For most families school is now back into full swing and life is returning back to its normal routine. In our home the afternoons consist of homework, outside play, dinner, showers and the making of lunches in preparation for the next day. I try and mix their lunch options up to keep it exciting and interesting but the one thing that is always requested is something from the That! range. They don’t care if it’s a That! Dairy Snack or a That! Milkshake, they just want one of them which is quite alright by me because I know that they are a healthier option in comparison to many other products in terms of kids lunch snacks. I like the fact they are convenient, great portion sizes and the kids will always eat them meaning no transferring them from lunch box to fridge continually like many of their yoghurts do!

As I have mentioned previously on Mad Mummas blog That! Dairy Snack is lunch box friendly, it’s gluten free, contains no preservatives and is a great source of calcium (made with Aussie Milk!) and is 98% fat free. The fact it doesn’t require refrigeration and can be enjoyed straight from the cupboard makes it ideal for not only school but also car trips, camping and when on the go. If you haven’t already tried them make sure you enter the giveaway below for your chance to win some or if you can’t wait that long add them to your shopping list this week! *That! are also running a giveaway on their website so once you have entered the one below pop over and enter that one too!* and just to sweeten the deal a little more enter their facebook giveaway away as well.

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Giveaway ~ I have 5x That! Product Prize packs each containing: 24x Pouches of That! (4 of each flavour of That! Dairy Snack and That! Milkshake) plus an exclusive branded That! apron. RRP $70.00 to giveaway to 5x deserving Mad Mummas readers. Total Prize Pool $350!

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To enter all you have to do is follow the instructions on the rafflecopter below.

1.Winner is decided based on skill and chance plays no part.

2.Australian residents only! Sorry everyone else.

3.The mandatory instructions MUST be completed or your entry will be void!

**As the winners are chosen based on skill and not chance; you will be sharing for 0 extra entries. It’s good karma though and I’d love you to share the giveaway with friends and family**

a Rafflecopter giveaway

GOOD LUCK!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post however all opinions are my own.

The post Back to School with That! + GIVEAWAY appeared first on All Mum Said.

With school starting back this week it’s time to start thinking about getting organised and getting a head start on lunches. I like to have a stock pile of goodies in the freezer ready for the boys lunches and having a range of options already prepared makes lunch different and exciting each day. I started doing this so I didn’t have to put too much thought (or effort) into packing the kids lunches during the week and having the options in the freezer means I only have to add the basics to their lunchboxes. There are lots of great options that are suitable for morning tea, lunches and even afternoon tea.

I make sure there are always a few staples ready to go and these are usually chocolate chip cookies, banana muffins and double chocolate chip muffins (shown below). What I love about these recipes is that are easily adjustable to suit your taste and nutritional needs. Your local IGA caters to most dietary needs which I found out when my sister was diagnosed with a gluten intolerance. IGA has a huge range of gluten free, lactose free and even culture specific foods which can be used as alternate ingredients in my recipes. Click over to their facebook and Instagram pages to check out local stories, inspiration and ideas. I am also running a giveaway for IGA Australia to help you get organised for getting back to routine which you can enter here!

I want to share with you my personal favourite Double Chocolate Chip Muffin recipe so you too can get a head start on keeping the kids’ lunches exciting and delicious with minimal effort required. I love this recipe because it is so easy to make and the muffins are always moist and delicious!

Delicious Double Chocolate Chip Muffins

Print recipe

Serves	18
Prep time	5 minutes
Cook time	15 minutes
Total time	20 minutes
Meal type	Dessert, Lunch, Snack
Misc	Child Friendly, Freezable, Pre-preparable
Occasion	Birthday Party, Casual Party, Christmas, Easter, Valentines day
Website	Mad Mummas

These muffins are so moist, so chocolatey and so damn delicious! You will have to hide them from the kids if you want to have any. Great for school lunches, can be frozen, great all rounder!

Now is the time to get organised and the kids can even help with this recipe. Don’t forget to enter the IGA GIVEAWAY here!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post but all opinions are my own.

The post Delicious and Easy School Lunches + IGA GIVEAWAY appeared first on All Mum Said.

For most of us, social networking websites like Facebook and Twitter are as much a part of our lives as checking email. However, unlike email (which is for all intents and purposes a private affair), status updates, comments and photos posted on these social media platforms are visible to other people online – including current or prospective employers. This can cause problems for you in the workplace. Photos, especially, can speak a lot about you (for better or worse) and if you’re serious with your career – or looking to land that dream job – then you’d be wise steering clear of posting photos even remotely controversial or “indecent”. Why? Because they can cast you in a bad light, and limit your privacy. In what follows we’ll go in a bit more detail.

They can cast you in a bad light.

Photos from the weekend of you getting drunk surely won’t portray you in the most positive of lights. And may make you look irresponsible. Sure, everyone deserves to let off some steam every now and again. For most of us, drinking alcohol provides this release, and there’s certainly nothing wrong with having a few drinks on the weekend. However, you need to be mindful that your current or prospective employer may see these photos, and judge you based on them. Most employers won’t be too keen on having one of their valued and representative employees looking drunk and messy online. Unfortunately, bad photos of you drunk will look bad on them, and they may not want to take that chance with you. If the tables were reversed, would you?

Indeed, if you’re currently a part of management, then it may be worthwhile having your employees conduct a short online course on the pitfalls of posting photos on social media. (And if you’re looking for the platform to base it on, Axcelerate Australia is an excellent option.) It may be one of the most important trainings you put your staff through, especially when it appears that the popularity of social media (and other new platforms) is only set to grow in the coming years.

You lose some of your privacy.

With the popularity of social media and instant photo and status updates, it’s now getting even harder to keep some of your privacy away from prying eyes (such as your employer). For example, many individuals have been caught by their bosses for lying about being sick, or having a family emergency. An innocent photo posted by a friend on your “sick day” can come to your boss’s attention, leaving you with lots of explaining to do the next day at work.

Unfortunately, social media can hurt your career. Photos, posted innocently enough, on Facebook and Twitter can negatively affect your hard-earned reputation in your current job, as well as hurt your chances of grabbing that dream job you so rightly deserve. Indeed, indecent or “controversial” photos are not just embarrassing to you, but career damaging. So make sure you think twice the next time you post something online. It may just come back to haunt you.

The post Looking For Work? How Photos From The Weekend May Affect Your Employment Chances. appeared first on All Mum Said.

Ever walked into a friend’s room and felt that the vibe was just right? Did you then go home and realise that yours doesn’t give you the same relaxed feeling? A lot of people prefer to invest time and styling efforts into statement rooms like the lounge and kitchen while the bedroom often gets ignored. It’s quite bizarre actually, given the bedroom is the one room in your home where you spend most of your alone and sleeping time, it’s the one place that needs essences of your personality to create that Zen-like ambiance bedroom you so madly dream of. If you’re renting or don’t have the funds to remodel the entire room, don’t fret, there are plenty of cheap and creative ways you can dress a room that won’t break the bank. Here are some ideas to get you inspired.

DIY Artwork

DIY artwork is the décor of choice for hipsters and yuppie mothers; who can blame them? There are thousands of ways to make beautiful art that’s unique to your home, leaving you assured that you’re not going to find the same mass-produced photo lurking in 50,000 other homes. Doing it yourself also saves you unnecessary hours sifting through artwork to match your existing colour palette. Whether you’re a fan of quote art, metallic wall hangings, bold colour blocking pieces or a simple canvas finished with an ombre design, there’s always an idea to suit your style.

Light Patterned Table Lamp

There’s nothing worse than a light that induces a headache reminiscent of spending hours under a department stores fluorescent glare. If you’re trying to prepare your mind for a night full of REM peace, an overly bright light will trick your brain into thinking that it’s day time. Create a tranquil setting by investing in a bamboo woven lamp that creates light patterns across your room. Not only does it look cool, but the bamboo generates a dimly lit room perfect for when you want to wind down.

Hang Your Fanciest Items

Do you have an eclectic hat collection that’s been doomed to live a life behind the closed doors of your cupboard? Don’t hide them away anymore. Attach some removable hooks to your wall and hang up your fedora, trilby, beret, panama, boater, even your top hat for a functional display. You can do the same thing for statement pieces of jewellery, scarves or any cool collectables in your collection.

Statement Rug

A rug is a great way of tying a room together, therefore it’s important not to make it boring. You can put this under your comfortable bed (like a bed from http://www.latexmattress.com.au/), or if your room is big enough, spread it out in free space. Go for loud patterns, details, and interesting textures. Rug stores are always rattling on about their new closing down sale (we know you aren’t closing down) so take advantage of their reduced prices and pick yourself up a bargain.

The post 5 creative decoration ideas for your bedroom appeared first on All Mum Said.

A good kitchen renovation will revolutionise your everyday life. It’s important to do plenty of research before you begin. Explore your options. There are so many different styles and features available, you can check out some kitchen ideas at this website and also by visiting kitchen manufacturers and cabinet makers. You will usually be able to have a firsthand look at different types of cupboards, bench surfaces, splash backs and more. Take your time, ask lots of question and talk to people who have successfully renovated their kitchen.

There are several things you need to consider before you begin renovating your kitchen. Here are five.

What Do You Want From Your Kitchen

This might sound like a really obvious point, but you would be surprised how many people set about renovating their kitchen without having a firm idea of exactly what they want to achieve. Think about why it is that you want to renovate your kitchen. Is it because you don’t have enough bench space? Are you short on places to put everything? Do you find the colour of your kitchen depressing? Do you want your kitchen to be more compact so everything is within easy reach? Or are you just looking for a cosmetic facelift?

When you are very clear about what you don’t like about your current kitchen, you will have a much clearer idea of what you want from your renovations. You will then be able to create a renovation plan and a budget.

Visualise It

Collect samples of materials and colours and try to visualise them in your kitchen. You can get samples of floor coverings, paint colours, tiles and bench and cupboard surfaces. Bring them home and place them in your kitchen. Spend time visualising these colours in your kitchen and make sure you are happy with your choices before you buy.

The Budget

The next serious consideration is your budget. Now that you have a good idea of what you want from your renovations, you need to set about getting pricing. Always get more than one quote and remember that the cheapest is not always the best. Make sure you get your quotes in writing and ensure the price is firm. Price blowouts are common in kitchen renovations, so beware.

The Layout

The layout of your kitchen is a very important consideration. While many renovators get carried away choosing the latest bench tops, they sometimes forget about design. A good kitchen renovation will utilise the space available and make sure your kitchen is highly functional and convenient to use. You need to ensure that there is enough open space for you to move about and work freely in your kitchen. Appliances, like the stove and refrigerator, should be within easy reach.

Appliances

Before you begin your kitchen renovation you should decide upon what type and size of appliances you want. Choosing the best appliance for your needs is an important decision. You may stick with your existing appliances or may take the opportunity to upgrade.

The post 5 Ideas to Consider Before you Renovate the Kitchen appeared first on All Mum Said.

Now that the New Year has arrived and more than a few adults have set themselves an objective for the year to lose some extra weight, whether it be the first year you have set this resolution or the tenth – this is your year – YOU CAN DO IT. We, as individuals are strong willed, incredible, resilient and have overcome struggles and bumps in the road before and come out the other side stronger. This is no different. Weight Watchers want you to remember the personal hurdles you have you have previously gone through and draw strength from those experiences to conquer your future goals.

Losing weight is tough! We all know this from personal experience but when we put it in comparison with the ups and downs previously experienced in our lives, it is achievable. Weight Watchers and their most recent campaign want to work with you and help guide you into a positive mind frame and build on your each and every strength. You have the ability, the want and the power to achieve your weight loss and with Weight Watchers support and guidance you will begin to believe in yourself and your abilities again which will have an outcome of you seeing encouraging results. Awaken Your Incredible this year!

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post but all opinions are my own.

The post Awaken Your Incredible – because you are! appeared first on All Mum Said.

When we decide to tackle the mess in our kitchens, we want it over and done with quickly and painlessly. This usually involves using the harshest chemical cleaning products in our arsenal to complete the job. However the use of these superior cleaning potions causes a myriad of health issues including skin irritation, asthma, fertility disorders and even cancer. Not to mention how light headed you feel after spending the good part of an hour in the oven with a chemical product wafting into every pore. These cleansers also have the ability to harm the environment by polluting the waterways. If you have children, is this really what you want them exposed to? I know I don’t! Luckily, there are some old fashioned and natural alternatives that if you don’t mind a little elbow grease, are just as effective as the super-tough cleaners you find at the supermarket. Here’s how to clean your kitchen the greener way.

Use Citrus to Cut Grease and Kill Bacteria

You may have noticed that many chemical based cleaners are laced with citrus for cleaning grease in the kitchen. As we now know, these products are not safe, but thankfully you can make your own alternative. Just by soaking orange or lemon peels in clear vodka or vinegar for a few weeks, then mixing it in with water when you are ready to use, you have you very own natural cleaner that will cut through that stovetop residue.

Vinegar and Water Joins To Make Your Windows Sparkle

Forget window cleaner, good old vinegar is back to help make your windows shine. It’s simple really, all you need to do is pour white vinegar and water into a bucket and you’ve just ensured yourself some streak free windows.

Baking Soda Fixes Everything

My Grandmother used to say that baking soda fixed everything, and she wasn’t wrong! Baking soda is a miracle cleaner that when mixed with water forms an alkaline liquid. This has the ability to cut through grease and dirt on virtually every surface. You don’t even have to mix it with anything to experience its cleaning power. Used in neat form, it is great for scrubbing through problem stains. However if you need that little bit of extra power, spray a little vinegar on the area for a bubble like effect that even the kids will love scrubbing off.

Make a Volcano in Your Drain

Once again, vinegar and baking soda save the day. We all know drains can get built up over time but the last thing we want is to pour harsh chemicals straight into our waterways. Instead, pour a quarter of a cup of baking soda into your drain followed by a cup of vinegar. Wait until the bubbling subsides and rinse with water.

Deodorize Your Home the Old Fashioned Way

While there’s always essential oils and perfumes to make your kitchen smell pretty, these ways often mask the smell instead of eradicating it. For a greener alternative, mix a teaspoon of cinnamon and any other delicious smelling spices you may have on your rack into a pot of boiling water. Leave and the aromas perform their magic.

Of course, if the job is too big or you are too busy to find the time to clean the entire kitchen, then leave it up to the experts AMC Australia , who specialise in natural cleaning alternatives. Happy cleaning!

This is a sponsored post.

The post How to have a spotless kitchen without using harsh chemicals appeared first on All Mum Said.

When I need to order photo gifts, canvases, prints or even photo books I go straight to Snapfish. I discovered them about 4 years ago and have never looked back so when I was approached to share some of their products with you I couldn’t say no. I recently ordered a gorgeous photo book and filled it images from the past 12 months as a gift for my family who doesn’t get to see us as often as they would like. The website makes it so easy to create your keepsake (regardless what you are making – photo book, mug, you name it!) and the quality is always superior. The hard cover photo books are Snapfish’s best sellers and for good reason; the images are clear, the pages are thick, you can have multiple images per page and the covers can be customised. They come with 20 pages but additional are available for $1.95 per extra page. There are also lay-flat books available which are great if you want one photo to spread across the entire 2 pages.

I have also purchased many canvas prints from Snapfish and have never been disappointed with them. They are ready to hang and made with the highest quality. I am pretty sure a canvas was the first thing I ever purchased from Snapfish and obviously was very happy with them because I have since gone onto to buy 6 for my home along with many others as gifts for family. My most recent canvas is of my 6 month old; I’m kind of embarrassed to say that it has taken me this long to hang a photo of her (yes this is the first photo of her to be hung in our home).

If you are looking for something unique as a gift, want to create something and memorable to keep forever that is reasonably priced than I highly recommend checking out Snapfish. You can get your products delivered to your door or pick up at your local Kmart store. I have an amazing discount for Mad Mummas readers as well – how does 40% off 4 amazing products sound?

1. 40% off 20x28cm Custom Hardcover Photo Book – 20 pages. CODE: FUN20X28

2. 40% off 28x20cm, Portrait (A4 size) Lay-flat Photo Books – 20 pages. CODE: FUN28X20LF

3. 40% off 30x30cm Square Canvas Prints. CODE: FUN30X30

4. 40% off 30x45cm Rectangle Canvas Print. CODE: FUN30X45

            T&Cs: Valid until 31st January 2014, can be used up to 10 times on Snapfish.com.au or Snapfish.co.nz sites only. *note, Lay-flat Photo Book not available for sale in NZ.

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post for Snapfish but as always – all opinions are my own!

The post Snapfish me a gift! + 40% OFF!! appeared first on All Mum Said.

I often see women in a range of ages from spring chickens to seniors that wear their make up so thick and heavy that it often makes you wonder whether they would look better with no make up on. Surely wearing so much isn’t good for their skin. I then also question does it just seem like a lot because I am a minimalist in terms of make up? My daily regime consists of cleansing, toning, moisturiser and a little bit of bronzer, I will occasionally add some lip gloss if I feel like prettying it up a little but that’s about it. I understand a lot of women wear make up for many reasons – to cover imperfections, give their face colour and some even to give them that extra confidence but what many don’t realise is that the make up they wear is making them look older than they actually are.

Olay is promoting their new Olay Regenerist CC Cream at the moment but alongside this they are showing women how they can look younger without having to pile on the heavy make-up. There are a few basic steps that will save everyone a lot of time and leave them looking not only more natural but more radiant. Click over and watch the 1 minute video to see the amazing comparison and learn how you too can get the natural make up look.

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post but all opinions are my own.

The post Is your make up making you look older? appeared first on All Mum Said.

When you live in a house of mostly males there are bound to be some a lot of horrible, awful and unimaginable smells. A lot of the time I don’t think I want to know what the odour is that they have just wafted through the house from room to room but being a mother I always have to ask just in case it is something that has crawled into their school bag, bedrooms, etc. and died! Luckily this is yet to happen and hopefully won’t – ever. I like my house to be fresh; not only in appearance but aromas as well and having kids and a husband makes it near impossible. Since it would be very impractical, time consuming and quite costly for me to follow the boys and my husband around and spray pretty smelling stuff in the rooms they have just stunk out I have opted for something that freshens the rooms automatically.

You may have seen recently the new Dettol Glen 20 healthy air system in your local supermarket or on TV; I have been using it and want to share with you my thoughts. It has only been in action for a few days but so far it is great for neutralising the bad smells; I have noticed a more pleasant scent around my living areas! I love the convenience that it automatically releases bursts of fragrance allowing my home to remain smelling fresh, clean and welcoming. It is also very easy to use; basically you put the refill in, set the intensity control and it does the rest by itself! Set and forget – it doesn’t get much more convenient than that.

When there are majority males in the household the bathroom tends to become a zone of ‘enter at your own risk’. The smells left behind can be quite unpleasant at times. Thankfully the freshmatic air system helps to neutralise the bathroom odour and periodically releases bursts of fresh air scent to leave my home smelling wonderful.

For more information click here.

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