The older the girls get, the tougher each mealtime becomes. They’re developing every single day, and it can be tricky with two girls at different stages of life trying to approach dinner time calmly and fairly. Over the years I’ve learned a few tips and tricks to help make your family mealtimes a bit easier: 

1. DONT FILL THE PLATE TO MUCH.

I used to fill their plates up with a large serving of food in the hope that they’d accept the challenge and eat everything! What I actually found is that they ate less, compared with when I gave them a smaller serving and offered them seconds. I think large amounts can be overwhelming for little ones – after all, all they want to do is finish up and get back to playing. Try giving your kids a smaller potion and make it into a game: who can finish first?! Madison and Macie usually speed through theirs and end up asking for more! Secret Mum tricks, right there!

2. GET THEM INVOLVED IN THE PREPARATION

This one is tricky, but try involving your kids in the mealtime planning. I ask my girls each morning what they fancy for dinner, and have found it gets them more excited about dinner time. I know they are only 5 and 3 and ultimately it’s me who needs to decide what they eat – you don’t want to surrender too much control, remember! But this way, they are involved in the decision making which makes it easier for them to eat. I usually will add one or two things they requested in the meal, and so when it comes around to mealtimes, they know that I’ve included them in the prep. I think knowing what to expect helps, too. 

3. FIND INTERESTING CUTLERY

It sounds trivial, but try changing up your utensils and crockery every now and again. I like to change up their cutlery, as I’ve found it makes them excited to be eating with a new spoon and fork! Kids, eh?! Lately the girls have been loving “Big Kid” cutlery to make them feel grown up and independent. At the moment we are using Carrol Boyes stainless steel cutlery set which comes packaged beautifully in a tube with a spoon, fork and a child-safe knife. The girls love it and loved the fact they can look like mumma using stainless steel set! Grab your set HERE

How do you tackle mealtimes in your family?! I’d love to hear any tips you guys have, so let me know in the comments below!

Public service announcement – I’ve found a solution to our 5pm dinner dilemma, all thanks to Crockpot. I’m so excited to share it with you all!

The new Crockpot Express Crock Multi Cooker (RRP $149.95) is exactly what every home needs. Our household now enjoys more family time, less cooking time, and more importantly – less cleaning time! The Crock Multi Cooker is a 12 in - multi cooker that can do everything from pressure cooking to steam and fry cooking. 

I’m fussy in the kitchen so it can take a lot for me to fall in love with a new pan or appliance, but the Crockpot Crock Express Multi Cooker had my heart within one evening! How many of you share our family dilemma of getting to 5pm and having no energy or imagination to cook something delicious and nourishing? As a Mum, I try to avoid feeding the girls too much processed foods, but this means I need to be on top of my game with my cooking and planning – it just doesn’t always happen that way, right Mums?!

With the Crockpot, our meals are cooked as much as 70% faster, thanks to the powerful multi cook mechanisms inside. It’s sounds silly, but it’s really brought our family much closer – we’re enjoying more togetherness every single night, and hubby and I are far less stressed out trying to organise dinner for a family of 4. 

We cook so many of our meals using the Crockpot now, and we really love the one pot meal option. Basically, you put everything all in the one pot and it cooks up a delicious meal all on its own. Come clean up time, it’s quick and easy to get everything washed and put away. No sink full of pans in our home anymore!

I’ve also loved the auto keep warm mode, which is amazing for when you’ve got friends coming over, or more often, when the girls aren’t ready or hubby is late home from work! The Crockpot can hold dinner for us without it getting cold. SO handy! 

If you are keen entertainers, not only can you keep your meals piping hot until you’re ready to eat, but the huge 5.5 litre capacity means you can cook for everyone at once. I dread having too many people over and always end up buying food that’s ready made for fear of causing a huge mess in the kitchen, or not having enough equipment to cater for everyone. Now we’ve got the Crockpot, we’ll be hosting all the time. The recipe book that came in the box has already given me tons of ideas – we’ve had a 20 minute risotto and a tasty weeknight-friendly meatballs in less than half an hour!

The extra time in the evening is really a lifesaver. We get more time with our girls and with each other, and we can easily share the cooking and prep now that it’s all handled by the Crockpot. We’ve got more time to get the girls bathed and ready for bed, and can even sit around while the Crockpot bubbles away and catch up on everyone’s day – it’s real family time. 

So, what do you guys think? Have you tried the Crockpot Express Multi Cook or a similar product? Has it changed your life as much as ours?! If you know someone who’s often in dinner distress, or you’re looking for the perfect new home gift, the Crockpot would be perfect!

Check out Crockpot HERE

If you’re anything like me, you’ll know how hard it is trying to establish a work-life balance. For me, the toughest part is organising and preparing  dinner for my girls and husband when I have so little time. This year I’ve tried a fair few different meal delivery services and other ways to make meal preparation easier, and by far the best and most delicious has to be the Chef Direct range from Marathon Foods. 

The Chef Direct by Marathon Foods is available at IGA stores, and is a new, clever and nutritious range of meals that literally take you minutes to prepare. Clever technology and packaging means all the products are kept fresh without needing to be frozen or refrigerated – even better! The Chef Direct range includes tasty classics like Beef Meatballs, Chilli Con Carne, Lamb Shanks with Mint Gravy and  Lamb Shank with  Red Wine & Rosemary. Sounds yummy, right? To top it off, the range is free from artificial flavours, colours or preservatives and there is no added MSG! 

This range has made my life so much easier. It’s so tasty, my family love the meals, and they don’t take up space in the fridge, which is such a life saver. I sometimes take the meals to work for lunches, too, as I can just throw one in my bag and know it’s fresh until lunchtime. If you’re looking for a easy option for weeknight meals, Mums, head to your local IGA and check out the Chef Direct range now!

Check out my pics on the dishes we have tired so far.

Chilli beef and beans

Meatballs tomato and basil

Lamb shanks

For me, creating family memories is everything. I document all of our special days out together with photos and videos, and often find myself sitting on the couch when the girls are in bed reminiscing on time with my family. It sounds silly, but time really does fly when you’ve got little ones. Before I know it they’ll be off to Uni – I always make time to cherish these moments while they’re so little.

My family and I recently took a trip to Canberra, and our experience at the Canberra Novotel is one we’ll be reminiscing about for years to come. The girls had been to Canberra before and had been desperate to go back, so I was thrilled to be able to see their faces when I announced we were heading off to the Novotel for another dose of Canberra fun!

It’s such an underrated city – great for families and just a short flight away. If you’re not sure whether Canberra is the place for you, it makes for a fantastic mini-break with little ones, especially with all the features of the Canberra Novotel. 

Arriving at the Hotel

From the moment we checked in, the girls were kept busy in the mini play zone. I was sorting out the paperwork at the check-in desk, and glanced over to find the girls playing hotels on the play table! So cute. It looks like I might have a couple of future hoteliers on my hands, bless them. 

Once checked in, we were whisked off to our room, which had plenty of space for us to spread out – a total must-have when traveling with kids, right?! The staff were really helpful and were able to assist us with our plans during the trip. They had plenty of recommendations for things to do with kids, too, so if you’re visiting for the first time, rest assured you’re in good hands.

Facilities

If you’re looking to unwind a little on your trip, the Canberra Novotel has its own sauna and pool – which has been recently renovated, too. If you’re a gym bunny, fear not – the on-site gym will mean you don’t miss a workout! My kids were a workout enough, so I skipped the treadmill this time around (lol!).

Dining- First Edition Bar and Dining

The hotel’s restaurant is the First Edition Bar and Dining Room, offering a varied menu of high-quality dishes to suit all tastes. The menu looked really impressive, and the breakfast was to die for – I can’t go past a hotel brekkie, can you!?

We were lucky enough to attend the Teddy Bear’s Picnic High Tea event as part of First Edition’s monthly special event. Every month is different, and there are plenty of family-friendly occasions on the schedule. At the high tea, every child was invited to bring their own teddy bear to join in the fun, and the girls loved recreating their very own teddy bear’s picnic in a fancy, high tea setting.

All the kids were able to play games like pass the parcel, make their favourite animals into balloons, colour in with the bear colour sheets, design their own teddy bear shirts, or take some time out with the building blocks and books available. The girls absolutely loved it, and got stuck into all the activities – which meant Mum and Dad were free to enjoy the tasty food, bonus! We tried bagels, mini cupcakes, classic Lamingtons, and a selection of sandwiches and cakes. If you’ve specific dietary requirements or preferences, the Novotel will happily cater. There were plenty of vegan options and flexibility for other dietary needs. 

Visiting Canberra

The hotel is also within easy reach of all of Canberra’s top attractions. The National Gallery and National Museum are definitely worth a visit, and the National Science and Technology Centre is a really cool hands-on educational experience, too. The Canberra Novotel concierge staff are full of knowledge about the local area, so if you need ideas or inspiration, they’re sure to help you out.

** Hotel and restaurant was kindly hosted but all thoughts and views my own

Last night was family dinner night, and for something a little extra special, we went to the iconic Pancakes on the Rocks. Pancakes on the Rocks first opened in 1975 on Hickson Road in The Rocks, Sydney. From this one location the famous pancake houses have branched out and opened more locations across New South Wales and Queensland. 

This place has always been a family favourite of ours. It’s really got everything. The menu is packed with options that the kids will love, and plenty for hubby and I, too. We get to sit in diner-style booth seats keeps my girls happy – and more importantly, firmly in their seats! 

The girls ordered a big breakfast for dinner (because why not!?). Their plates came piled high with scrambled eggs, bacon, hash brown and sausages. I went for a perfect steak, with a side of wedges and fresh vegetables, slathered in gravy and sour cream. Hubby went for the beef brisket. All of our meals were cooked to perfection, with real quality ingredients. I couldn’t fault it. 

The service was great – we were greeted well and the staff were never too far if we needed anything. They checked in on us a number of times, and were really chatty with my girls. 

We finished off the meal with Nutella pancakes – obviously! This new addition to the menu was one I just couldn’t resist, and perfect for a decadent finish to our family meal. 

I love to share all my foodie finds with you guys – I know how hard it is finding places that are appropriate for kids, without being a total nightmare.

Where are your favourite spots to eat out with kids? I’d love more recommendations!

Check out Pancake on the rocks HERE

Having two kids means having to research ahead before going to any restaurant – my fellow Mums out there will totally know what I mean! It’s all about checking there’s something they’ll eat on the menu, and ensuring the serving times suit little tummies and little bedtimes! It doesn’t hurt to make sure there’s something hubby and I will enjoy too, though, so researching ahead isn’t always the worst thing.

We recently had a family dinner at Redline Kitchen and Taphouse located in the Tramshed in Forest Lodge, Sydney. The Tramshed is one of NSW’s most exciting dining districts, adapted from the original Rozelle Tram Depot – that certainly made for an exciting night out as a family. 

This place ticked all the boxes! Family friendly, affordable and totally delicious, Redline Kitchen and Taphouse is certainly a refreshing member of the Tramshed’s trendy dining scene. 

Food

The girls both had the fish and chips, and even though it was such a generous size for a kids meal, they finished the lot! Win for all! Hubby and I shared 13” New York style pizza and topped with bacon, ham, and pork sausage, and a fried buttermilk chicken burger with slaw and smoked jalapeño aioli. It was honestly SO good. Very fresh and flavoursome, it was seasoned to perfection, and a really fresh approach to casual dining. 

Atmosphere

The restaurant was very bright coloured, clean and pretty big space with an upstairs, downstairs and outdoor area. The outdoor area caters for families – it’s packed with games for kids to enjoy. Connect 4 was one my girls said they want to play next time! I really love restaurants like this, as it gives Mums and Dads a chance to spend some quality time together, knowing that the kids are happily entertained in the play area. The staff were really friendly, too, and happy to help with any concerns. 

We really enjoyed our visit to Redline Kitchen & Taphouse, and would definitely recommend it to families, couples or groups for an easy meal out. The menu is very varied and caters to plenty of tastes and lifestyles, and the vastness of the restaurant space makes it perfect for an al fresco dinner during summer or a cosy winter catch up. 

Check out REDLINE Kitchen &  Taphouse HERE

Whether you’re looking for a new spot for date night, a work gathering, or simply a new hang out to catch up with friends – trust me fellow Mums, I know how needed these nights are! – look no further than The Ternary. Perfectly positioned in the Novotel Sydney on Darling Harbour, its level one outlook offers stunning views of the harbour and city skyline.

I took my sister for a much-needed girls’ catch up dinner to see what the Ternary had to offer. Divided into three sections, The Ternary certainly has variety on its side. Expect a theatre-style Grill Kitchen, an Asian Kitchen and the super-sophisticated Ternary bar.

Right from the moment we walked in we knew our night was going to be filled with happy bellies and wonderful service.

First up – COCKTAILS (aka the most important part of the night!) 

We had the pleasure of watching the cocktail of the month, SKAL, get made in front of us. This delicious cocktail has the best flavour ever, paying homage to the Nordic tradition. With a base of Swedish Absolut Vodka, complete with Butterscotch Schnapps, Swedish mead, pear, caramel, lemon and Peychauds bitters – it’s a drink to raise to good health + wellbeing, skål!

THE VIBE

The Ternary is located in the Novotel Sydney on Darling Harbour, which gives a relaxing feel, set back from the bustling city. Surrounded by views of beautiful Darling Harbour makes you really appreciate the gorgeous views we’re lucky enough to be able to enjoy. The interior aesthetic is so modern and spacious – it certainly makes for a very special night out. The light, bright feel with minimalist designs was definitely one for my Instagram, too!

THE SERVICE 

All the restaurant staff were very accommodating and so friendly – it makes such a difference to my night when I feel welcomed by the team. The warmth of the staff felt very genuine. It’s a big statement to make, but it was really nothing like we’ve ever had before. Everyone who served us introduced themselves, giving our experience a really personal feel. 

THE FOOD

We were offered ringside seats at the grill kitchen, which was a really special experience. We watched the fabulous Chef Lucas cook our food right in front of our eyes! If you’re into real, authentic cooking, this is for you. The menus are mouth-watering with a plethora of options that even the fussiest of eaters would enjoy. We had a 7-course meal from the degustation menu and best wine and cocktails to match the food. I’m not a regular degustation eater – it’s essentially a ‘tasting’ menu that allows you to try the restaurants specialities. And specialities they were, indeed!

First up we had Naan bread, followed by an impressive tempura zucchini blossom stuffed with brie – yes, STUFFED with brie. Need I say more? Next it was pulled peppered beef in a crispy pastry with water chestnuts, and Peking duck in a steamed open bun with spring onions. I think that’s what I love about degustation dining – the opportunity to try things you’d never have dared to yourself, and discovering new flavour combinations that just work so well together.

Next up was Tandoori chicken with a cucumber and lime salad, which was a delightfully fresh take on a familiar flavour. If that was already so much tasty food we still had main and dessert to come!

The main course was a beautiful scotch fillet – 150 day grain fed black angus – with potatoes, spinach and our choice of sauce – a total classic, but the meat was so beautifully respected by the chef, it was definitely a premium dish. 

For dessert we enjoyed a lychee crème bruleé with coconut sorbet and biscotti, AND a green tea matcha mousse with white chocolate cream and adzuki bean dark chocolate tart.The flavours were incredible – absolutely like nothing I’ve ever tried before. 

THE VERDICT

A total MUST try! The Ternary really caters for whatever taste or occasion you have in mind. The degustation option was a really nice treat and fabulous for adventurous foodies, but if you’re after a safer, family friendly option, don’t be put off at all. The restaurant has plenty of variety and is very welcoming to families. 

Highlights have to be the quality ingredients, incredible flavours, harbour views and the warm service. Let me know if you give this restaurant a try – I’ll certainly be going back soon.

** This was a hosted dinner- All options and thoughts my own.

As a mother of two girls, I am always cautious of what I'm putting in my daughters’ lunchboxes. Fruit and vegetables are a necessity for my girls, but healthy extras are always great to have on hand in the pantry. I’m trying to mix it up as much as possible so they don’t get too bored of the same old stuff. I figure, if I keep things changing, they’ll look forward to the surprise as well as the food itself.

As you know, Madison is starting school next year, and a stressful part of sending your kids to school is organising what to pack in their lunchbox. These days you’ve got to be really careful of school regulations – from allergens to packaging guidelines, it’s not as simple as when I was at school!

I've been doing research and looking around for healthier alternative snack foods and one that has impressed me was the range Mamee is offering. Not only do their products contain no added MSG, but they are also made with RSPO sustainable palm oil making them compliant with Healthy School Canteen Strategy (Amber Approved).

Madison has been trying the Mamee Noddle Snack, and their gluten free rice sticks and they have been a HIT! Her favourite was the chicken noodle snack, hands down! When I asked her why she loved that one, she said she likes how it's crunchy as well as being very tasty. Madison loved crushing the noddles while they were still in the packet and it bought back some memories for me too. She mentioned she loved the bright packaging, too – that’s one happy girl.


Macie has a clear favourite too, and for her it’s the Mamee Gluten Free Rice Cheese Sticks. The pack size is perfect for her little hands to hold on to, and perfect to put loose in the lunchbox once the pack is open. These are gluten free, and SO flavoursome. I must say I’ve been sneaking some of these in too. Mum’s rite of passage, isn’t it?!

So, in the name of mixing up your kids’ lunchboxes, I’d definitely say these are a winner. Make it a game with your little ones – see if they can guess what’ll be in their lunchbox that day. You could even keep a scoreboard, with a prize for whoever guesses right! Lunchbox bingo, perhaps?! Anyway, mums. I would highly recommend this range. I love how it's convenient for me to purchase at my local Woolworths and it's a great size to easily fit into Madison's lunchbox for school.

More info on the Mamee snack range is here


Have you tried these? Which is your Favourite?


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* This post was sponsored by Mamee- All options and thoughts are my own 

DECADENT DARK CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH BUNNY EARS

By Jodie Van Der Velden

Ingredients

Cake

Ganache Topping

Directions

Cake

Dark Chocolate Ganache topping

Bunny Ears