Introducing our first Go-To service for Mums - Bell Landscapes

I would like to introduce you to the first business within our Mums Go-to directory.  It is my aim to create a go-to directory of recommended and endorsed businesses that help to make your life easier - no more searching for the right service - we will list it for you.   

I have had the personal pleasure of spending time with Mark, learning about his business and also the way in which he goes about his business.  In a busy world where we are all short on time Mark and his team at Bell Landscapes guarantee their services through things like 'always being on time' - a simple yet often abused understanding in the world of trades.  

In most households mum looks after the garden so if you have a garden which needs a tidy up, ongoing maintenance or are thinking of bulding your garden in time for summer keep reading. 

Bell Landscapes is a boutique styled service that suits clients who are quality-conscious and appreciate the highest level of customer service and professionalism.
 

Bell Landscapes create exceptional gardens and landscapes for their clients. To improve lifestyles, add value and create beautiful functional areas for your family and friends, they fully understand that your home is likely to be your largest asset; their intention is to deliver you the garden of your dreams so you never want to leave!

Bell Landscapes are offering Body Beyond Baby clients and friends a full Garden Maintenance for just $97.

To find out more, call Mark Bell on 1300 855 280 or visit their website www.belllandscapes.com.au 
and on Facebook

Testimonial

‘Bell Landscapes have been looking after the maintenance of the terrace gardens at our harbour side apartment during the last 3 years, and we are exceedingly happy with their service. 

Mark Bell has been terrific in all that we have asked of him, and has also designed a marvelous new garden on our remaining terrace, taking into consideration our very specific needs and preferences for lush but robust greenery, high privacy hedging, water features, subtle lighting, and framing of the harbour views.

While it is marvelous to put in beautiful landscaped gardens around homes or apartments, if they are not well maintained then all the planning, investment and hard work is wasted. Bell Landscapes has been first class in providing the maintenance.

We have a terrific relationship with The Garden Maintenance Team.  They have studied horticulture and have an extensive knowledge of design, plants, soil composition, micro climates – particularly around the harbour, and irrigation systems.  Dedicated professionals, they take great pride in keeping our garden healthy and lush, and all features and technology functioning perfectly.  They respond immediately if we encounter any problem whatsoever, nothing is too much trouble, and they keep us informed if the team is running even a few minutes late. They are always careful, meticulous and leave everything looking immaculate.  We appreciate this commitment and consideration. They are always on the lookout for particularly hard to find plants or herbs for us, and ready with suggestions for how to get the best out of our garden.  

We are delighted to recommend Bell Landscapes for garden design and implementation, and for excellent garden maintenance.”

Jennifer Hall, Pyrmont, May 2012

Mum of The Moment - Meet Mai

Without our wonderful mums and bubs Body Beyond Baby just would not be.  Each month we like to celebrate your achievements and recognise the hard work that you put into your training and life as a mum.  This month I would like you to meet our Mum of the Moment for October- Mai and her nine month old daughter; Kira.  Mai joined Body Beyond Baby on the recommendation of a Mum in her mother's group.  

Mai was nominated for Mum of the Moment by a number of other Body Beyond Baby mums who know about the tough time her family has gone through with Kira's heart complications yet has still managed to create some time for herself and strategies in coping with a situation that is heart wrenching and that would challenge every single one of us.  Mai understands that by looking after herself she can be the best mother she can be and be there for Kira, to support her.  She is on her second challenge and is determined to keep her weekly sessions a priority in her life.

 

As a thank you to our Mum of the Moment and a congratulations for all of her hard work Mai will receive a voucher for Plenty Kitchen and Tableware in Bondi Junction

 

Tell us a bit about yourself?
 
I'm 34 (but definitely don't look it right?!) and originally from Wollongong but have been living in Sydney for about 9 years now. I've done some interesting jobs in my time including being a dance teacher and pouring beers in Canada but I'm pretty settled now working at UNSW, although being on maternity leave is the highlight of my job to date. I've been married to Rob for 6 years and we have a gorgeous girl Kira to round out our family. Kira is almost nine months old and a very cheeky but incredibly brave little lady.  She has some major heart complications which we first discovered when she was 6 days old. She has had three major surgeries since then but has come through them all with determination and a beautiful smile which we are incredibly thankful for.

What made you join Body Beyond Baby?

One of the mum's from my mother's group recommended Body Beyond Baby and I thought why not give it a go! I've always tried to stay fit and healthy but after having Kira I struggled getting back into any exercise routine. We don't have any family close by and my husband works shift-work so trying to work around his shifts and the needs of a newborn meant I was not really getting to the gym regularly.  While I did a lot of walking I didn't feel like I was getting anywhere in terms of regaining my fitness. The fact that there were nannies looking after Kira meant that I could lock in a day and time to commit to me and my fitness and this was probably the main reason I initially started with Body Beyond Baby. I hadn't done any prior group fitness training so wasn't exactly sure if it would be 'my thing' but I love it, and have from the very first session!
 

What has been your Body Beyond Baby highlight so far?

My highlight was the beep test score I achieved at the end of the last challenge.  My husband (who is a total fitness freak) was so proud of me.  He posted a comment on facebook to let everyone know what a fit wife he has and I received loads of nice comments from all of our friends saying they were really impressed that I had made such an effort after having Kira to get back to being fit and healthy - that made it all worthwhile for me.
 

What has been your greatest challenge?

My greatest challenge has been trying to keep my diet under control when we've been going through our rough times with Kira. I can't have caffeine because of Kira's condition while I'm breastfeeding, and Kira used to wake every 2 hours at night so I'll admit that I've fallen off the wagon quite a few times in relation to sugar (sometimes I just couldn't resist that little pep). I'm getting it under control now in this challenge and have given up my vice of hot chocolates in favour of hot water with lemon or herbal teas. Being in hospital and having constant appointments with Doctors also threw out my level of preparation for meals which, coupled with my average cooking skills has meant that I am not where I'd like to be in terms of a really healthy diet. It's never been really bad but just not exactly what it should.....slowly but surely.
 

What has inspired you to sign up to our Find Your Summer Body 8 Week Challenge?

I really enjoyed the Watch Your Winter Waistline challenge. It kept me focused on putting aside that extra time each week for 'me', at a time when I really had little energy to concentrate on myself. I know I feel much better both physically and mentally because of it. While I was really happy with what I achieved in the Winter challenge, I knew I had a bit more in me and could do with a little bit less in my thighs so I signed up for the challenge inspired by the thought of revealing a new swimsuit on my tropical holiday in December!
 

Do you have anything else to add?

Training with Body Beyond Baby is the most fun I have ever had while exercising. I look forward to every session knowing that I will always have that extra little bit of energy for whatever my cheeky and demanding little bub throws at me that day. Jen is truly passionate about what she does and it shows in the way she is able to get the best out of everyone in the sessions and particularly the challenges. I am constantly inspired being surrounded by amazing mums who have taken time out of their busy days to commit to themselves and their fitness- how can you not be!

Mum of the Moment is proudly sponsored by

Become friends with the Plenty Kitchen and Tableware Facebook page

and receive exclusive offers and discounts 

Thank you to our Find Your Summer Body Partners and Sponsors

Body Beyond Baby's Find Your Summer Body - 8 Week Challenge  for 2012 kicked off on Monday 8th October and we are now in Week 4!

This challenge is our biggest yet with over 70 mums excited and on board to make changes to their lifestyle, improve their fitness and be looking and feeling fantastic by summer!
 
We really appreciate our partners and sponsors in enabling us to reward our Mums for their commitment to themselves through our challenge.  It is a great privileged to be associated with these fantastic brands that share our values and acknowledge the importance of ensuring mum is well looked after. 

  

 

Challenge within a Challenge - Two Weeks of Sugar Free

For those of you doing our Find Your Summer Body - 8 Week challenge you will know that weeks 4-6 are our SUGAR FREE weeks.  Going sugar free is a great way to completely get rid of the junk from your diet and also assess how much sugar you eat in your everyday foods AND how much sugar your children might be consuming without really realising.

And for those of you not doing the challenge you are more than welcome to join us for our two weeks of sugar free.

You may already be almost sugar free within your current challenge but lets take it to the next level and really make sure we know how much sugar you consume on a daily basis (in various forms) By eliminating it from your diet, along with continuing on your path of regular exercise you  leave yourself open to even more fantastic results

Starting on the 29th October we will remove all sugar from our diets.

This means:

No alcohol

No cakes, chocolates, pastries, ice creams, soft drink

No Fruit juices, boost juices, smoothies, milk shakes

No white potato

No sugar in tea or coffee

No sweetened yogurt

No dried fruit

1-2  pieces of fruit per day only

 1 slice of wholegrain bread per day maximum

1 cup of cooked pasta per serve a maximum of once per week

You will continue to lose weight within these two weeks and by removing sugar from your diet you will curb the cravings that lead to more cravings, breaking the vicious cycle.  You will see how with a little thought it is possible to eat completely sugar free (and how much food contains sugar!!!)

By the end of these two weeks, you will have confirmed your habits that see you;

Drink tea and coffee without sugar

Only drink alcohol once or a maximum of twice per week

Only eat sweets once or a maximum of twice per week

Learn that meals should be made up of large amounts of non root vegetables

Treat pasta or rice as a accompaniment to a meal, not the main part of the meal

Never drink soft drinks

Avoid boost and other blended drinks

Learn that dried fruit is not a health food

Choose lower sugar yogurts

If you are doing the challenge this IS part of your challenge period and HIGHLY recommended.  I also highly recommend it to all of you not doing the challenge but wanting to set yourself an achievable goal in the lead up to summer and see some great results.

So who’s in?

Because we are doing this for just TWO weeks - I encourage you to have NO cheat or free pass days - make the decision, stick t it and reap the rewards.

Be honest with yourself. You made the decision to commit to this challenge and your two sugar free weeks so let's stay on track.

Nurture the Body that Nutures your Baby

No matter what kind of mum you are or what kind of parenting techniques you use we all have one thing in common - we want to be the best possible parent we can for our children.  This starts in pregnancy, often even before conception when we devour book after book about how to prepare our body for best for birth, what foods to eat what exercise to do, what vitamins to take...the list is endless.  We read books on the development of our babies as they grow inside us, then we start on the techniques, theories and ideas on how best to parent them, how to teach them to sleep, when they should eat, how often they should poo....what this means.... what that means and it goes on......   All the while we are still pregnant and making sure we are taking care of the vessel which is currently carrying them - you.  You prepare your meals with care making sure you include all of the valuable food groups, you rest regularly, you have your personal trainer or pilates instructor firmly scheduled into your diary and life is great - nurturing and loving your baby through your care for your body.

Then your beautiful baby arrives and everyone's focus is on this little bundle of joy but no one has more focus than you, no one could care more about doing the right thing for them than you and so you continue to devour books, ask questions, fret over the right things or the wrong things, worry if they are sleeping too much, eating too little or haven't poo'ed for two days.  Your baby is loved, nurtured and cared for in every way you see possible.  

The difference is now your baby is outside of your body, you don't have the determination, drive or energy to focus on you any more.  There is no time when this little person is so demanding and so important.  But what you forget is that the body that once carried this little baby internally is now the lifeline that carries them externally.  Your whole life is centered around them and will continue to be for the next 18-20 (or more!!) years in one way or another.  You are the foundation by which they will learn life, be nurtured and grow into this world.  Your health and wellbeing has NEVER been so important.

Many new mothers I meet are doing the most physical job they have EVER done in the most physically de- conditioned state they have ever been in.  Add to this tiredness, being constantly on call and not managing to eat before lunch time and you have a recipe for disaster. 

I truly believe there has never been a better time to teach mothers how important it is to look after themselves, to be fit, healthy and strong for the benefit of their children.  I work with mums on a daily basis and I know that when they change their outlook and attitude to focus on living a healthier and more active life their children benefit hugely.  From new mums who need to create a circle of energy creates energy and to allow themselves to once again nurture and look after themselves through regular exercise, healthy eating and time for themselves to mums with toddlers or older children who see huge improvements in behavior by changing their child's diet along with their own.

You, mum, are the building block of your family, your influence is second to non and by remembering to fit your own oxygen mask first your whole family will reap the rewards.  

Happy, Healthy Mummy = Happy, Healthy Family

Introducing BAKE School - Special Introductory Workshops for mums

I LOVE making sure my children are eating healthy foods and that I know what is going into them but sometimes it can be challenging to know what to make and we just need inspiration.

I would like to introduce to you Anneka Manning, author, food writer and publisher who is also traveling my KPI - 30 week journey with me (for those that I have mentioned that to).  Anneka will be putting on some more healthy food workshops for Body Beyond Baby mums but here is your chance to get along to one of her first and more intimate events as she welcomes you into her home.

 

Healthy Kids Lunch Boxes

Tuesday 23rd October 2012, 9.30-11.30am

Come and join Anneka Manning, author, food writer and publisher, at one of these special introductory BAKE School Workshops.

Learn to bake a collection of easy-to-make recipes that your kids will love........with no nasty preservatives or additives. This 2-hour workshop with Anneka will teach you what to look out for when purchasing snacks for your kids (with some insightful information from Chrissy Freer , nutritionist and author of Supergrains which will be published in February 2013), compare store-bought muffins, muesli bars, biscuits and cakes with the home-baked versions, and show you how to fill your kids lunch boxes with plenty of healthy, easy-to-make alternatives.

Tickets are just $50 and you can book your spot here

http://www.eventbrite.com.au/event/4542091518

Don't forget to forward this link and info on to your mummy friends that might want to join you and take away goodies of their own

I hope you enjoy your BAKE School experience - I know you will love it.....Anneka will share her wealth of knowledge and give away useful and delicious baking secrets that will benefit both you and your kids.

About Anneka Manning

Anneka Manning has spent more than 22 years in for food print media as an author, food editor, writer, consultant and publisher. She has worked for a vast range of leading food publications and publishing companies in Australia such as Australian Gourmet Traveller, VOGUE Entertaining + Travel, australian good taste (which she helped launch and make one of Australia’s leading food magazines), Murdoch Books, The Australian Women’s Weekly, Sunday Life and Good Living (Sydney Morning Herald). 

In addition Anneka has complied and written a number of successful, award-winning books, including good food and more good food (Text publishing), and The Low GI Family Cookbook. Mastering the Art of Baking and Mastering the Art of Poultry, Meat & Game (Murdoch Books) are her latest books, published this year.

Anneka believes that the best food is simple food done well, relying on sound basics, simple techniques and good ingredients.

Her food reflects the way she cooks, eats and entertains in her busy life. It is simple food – realistic, yet inspiring.

'Anneka Manning inspires us with her fresh, innovative and achievable recipes. She has brought brightness and variety to many Australian kitchens and confidence to try new foods. Anneka brings back the fun in cooking.' 

Madeleine Randall, ABC Radio

'Intelligent, friendly and guaranteed to drive even half-hearted cooks into the kitchen.' 

The Sydney Morning Herald.

Asparagus, Snow Pea and Sugar Snap Salad

This is a vibrant spring salad to serve with your favourite piece of fish, chicken or beef

1 bunch asparagus
250g snow peas
250g sugar snap peas
½ bunch mint

Dressing
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 clove garlic crushed
Salt and pepper



•    Blanch asparagus in boiling water for 2min
•    Add snow peas and sugar snaps and blanch for another minute
•    Drain vegies and place in a bowl of iced water to stop cooking
•    Mix olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper to make a dressing
•    Place drained vegies on a serving plate
•    Add roughly torn mint leaves
•    Drizzle with dressing
•    Serve with your favourite piece of fish, chicken or beef