network was until this week. I attended their 2 day 9 to Thrive event in Sydney on the weekend, and boy did it blow me away.
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On day 1, I grabbed my copy of Winging It (in the hopes of meeting Emma Isaacs), planned my route, packed the pram + nappy bag because I had to bring my daughter with me. I knew the schedule, roughly, and that was about it.

When I saw the venue from afar, I was shocked, it was next level big. I was pretty self-conscious about arriving with a bub, and sheepishly asked the hostesses if it was OK to bring the pram in. All the business chicks support staff were in Grease Lightening-esk pink jackets were so kind and welcoming. They assured me that it was fine and pointed me in the direction of the creche as well as the Thank You baby room (which was amazing)! Off to a fab start: no line; efficient sign in, warm welcome... what's next?

The Royal Hall of Industries is MASSIVE. Business Chicks was hosting a legit business expo with the top brands and companies in Sydney. There were banners with inspiring quotes on them, pink everywhere, gift bags and merch galore. There were over 100 exhibitors at the expo That's right, 100.  

A few stand outs were:
Bumble Australia was offering free headshots (including hair and make up touch ups).
The Green Elephant Creche was so cute!
On the spot monograming of some fab leather pieces
1 on 1 financial consultations  

I made my way to the main stage, and got a seat to see Roxy Jacenko's interview. There were thousands of people there. Some were engrossed in the panel discussions, others perusing the stalls, buying merch or signing up to become Business Chicks members. 

There was such a buzz about the place, there is no other way to explain it. Girl bosses were everywhere drinking coffees, pink frośe, taking quirky photos, handing out business cards.... the place was pumping. Women from all walks of life were there just living their best lives. There were gals in ripped jeans, gals in fancy frocks, mums juggling bubs, girls in their early 20's, women in the 50's.... all there for different reasons, but sharing the common thread of wanting to make the world a better place for women.

I did get to meet the inspirational Emma Isaacs which was the highlight of my day, and such a treat given my earlier than planned departure because things didn't go as expected with my daughter.

​I wanted to hear from these working mums about how they execute their days and managed to keep their shit together (on the outside at least).

The line up included:
Kemi Nekvapil, Melbourne based coach, and MC of the panel.
Sally Obermeder, media personality and owner of SWIISH
Rachael Finch, model and fitness guru + owner of Body by Finch
Emma Isaacs, founder and global CEO of Business Chicks, and mother of five
Antonia Kidman, Australian journalist, author and mother of six children

The women were all so natural and it seemed like they'd been friends for years. I was absorbed in the discussion, as you do when in a room of successful, hard- working mums telling you their secrets.

Kemi didn't pull punches, asking the tough stuff and sparking excellent, engaging conversations. One of my favourite quotes was a mantra that Sally shared, which had been passed on to her from her sister Maha Koraiem.

"Do only what you can do."

Only do what you can do, and that's it. No more, no less. If you can't do something, outsource it. Take immediate control of the things that you can do, and focus on them.
How bloody simple is that? Makes so much sense - it's actually infuriating.

Why do we feel the need as women to hustle ourselves into the ground like some kind of martyr? Is this some kind of self-inflicted torture? Do we all have imposter syndrome? I sure as hell don't have anything to prove to anyone, or to social media, but I'll be damned if I'm not happiest when I'm flat out busy or flogging myself, getting shit done and kicking goals. Sometime I need to scale back on what those goals actually are. On any given day, it might be that I simply got to brush my teeth before 2 pm, I'll have to chalk that up as a win.

That's the beauty of this journey. Life ebbs and flows, motherhood is the constant, and work is the delicious cherry on top.
How do we marry them all?
That's a damn good question.

The gals gave various pieces of advice, but a common denominator seemed to be self-care. There was also a large agreement to not let mum-guilt get to you because it doesn't serve you, your partner or your children. It just weighs you down and makes you doubt your capabilities, and that's the last thing you need when you're already trying to wear all the hats your family needs.

I also was lucky enough to catch the tail end of the "How to start a business online" talk and I really enjoyed the "Tech Talks" with three leading women who are making waves in the tech world.

Below were a few of my favourite nuggets from the day that are worth remembering, and sharing.

I highly recommend getting your friends together if you're in Melbourne or Brisbane. Or, go alone like I did on day 1.  There are plenty of people to meet, conversation starters and lots of fun to be had. 

Make sure you are following them on their socials and subscribe to their newsletter to see what exciting things they are to up to, who is speaking, and how to win tickets to their next event.

​EMK

Want to know more?

Connect on Facebook​ or Twitter
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Melbourne, August 24th - 25th  (Click here to see the schedule)
Brisbane, October 19th - 20th (Schedule is not yet released)

A brief backstory for you all. I tried to eat a wide variety of healthy foods when I was pregnant because I wanted to give my daughter the best start at a diverse pallet, as well as excellent nutrition obviously! However, when the time came to introduce solids, I was so was incredibly anxious. I had no idea where to begin, what to start with, how much was too much food...? I found myself asking all my friends about it, and eventually my sweet friend Kyla gave me Annabel's Complete Baby & Toddler Meal Planner. I'll never forget opening her book, reading the introduction and feeling such an incredible wave of relief. I was instantly inspired, and felt my confidence building with each homemade meal I prepared from her book. I started to create my own recipes and my passion for eliminating the expression "kid food" in our home has been a huge success and quite an enjoyable challenge. Some of the most engaging posts on my Instagram are surrounding the meals I make for my daughter. 
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Annabel's story is complicated and beautiful, stemming from the loss of her first born daughter. Annabel wanted to create a legacy in her daughter's memory, and she has done that in spades. She is has pioneered the way babies and toddlers eat in the UK, and now you can find her products in countries all over the world as well.

So, without further adieu, let me introduce to you the one and only, Annabel Karmel. 

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​WELCOME Annabel! Let's dive in, shall we:
Describe your personality in three words.

"Obsessed with Food!"


Your passion for cooking began when you were living in Holland. What was that experience like for you as an expat and a cooking novice?

A lot of people don’t know that I actually started working life as a musician. I was a talented harpist and studied classical music at the Conservatoire in the Hague, Holland. It was while I was living in Holland that I very quickly realised I had to fend for myself. Part of this meant that I had to figure out how to cook, and it was during this time that my love of cooking really began.  Each week my mother would send me recipes which I would try out and by the time I returned home, cooking had become a real hobby of mine. 


What is a day in the life of Annabel Karmel like?

No two days are the same! I definitely don’t ever sit still and I am extremely hands on. I like to be in the office as much as I can, so that's where you'll find me when I’m not out at various meetings with brands, retailers, suppliers, attending an event, filming or working on my next book!  Our digital team, PR, marketing and sales departments are the eyes and ears of the business, so we regularly come together to discuss how we can continue to build the brand, act on our successes and share new ideas. 

I still dedicate one day a week to developing new recipe ideas, so every Tuesday you’ll find me cooking up something new in my kitchen. I love having this day out of the office, away from my desk, to get creative and discover new foodie favourites – some of which can often spark the idea for a new book. I trial and tweak ingredients, texture and method until I’m happy. 

I don’t ever want to stop this aspect of my job as it’s where it all began for me back in 1991 with the Complete Baby & Toddler Meal Planner. Evenings and weekends are all about family and friends and one of my greatest pleasures definitely has to be dinner with my three children – Nicholas, Lara and Scarlett. Now they are in their twenties! You really have to grab these opportunities when you can! 


You have three beautiful children as you mentioned above. Were they picky eaters, and what did they teach you about motherhood?

Perseverance! Any parent out there with a fussy eater will appreciate the vulnerability and frustration you can feel. 

When I started out, there were no recipe books out there that provided meals which tasted as good as the recipes I was preparing. My ingredient combinations were truly unique. Getting a child to eat well can be a real challenge (and utterly draining), but I kept at it, and it’s because of Nicholas’s fussiness that I am where I am today. 

My children are now all grown up in their twenties, but if it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t have become such a celebrated author and a leading name in baby and children’s food. They are my daily motivation, and I couldn’t have taken on this journey without them. My passion for what I do seems to have caught on with my daughter Lara who joined the business in 2016. 


What's the best piece of advice you could give to our postnatal readers?

If you’ve just welcomed a very special new member into the family, then – congratulations! It’s such an exciting time but your day-to-day is set to get a little bit more jam-packed! It’s important for you to continue to eat well both for you and for your baby.
Here are my top foodie tips for new mum "Kate" starting her incredible journey:

1. If breastfeeding, your fluid requirements increase dramatically so keep a close eye on your daily intake and remember to stay hydrated. Kate should be drinking lots of water, herbal teas or unsweetened fruit juices, and keep a bottle of water handy when she breastfeeds. 

2. Try to up your all-important intake of calcium, iron and fibre-rich foods:
Fibre. Kate should aim to eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day and include plenty of fibre. She can get this much-needed dose from fruit and vegetables as well as wholemeal bread, pasta and whole grains.  After childbirth, women can often suffer from constipation - soluble and insoluble fibre can help with this.
Iron. Red meat, dark green leafy vegetables and pulses such as lentils are all good sources of iron. If you’re a vegetarian then lentils are good, but should be consumed alongside a source of vitamin C which has been proven to help enhance iron absorption.  
Calcium. Kate should be aiming for 4-5 servings of dairy or other calcium-rich foods each day. A great way to start the morning is with a bowl of granola topped with fruit and yoghurt or some delicious bircher muesli soaked in milk. Plus, it’s two for the price of one in the nutrition stakes - oats and bran are low GI foods, so they will help fuel your body through a busy morning.  
​We know that the healthy omega-3 fats contained in oily fish are important for your brain, nervous system and vision and they continue to be hugely important post-pregnancy. Try making my super simple Salmon Fishcakes to provide an important and delicious dose of the good stuff! Just remember that if breastfeeding, you should eat no more than two portions of oily fish a week.

What stars had to align for you to go from cookbook author to having your food stocked at Tesco, Morrisons, Woolworths and beyond?

I first gained the confidence to launch my own range of children’s food after learning about the retail sector when acting as an expert to retail giants Marks & Spencer and Boots in the UK. Marks & Spencer had wanted to launch a range of children’s food and, completely out of the blue, asked me to be their food consultant. 

I spent nearly two years talking to focus groups and it was a complete education in building a food range from scratch: thinking about who the consumer was, working out the nutritional information, recipe choice, understanding packaging and the importance of pricing.

Three years later Boots asked me to work with them on a baby range that would be jointly branded Annabel Karmel and Boots. They wanted me to decide which products I thought would work in their stores. I designed a range called ‘Make It Easy’, which included both equipment and baby foods, and would be sold on the shelf alongside my books.

This experience was invaluable. Under the aegis of two major retailing companies, I was given the opportunity to listen, learn and become my own expert. 

And it was during this time that I learned to tune in and listen to my own instinct. I knew I had it in me to produce my own food range under the Annabel Karmel brand – and it all stemmed from there.  

A big part of my mission is to offer healthy meal solutions for busy families. So many parents want to cook healthy meals from scratch, but often hectic schedules get in the way. Busy days still deserve the best mealtimes, and that’s why I’ve created a special range of snap-frozen meals for babies and toddlers in Australia.

Babies will love my nutritiously balanced Peel & Pop Purees made with 100% real fruit and veggies which are snap-frozen to lock in the taste and goodness. I have also developed 15 delicious meals for children aged 1-4.  A tasty way towards their 5-a-day, they make for the perfect freezer filler.  


Best part about living in the UK is… 

I love the food scene in the UK, particularly in London. Going out for dinner and catching up with friends and family over good food is one of life’s great pleasures. Since I love to cook, when I eat out, I want it to be special and food that I often wouldn’t cook myself at home. I adore Japanese food, and there are some incredible Japanese foodie spots here in London.

I also love the great British countryside. My dogs are a big part of my life, and spending time with them is incredibly therapeutic and important to me. If I’m in need of a boost, I’ll take Bono (American Cocker Spaniel), Hamilton (Samoyed) and Sabre (Golden Retriever) away for a weekend of long walks or off to the nearest park for a good dose of fresh air.


You’ve penned 44 cookbooks (and counting)! How do you keep inspired to keep creating year after year?

My vision today is the same as it was over 25 years ago. I set out on a mission to show the world that you can make tasty recipes for babies and children. I want to continue to empower and inspire mums across the world to give their families the best start in life and to raise their children on healthy, wholesome diets.  


What, or who, inspires you above all else?

My three children are my inspiration and motivation – and Natasha.  I started out on my food journey wanting to give some meaning to Natasha’s short life and my first book was a legacy to her. My passion to succeed continued to be fuelled by Natasha and my three children who are so supportive. 

My mother is also a huge inspiration to me.  She is a wonderful woman with an amazing work ethic. She is still busy working now as an architect and interior designer.

I absolutely love running my own business, and I still love what I do 26 years on!


What do you love about your work?

Everything! I always say that if you choose a job that you love you will never have to work a day in your life.  What you do for yourself dies with you, but what you do for others lives on. I hope that my recipes and the work that I have done in the field of children will continue. 

The knowledge in my books and food products makes it as if I'm there every stage of a child’s life, helping to look after them (and mum and dad too).  Success in my eyes starts by eating well while pregnant to feeding babies, toddlers and families. 


The most famous person I’ve ever cooked for is …

I have cooked for many celebrities and indeed chefs. Although I'm best known for baby & toddler food, I also make delicious food for adults. I'm especially pleased when cooking for well-known chefs as it's a challenge and I think they probably expect carrot puree... but get a gourmet meal that could stand up to a Master Chef grilling!


Your new book Real Food Kids Will Love has just been released! I love scratching the term “kid food,” and your book seems to do just that. What age do you think  babies are ready to join their parents at meal time?

Home-cooked family meals are often the best meals. It’s not about spending hours slaving over the stove, it’s about finding solutions that work for your family, and often that means quick, balanced meals which are simple to prepare and taste delicious.  

My advice is to try and introduce tasty, healthy alternatives early on. My new book Real Food Kids Will Love brings together delicious recipes for kids aged one to five. It includes all the things mums want such as 15 minute favourites, making your own healthy fast food, and one–pot batch cooking. There is also dairy free and egg free recipes, vegetarian and vegan recipes.... as well as a collection of dishes that young children can make themselves. 


2018 / 2019 will be epic because…

I want to continue to innovate in the children’s food sector with even more flavour-fuelled, ready-to-go recipes based on my much-loved trusted cookbooks. We’ll also be working on making our products available for many more parents in even more territories. 

We are also heavily investing in our digital channels, so we will be developing even more content and helpful advice for parents. We are also currently working on a number of exciting education initiatives which will equip parents with even more useful tools to be able to give their baby the very best start. Watch this space!

We sure will Annabel! x

If you have any particular questions for me, or about Annabel's books, comment below!

Journal Entry :: 23/7/18

"This morning was my last breastfeed with Ry. Dan brought her into the bedroom and she was wearing my favourite blue leopard Bonds jumpsuit. We cuddled up while she drank, like every other morning for the past 17 months. 

I was so quiet and still, savouring the moment and trying to remember every little thing, knowing it would be our last feed together: 
The way she felt.
The cute little noise she makes when she opens her mouth to latch.
Her sweet suckling sounds.
What she smelled like.
The pressure from both her feet pressing through her bunny sleeping bag into my thighs.
​
Dan took a photo of us, but I haven't seen it yet. Tomorrow will be a really rough day, and I'm dreading it so much. I have no idea what to expect or how she, or I, will cope. Sometimes babies chose when to stop on their own. I had a feeling that wouldn't be the case, despite the fact that's what I did to my mum when I was 10 months old. In some circumstances mums are unable to feed, opt not to, or you might have to stop feeding when you aren't ready, like me.  

I think I cherished breastfeeding enough though. You have to wonder in times like these if you did, and I really think I did. My sweetest, fondest memories were breastfeeding her after our move to Brisbane when she was still only a few months old. Each morning Dan would bring her into our bed and she would fall back asleep on my breast and we would cuddle, wrapped up around each other in a sleepy haze. 
​
Being a mum to this little girl changed my life in so many magical ways. I hope we have another baby because I'd love to relive those moments, and I take none of them for granted."

EMK

She has worked tirelessly on herself to maintain a level of fitness most could only dream of, while running her household and multiple business. She's a serious go-getter and I'm always in awe of women who are killing it in their fields while also being a MUM.
​
While a lot of her IG page is super glam and all about being a #fitmum, her Instagram stories are so down to earth and raw. Picture hilarious snaps of potty training 2.5 year old twin girls and being peed on, a lot. She puts it all out there, which I love and appreciate as a mum myself.  I don't always want to see the mums with the perfect hair, immaculate face of make up, in an insanely styled and expensive outfit (they got for free) in a picture taken by a professional photographer. Sophie is continually sharing both sides of the coin, while showing others how they too can be better versions of themselves by eating better and training mindfully.

Let's dive in!

________


Many people might assume that you've been fit and fabulous your entire life and that you've been blessed with incredible genes. What message would you like to share with our readers who might not have witnessed your incredible body evolution?

Oh my goodness no! Hahaha I actually had never stepped foot in a gym until after my two sons were born. I feel like it is never too late and I truly never thought I could change my body so dramatically! I was left 30 kilos heavier after having my sons and really wanted to feel good. I wanted to feel fit, healthy and energetic. It's amazing what exercise can do to your body!


Childbirth: Traumatic or transformative?

A bit of both- all mixed into one! I have had almost 'every' experience! My first son's birth was (in reflection) an incredibly traumatic experience- every interference you could possibly imagine happened. I wanted my second son's birth to be different and it was, I walked throughout my pregnancy with him to try and remain stronger in the legs to prepare for birth and it was a beautiful birth. The twins were both breech and born via c-section- so quite a mixture in there!


What’s the single best piece of advice you could give to all our postnatal mums reading this?

There is no wrong or right way to parent. Only take on board advice that works for you.


Sum up Mum life in 3 words:

Tiring, rewarding, purposeful.


As an insanely busy mum of four, juggling multiple business, how do keep the foundations of your marriage so strong?

Our kids all go to bed at 7pm, so we have the nights to spend together. Our marriage is surprisingly great. We work so well together and we run a very chaotic organised mess of a life! LOL We have a family diary and everything is planned out so we know what is happening everyday, who is at home, who is at work, who is doing pick up and who is cooking. No relationship is perfect, but I feel blessed that our biggest issues are that my husband works out too much and that he gets angry that I don't pick my clothes up off the floor. We argue about petty things like whether the heater is safe to be left on at night time and if we baby the twins too much. Overall it just 'works'. We enjoy our routine life and love nothing more than a weekend at home!


I’ve been teaching yoga for over five years now, and I find that yoga helps me to be more mindful about how I treat my body and what I put in it. Are cardio and weight training what you use to stay grounded and focused, or do you have other go-tos?

Oh yes! Weight training is like my therapy! I feel it allows me an hour to myself and not chasing after the kids! It keeps me sane!


If you could only do ONE exercise for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Squats! I just find they work every muscle, leave me feeling exhausted, there are so many variations and it is something you can really progress in!


Social media: friend or foe?

Hmmmm a very hard one! I love social media for the reason I can reach so many more women at once, I dislike it for the fact you can hide behind a screen. Things that are said to me online would never be said to my face and I feel people are disconnected with the sense that online is the same as face to face- everyone still has feelings and emotions.


How do you practice self care?

I must admit I am always on the go, making promises to slow down, it just never really happens- however some of my key things I do give in to myself are:
My weight sessions 3-4 times a week
My blow wave once a week (time saver times 10xxxx for curly haired mums!) must do!
Early nights- gosh I love sleep and when you're awake at 4am, this is key!

Give us your fast 10!
Right now I’m:

Reading… Those Other Women
Cooking… Butter chicken
Drinking… Sparkling water
Playing… Uno!
Dreaming of… school holidays!
Loving… my girl's age, they're so funny and have so much personality coming! (age 2.5)
Buying… nothing! It's end of financial year so I am being conscious of the extra expenses!
Watching… 13 Reasons Why
Snacking on… yoghurt. I'm obsessed at the moment! My hubby jokes that I am on the yoghurt diet!
Listening… One Kiss, Calvin Harris
​

Who inspires you to keep fit and healthy for you family?

EMK

 I'm feeling so thankful and appreciative to have my little girl Earth side for a second Mother's Day!

My husband commissioned an incredible Mother's Day gift for me from our talented friend Euan Rannachan. Euan is a Bay Area artist, photographer and film maker - and I just so happen to have known him since we were teenagers!

His passion for the fine arts and film are unparalleled in my opinion, and I was moved to tears when I saw this special "Frozen in Motion" feature he made me.

Have a look
_____
​

_____

I cannot wait to watch this video time and time again. This fun age, 13 months, frozen in time to be watched and appreciated for years and years, and long after I'm gone as well.
​I will cherish this piece of art forever.

​_____
​
​To learn more about Euan, find him on: 
His website www.euanart.com
​Instagram 
Read his blog 
or stalk his ​Facebook
See more photos on his ​Flickr
or send him an email


What was your most memorable Mother's Day? Tell me in the comments below.

​EMK x 

My daughter just turned 13 months and she has already taken 18 flights! In that time we've only had one bad experience, which is amazing considering we've taken three international flights, and fifteen domestic trips. In terms of the flying component; I believe a lot of it comes down to luck and having a healthy baby (a good temperament doesn't hurt either). 

I did an Instagram poll asking who might be interested in learning a few of my tips for stress free flying as well as how to travel smoothly with kids in general. There was an overwhelming YES response, so I've accumulated a few of my techniques to share with you. I'll touch on traveling, what I pack and tips for healthy eating while on the road.
(ATTN: These are tips for flying and hotel accommodation- not road trips as we have yet to do one! We will take out first family road trip in July, so I will document that as well. Also, I know that some of these tips might not be appropriate for your child depending on their age, but here are my tricks of the trade nonetheless.)

Flying

1. Snack-o-holic:
​I know what you're thinking, DUH! This seems like a given. What kind of snacks you bring is key in my opinion. Obviously sugary snacks that will make your kid peak and then crash in a fiery inferno are not ideal. My daughter is only 13 months old, so in the last few months I've been giving her foods that are small to help her  practice and improve her motor skills. It takes her a bit of time to pick which berry she wants, master that pincer grip, and then pop it in her mouth. Before I travel, I stock up on fresh organic blueberries and have them ready, washed and packed in my carry on bag. I buy organic berries because non organic berries are known to be highly sprayed with pesticides. To save some cash, buy organic frozen blueberries from Costco in bulk, which are handy and only coast about $12 AUD from memory. Otherwise, plain frozen blueberries from Wollys or Coles work too. Just take them out of the freezer before leaving to catch your flight. 

• I also found that healthy rice crackers were a good option as well. They take a while to eat and kids seems to love the crunch.
• The humble banana. I never fly without one! Sometimes they can make your bag smell, but that's their only drawback I reckon. You can usually buy them at the airport, they keep clean in their protective peel, and they're full of potassium, fibre and vitamin C.  One small banana is less than 100 calories, easy for bub to eat, and highly nutritious. 
• Avocado. I like to travel with food that doesn't need to be temperature controlled. I often travel with an entire avocado. When the time comes to eat, I'll request a set of cutlery from the flight attendant if I don't have my bamboo set with me. I cut it in half and feed my daughter her half with a spoon. When my time comes, I eat the other half or add it to my inflight meal to get some good fats for myself. 

2. Travel Wise:
I've had the most rewarding travel experiences with Qantas. Each time I've flown with my daughter, they've always exceeded my expectations ten fold (even more so when I'm flying solo without my husband's help). The flight attendants are always eager to help and have a cuddle so I could use the bathroom with ease.  They continually made sure I was well fed and watered, much like a prize stallion. 

Also, did you know you can sign your baby up for frequent flyers with Qantas? Probably didn't, hey? Check out this link to see what the Joey Club has on offer, and to create their Joey Frequent Flyers account so you can start building their flying credit. 
​

• I also travel with two main things, my ergo baby carrier and a diaper bag I can wear as a backpack. I CANNOT stress enough how life changing it is to only travel with these two things. I have my arms and hands totally free for ease and I essentially trek around the airport like a Peruvian pack mule, but it works! 

• Lemme Up Grade You, Beyonce style. Premium economy for international flights was surprising affordable and it made my life so much easier. Also, don't forget to book and secure the bassinet seat (bulk head) if your baby is under 11.5 kilos! In premium economy you'll get that wider seat, extra room, bubbles on arrival and better food. Worth the cash in my humble opinion.

• I haven't used this product yet (because I only just found out about it, but it seemed worth mentioning). Kooshy Kids is an incredible website for all things encompassing family friendly travel. Their most intriguing product is their Kooshy Kids Kooshion which is an inflatable cushion that your child can use as a footrest or to make your child's seat convert into a bed. Some people are just geniuses, I tell ya! HOT TIP: Use code MAYHEM for 10% off your first order.

​3. Interactive Toys:
Bringing toys also seem like a no brainer. I find that toys which can be fun, yet discreet, are key. I'm not going to bring her little drum set on the plane, now am I? There are really neat toys out there now, not like the ones we grew up with. 

Books are my go to. I love small, palm sized board books that can be chucked around, get wet and wear well. The ones that have peek a boo flaps are particularly good. 

Teethers are fantastic. Flying can aggravate babies ears, so chewing and sucking are great ways to help combat that build up of pressure. The nice thing about tethers is that they don't make any noise, and yet still provide relief and soothe gums.

These insanely gorgeous teethers from Grey and Gingham. They're stylish and functional for littles. G+G also sell teething bundles with a drool bib AND a matching teether if you're about keeping that outfit on point!.

A small plush rattle is good for young babies, and so are wooden blocks. I usually only travel will two or three blocks for the sake of easy. Whether I'm traveling or not, I'm always looking for toys that will expose her to a variety of shapes, sounds and textures. 

​3. I always try to anticipate roadblocks when we travel, so I try to prepare for everything. For example, we have two types of nappys in our home, one for daytime and another for nighttime. If I'm traveling, I'll put her nighttime nappy on before the plane departs because I know it's more absorbent. I've found that even little adaptations such as these can make a world of difference. 

Let's get you organized:

​Hotels

1. Try to book a hotel or accommodation with a kitchenette. Being able to make your own food and meal prep is a sure fire way to keep a healthy, well balanced diet in action.

2. Toiletries: I always travel with our own body wash, face wash, moisturizer, and shampoo. Knowing exactly what's in the products we use is a great way to keep healthy and free from toxic exposure to things like Parabens, SLS, Phthalates and Parfum. I recommend Black Chicken Remedies, Dr. Bronner's and Beauty and the Bees if you are on the hunt for clean body care alternatives. 

3. Bedding: I like to pack my daughter's own cot sheets if room allows. They remind her of home and the familiar smell would be comforting.

4. Routine, routine routine: I always bring her sleeping bags -  the one she naps in and the one she sleeps in overnight. I try to keep her routine the same, even though we are in a completely different place. I also travel with our iPad which has a white sound app called Sleep Pillow. It's a free app that we use daily to play her lullaby on a 15 minute timer before every nap and bedtime. It might seem a bit like Pavlov's dog-esk, but when she hears the song, she knows it's time to sleep.

5. Bath Time: I've given my daughter a number of baths in the hotel bathroom sink. It's cramped, no doubt about it, but it gets the job done and it's cleaner than a hotel bath tub in my opinion.

Maintaining Healthy Habits 

1. Utilize Your Bar Fridge: When we went away to Cairns recently I didn't know we would be without a kitchen. I made the most of it by heading to the shops and topping up with a few staples. I got natural yogurt and kefir which I kept in our little bar fridge. I also bought chia seeds by weight from the local shops, so each morning she would have a breastfeed, followed by a small bowl of yogurt with chia seeds and a piece of fruit. It made for a quick, easy, healthy (and cheap!) brekkie.

2. Heat It Up: I also bought some instant, plain oatmeal as well. You can add water and microwave it in your room for a quick breakfast or snack. If you don't have a microwave in your room, just head to the hotel reception and they will heat it for you. This can be said for bottles of milk, formula or heating a pouch of baby food. 

3. Head to the Local Farmer's Market: I like to keep healthy food easily accessible in my hotel room and diaper bag (I'm a notorious snacker), so I went the farmer's market and bought a bunch of yummy fruit. I love shopping at outdoor markets because they support local farmers, the produce is insanely fresh, and it's also more competitively priced. Some of my go-to items from the farmer's market while on the road are: kiwi, paw-paw, apples, bananas, plums, and mandarines. I know fruit can have a lot of natural sugar, but by consuming the whole piece you're getting a big punch of fibre. In my mind, grabbing some fruit to go is better than diving into a bag of processed food, chips or a candy bar. 

4. Be a Side Chick: If you're like me and don't enjoying eating out a lot, vacation can be tough! On our most recent trip to far north Queensland we were eating out twice a day, everyday. That was hard to do myself, let alone with a 12 months old in tow.

• How I modified: for my daughter's breakfasts or lunch I'd order off the sides section of the menu. I'd typically ask for 2 scrambled eggs, a side of avocado and side of spinach. I'd ask if they could mix the spinach in with the eggs so it was easier for her to eat. 
• Sometimes nice cafes will a have decent protein add-ons, like a piece of miso salmon for $6. This makes a great lunch for a little bub, and then you can share off your plate as needed too.
• For dinner the first order of business is to check out the kids menu, assuming I wasn't able to bring her own meal with me. I hate the term "kids food." We should just call food, food. Sadly restaurants typically offer a kids menu of complete rubbish, and that's why I'd rather order a full priced adult meal for her. Don't be shy to ask for modifications because you're paying for the food and service. For instance, one evening we went to a Greek restaurant and I ordered her the kids lamb chops with a side salad and mashed potatoes instead of hot chips. It wasn't too pricey, she loved it, and I helped to polish off the lettuce and mash once she was full. On our last trip to Maui I go creative with a helpful waitress and we ordered her the adult Ono fish burger without the bun... so it was just a piece of fish on the plate. Insanely healthy and she polished it off a treat.

5. Make Time for Mama: There were many nights when my daughter went to bed at 7pm, which meant that I was stuck in our hotel room for 12 hours! Carve out time for yourself when you can to keep your cup full! Most evenings I covered half of the cot with a blanket to block out light so I could watch TV. I also used the few hours before bed to do some work, blog and snack on some popcorn while doing a face mask. There is no reason to resent your kids on the road, make it work for you! I highly recommend some yoga or mediation during nap time too because it's a quiet exercise that's great for your mind and body.