2 weeks since my last blog - and four months into the process of saving $3,000. So far I have saved $1657.20 - and there's been a few things I havent really kept a tab on - so I'll try to catch up on my savings record today!
Savings tip:
#51 - Savings from routinely cutting softdrinks - or buying slabs of cans instead of from takeaway shops - I think I have saved about $15 a week - so thats $60 over the last month - I kid you not!
#52 - Here's a beauty - Brooke was getting swimming lessons, and due to a whole range of issues she really isnt progressing. So we will cut those lessons until the summer, and just go swimming with mummy. No as it turns out my work arrangements get me into a pretty awesome family friendly aquatic centre for nix, and Brooke at 3 costs me $1.60. Now if I can just wean her off the expectation that going there means a serve of hot chips and a milkshake, I'll be saving $13.40 each and every week. I usually sign up for a 10 week block, so in the next 10 weeks I'll save $134.00!! Sweet!
#53 Bakery bipass - still managing to only buy bread 2-3 times a week with no extra lunch box snacks, and I am cooking regularly to replace bread. I reacon I am still saving about $30 a week, $60 over the last 2 weeks!
#54 - my lovely neice who is training to be a beautician did my eyebrows, I paid a reduced rate saving me about $7, I caught up with my neice, and gave her some experience in dealing with really hairy eyebrows (men go and see her for a full body wax if that's your thing - tell her I sent you :))
#55 - have been missing my bikrum classes due to an injury - every class I miss saves $16, and I've saved 3 over the last week - $48.
So the balance of savings was $1657.20, and this fortnight I saved $309 = $1966.20!!!
Thursday 31 May 2012
Saturday 26 May 2012
How to save your own pumpkin seed
Here's a photo of some pumpkin seeds I am saving from a pumpkin I bought from the farmers market. I've removed the bulk of the pumpkin flesh, discarded any seeds that aren't plump or feeling full of potential! They are now covered with more absorbing paper and will sit on a sunny window sill for about a week. Any that start to mould will be thrown out. After that I'll bag them up, date and name the (golden nuggets I believe) and store them somewhere dry and dark.
Seeds sure are going up in price - and I love pumpkin but only have space for 1 or 2 plants so I am always throwing seeds out that become years old before they are used.
Friday 25 May 2012
Jo's incredibly delicious pumpkin soup
I love cooking soup and I'm good at it - its a shame that no-one appreciates it in this house - still . . . sometimes its the journey that brings the most pleasure!
Look out for the secret ingrediant
1 home grown leek - chopped
teas each ginger, garlic, lemon grass
lightly fry
add 2 cups of water (or so)
chuck in some pumpkin - it should be covered by water - thats roughly 1 kilo before you've seeded and skinned it
I am using the remainder of a golden nugget, and and 1/2 kilo of sweet grey pumpkin
lightly boil for half hour or until mashable
Now, here's the secret ingrediant
red curry paste - add a teas or two, or three
This will taste amazing - AMAZING
so mash it, add cream if you must, I prefer plain yoghurt plopped on top a its is a nice contrast to the heat.
ENJOY - and like all secrets that are worth sharing, share!!
Look out for the secret ingrediant
1 home grown leek - chopped
teas each ginger, garlic, lemon grass
lightly fry
add 2 cups of water (or so)
chuck in some pumpkin - it should be covered by water - thats roughly 1 kilo before you've seeded and skinned it
I am using the remainder of a golden nugget, and and 1/2 kilo of sweet grey pumpkin
lightly boil for half hour or until mashable
Now, here's the secret ingrediant
red curry paste - add a teas or two, or three
This will taste amazing - AMAZING
so mash it, add cream if you must, I prefer plain yoghurt plopped on top a its is a nice contrast to the heat.
ENJOY - and like all secrets that are worth sharing, share!!
Kids sick of sandwiches? Here's 5 alternatives
My kids are sick of sandwiches and I am not paying out for expensive alternatives - here's 5 cheap favorites of kids aged 3-11
1: Pizza bread - make an amount of pizza dough, stretch it out and add all the usual things - cut it up and it usually does 2-3 days x 3 kids. My kids particularly love it simple - ham, pineapple and cheese
2: cheese and bacon rolls - either using bread or pizza dough - makes between 9-12 little rolls - sprinkle with cheese and bacon or ham - this rarely lasts longer than 2 days as the kids gobble them up!
3: pikelets - here's my recipe 2 eggs, 1 cup of milk mixed together, add 1/2 cup plain flour and 1/2 cup wholemeal flour - mix up and cook - max 2 days - the sooner they ar eaten the better otherwise they tend to get a bit hard - perhaps a little baking powder might lighten them up - I will try and get back to you on that
4: scrolls - again - stretch out the trusty pizza dough - lather it with whatever, roll it up like one big sausage, let it rise again, and cut it into 2.5 cm scrolls, lay them flat and let them rise and cook. Inside I have used:
5: wraps - fill with what ever they like, roll it up and cut like sushi, or dont cut it - its up to you . Will it fall to pieces if you cut it up too much?? That's all there is to it. Things that are good as wraps are mountain bread, burrito wraps, anything flat really, but my personal favorite is rolling out a piece of bread and filling it with cheese, ham, mayo, lettuce and cutting it up like sushi - and that is probably a better sandwhich than they would usully eat!
Happy lunch time :)
1: Pizza bread - make an amount of pizza dough, stretch it out and add all the usual things - cut it up and it usually does 2-3 days x 3 kids. My kids particularly love it simple - ham, pineapple and cheese
2: cheese and bacon rolls - either using bread or pizza dough - makes between 9-12 little rolls - sprinkle with cheese and bacon or ham - this rarely lasts longer than 2 days as the kids gobble them up!
3: pikelets - here's my recipe 2 eggs, 1 cup of milk mixed together, add 1/2 cup plain flour and 1/2 cup wholemeal flour - mix up and cook - max 2 days - the sooner they ar eaten the better otherwise they tend to get a bit hard - perhaps a little baking powder might lighten them up - I will try and get back to you on that
4: scrolls - again - stretch out the trusty pizza dough - lather it with whatever, roll it up like one big sausage, let it rise again, and cut it into 2.5 cm scrolls, lay them flat and let them rise and cook. Inside I have used:
- vegemite or promote and cheese,
- nutella,
- garlic with tomato paste and cheese and you can also add a little ham
5: wraps - fill with what ever they like, roll it up and cut like sushi, or dont cut it - its up to you . Will it fall to pieces if you cut it up too much?? That's all there is to it. Things that are good as wraps are mountain bread, burrito wraps, anything flat really, but my personal favorite is rolling out a piece of bread and filling it with cheese, ham, mayo, lettuce and cutting it up like sushi - and that is probably a better sandwhich than they would usully eat!
Happy lunch time :)
Friday 18 May 2012
French Toast - 4 ways
Plenty of eggs in our house and here's our favorite Sat morning breakfast. We change it from time to time, just for fun!
#1 Basic French toast
You need 2 eggs, a little milk and butter, spray oil, a little sugar
3-4 slices of bread
2 eggs, mixed up with a little milk in a flat based container
Soak bread in it - I usually cut each slice into 2
fry gently in butter, a little oil (a spray) first in the pan reduces the chance of butter burning
turn when brown - my kids always reject soggy french toast, so fry it on a fairly hot hotplate
sprinkle with a little sugar, it MUST BE EATEN HOT!
#2 Basic French toast recipe - draped in
Cheese!! So you follow the basic recipe, and just before you pop it in the frypan drape it over cheese - parmeson is perfect, and then fry it - it is supurbly cruchy and a little salty. Kids love it!
#3 Basic French Toast with a twist
add a half teaspoon of vanilla - it really does add something to the flavour!
#4 French toast - with a Brazilian twist
We've enjoyed the company of many Brazilian students over the years - one gave us a brazilian cookbook and this is an Aussie take on Brazilian recipe
Use the basic recipe, but add more milk to the eggs, like about 1/4-1/2 a cup. Also use more butter - its a real fry up.
Put cheese between two slices of bread and squash it together - what kind of cheese? Something that will melt nicely - I used a basic coon.
So now you have essentially a squashed cheese sandwhich - cut it into quarters, soak in the milky egg mix, and fry in butter. Its a heart attach waiting to happen, but for a treat, like when camping - its pretty YUM!
#1 Basic French toast
You need 2 eggs, a little milk and butter, spray oil, a little sugar
3-4 slices of bread
2 eggs, mixed up with a little milk in a flat based container
Soak bread in it - I usually cut each slice into 2
fry gently in butter, a little oil (a spray) first in the pan reduces the chance of butter burning
turn when brown - my kids always reject soggy french toast, so fry it on a fairly hot hotplate
sprinkle with a little sugar, it MUST BE EATEN HOT!
#2 Basic French toast recipe - draped in
Cheese!! So you follow the basic recipe, and just before you pop it in the frypan drape it over cheese - parmeson is perfect, and then fry it - it is supurbly cruchy and a little salty. Kids love it!
#3 Basic French Toast with a twist
add a half teaspoon of vanilla - it really does add something to the flavour!
#4 French toast - with a Brazilian twist
We've enjoyed the company of many Brazilian students over the years - one gave us a brazilian cookbook and this is an Aussie take on Brazilian recipe
Use the basic recipe, but add more milk to the eggs, like about 1/4-1/2 a cup. Also use more butter - its a real fry up.
Put cheese between two slices of bread and squash it together - what kind of cheese? Something that will melt nicely - I used a basic coon.
So now you have essentially a squashed cheese sandwhich - cut it into quarters, soak in the milky egg mix, and fry in butter. Its a heart attach waiting to happen, but for a treat, like when camping - its pretty YUM!
Enormous egg layed on our patch!
May 2012
This month 1 of our free range chooks layed an enormous egg - 104 grams. When I googled around we were looking like being close to a world record, with 107 grams being the largest I found. But on closer investigation a chook layed a 170 gram egg - I cant even imagine the size of that! A week later a tiny 52 gram egg was layed - I wonder if that was from the same chook.
Here is a picture of e ggs, the 52 gram, a regular egg in the middle and the 104 gram egg. Notice the white on the middle egg? This chook needs some shell grit in her diet - they all do - the egg shells are very thin - my daughter cried the other day because one broke in her hand. You can buy shell grit or you can get it at the beach - what is shell grit? It's ground up shells - so you might find it at beachers with large waves and rocks - so the shells are pounded into grit - but sometimes its the really calm beaches - less sandy, but typically gritty. I'm off to find some today.
Below is the video of the large egg - eaten on mothers day - like Nanny said - its a double yolker!
This month 1 of our free range chooks layed an enormous egg - 104 grams. When I googled around we were looking like being close to a world record, with 107 grams being the largest I found. But on closer investigation a chook layed a 170 gram egg - I cant even imagine the size of that! A week later a tiny 52 gram egg was layed - I wonder if that was from the same chook.
Below is the video of the large egg - eaten on mothers day - like Nanny said - its a double yolker!
How to save $3,000 - 3rd month - tips 45-50
Here she is -almost 3 months after her surgery to remove a cancer riddled leg - doesnt she look well. Bailey is the reason for the need to save $$, her surgery was expensive but fortunately we had the money as we were about to renovate the bathroom. I've pretty much given up on the idea of a new bathroom before xmas - other things keep getting in the way - but I made a pledge to claw back that $3,000 and now I'm more than half way there. And here is my reason - I think she is worth it!
Last time I posted an amount I had saved $1,485.20! The rules are life still has to be fun, savings have to be time effective, and sustainable, in that I am changing habits of being very free with our spare $$, to become a lot more thoughtful and thrifty. So, for the last 2 weeks, what have I done thats saved??
46: Last week we bought takeaway on the Friday night for a treat, and it was really enjoyed by the family. It was a treat rather than a regular Friday night have to have. This week - takeaway is off the menu - $30 saved.
47: Last weekend was Mothers Day and the mothers of the family were cooked for by the men. We had a lovely roast and there were some leftovers - I took the leftover roast chicken to make a stock, but found there so much extra meat it was indeed a whole extra meal. A family meal of meat generally costs us an average of $10. This was meat that for convenience sake was going to the bin. Shameful.
48: Sold some eggs, used pre-purchased block of fizzy to feed fizzy addiction - rather than paying 3 times as much in the shops, bypassed the bakery - Approx $70 over 2 weeks
49: Family offered to take me to breakfast for mothers day - stayed home instead - saved $50 easily
50: Early pickups from chldcare - as mentioned before i discovered that if i picked my kids up at 4.59, I saved about $12 instead of picking them up at 5.01!!
So over the last 2 weeks I reacon I've saved around $172 - this brings my savings to $1,657.20.
Last time I posted an amount I had saved $1,485.20! The rules are life still has to be fun, savings have to be time effective, and sustainable, in that I am changing habits of being very free with our spare $$, to become a lot more thoughtful and thrifty. So, for the last 2 weeks, what have I done thats saved??
46: Last week we bought takeaway on the Friday night for a treat, and it was really enjoyed by the family. It was a treat rather than a regular Friday night have to have. This week - takeaway is off the menu - $30 saved.
47: Last weekend was Mothers Day and the mothers of the family were cooked for by the men. We had a lovely roast and there were some leftovers - I took the leftover roast chicken to make a stock, but found there so much extra meat it was indeed a whole extra meal. A family meal of meat generally costs us an average of $10. This was meat that for convenience sake was going to the bin. Shameful.
48: Sold some eggs, used pre-purchased block of fizzy to feed fizzy addiction - rather than paying 3 times as much in the shops, bypassed the bakery - Approx $70 over 2 weeks
49: Family offered to take me to breakfast for mothers day - stayed home instead - saved $50 easily
50: Early pickups from chldcare - as mentioned before i discovered that if i picked my kids up at 4.59, I saved about $12 instead of picking them up at 5.01!!
So over the last 2 weeks I reacon I've saved around $172 - this brings my savings to $1,657.20.
6 easy high protein snacks - for on the go people!
If you are trying to increase your protein, for whatever reason try these. I dont have much of a sweet tooth, so these examples are savoury in nature. Protein is not the only nutrient to be looking at - consider fat content and carb's as well - as well as salt content - but these are my 6 favourite
1: CHIC NUTS by Partnerfoods (Bought at Woolworths) 10.5 grams of protein / 50 grams - yummy and crunchy chickpeas - lightly salty
2: PUMPIN CRUNCH - by Mrs May's naturals - 9 grams of protein / serving
3: 1 EGG - 6 grams / egg or if it is my 104 gram egg (produced from my free range chook last week) - a fair bit more than 6 grams! I keep a few boiled ready to eat in the fridge at all times!
4: MILK - around 8 grams / cup of milk - you decide if you want low fat, or want to add something sweet
5: BAKED BEANS - 130 grams (which is a very small can) has over 6 grams - for a meal you'd probably want 2!!
6: YOGHURT - check the label but 1 cup has between 8-12 grams
Happy eating! Enjoy :)
1: CHIC NUTS by Partnerfoods (Bought at Woolworths) 10.5 grams of protein / 50 grams - yummy and crunchy chickpeas - lightly salty
2: PUMPIN CRUNCH - by Mrs May's naturals - 9 grams of protein / serving
3: 1 EGG - 6 grams / egg or if it is my 104 gram egg (produced from my free range chook last week) - a fair bit more than 6 grams! I keep a few boiled ready to eat in the fridge at all times!
4: MILK - around 8 grams / cup of milk - you decide if you want low fat, or want to add something sweet
5: BAKED BEANS - 130 grams (which is a very small can) has over 6 grams - for a meal you'd probably want 2!!
6: YOGHURT - check the label but 1 cup has between 8-12 grams
Happy eating! Enjoy :)
Sunday 13 May 2012
5 money saving tips that you can live with . . . How to save $3,000 . . . .
It's been an ongoing blog, and I know many of you have enjoyed reading my strategies for saving money - even those in the USA, Germany and Russia (welcome new readers). It's a common need - world wide - so this blog isnt so much about how much I saved, because it is getting harder to put an amount to this each week. Why is that? Because we have changed our lifestyle and things that were savings, we just dont do anymore.
1: I rarely buy takeaway drinks now (not never, but rarely). Instead I buy boxes of canned drinks for when i want something fizzy, otherwise its water
2: Bypass the bakery / supermarket - I was spending around $40 a week but now I bake scrolls for the kids lunches on a sunday, or pizza bread, or ham and cheese rolls - the kids prefer it to sandwhiches and I dont get bullied into buying a whole load of extra. Then there is the other way of looking at it - my husband only buys bakery bread - he says it saves money because you go in, buy your loaf of bread and bypass the supermarket - and dont get side tracked into buying something you didnt intend to! (He doesnt take the kids). We have both discovered a way to save!
3: Extend your village. Childcare is a necessary part of a busy family's life - but often friends will pick up your kids if you have a late meeting - in fact they are happy too! And this is free, and the kids get a play date, and if you are lucky you get to chat to a friend too.
4: Takeaway on a Friday night is a treat. Sure youre tired, we all are - but takeaways are generally pretty low nutritionally and hit the hip pocket hard. I think we have had takeaways on a Friday twice since the cat needed her surgery - no one misses it, no one expects it (well the kids took a little weaning). It is a real treat now.
5: Buy later. With all spending - can you do it tomorrow, next week, next month, even next financial year - delay what you can and postpone the spending. Empty the cupboards, make do with what you have.
Good luck folks! Feel free to add strategies that have saved you money :)
1: I rarely buy takeaway drinks now (not never, but rarely). Instead I buy boxes of canned drinks for when i want something fizzy, otherwise its water
2: Bypass the bakery / supermarket - I was spending around $40 a week but now I bake scrolls for the kids lunches on a sunday, or pizza bread, or ham and cheese rolls - the kids prefer it to sandwhiches and I dont get bullied into buying a whole load of extra. Then there is the other way of looking at it - my husband only buys bakery bread - he says it saves money because you go in, buy your loaf of bread and bypass the supermarket - and dont get side tracked into buying something you didnt intend to! (He doesnt take the kids). We have both discovered a way to save!
3: Extend your village. Childcare is a necessary part of a busy family's life - but often friends will pick up your kids if you have a late meeting - in fact they are happy too! And this is free, and the kids get a play date, and if you are lucky you get to chat to a friend too.
4: Takeaway on a Friday night is a treat. Sure youre tired, we all are - but takeaways are generally pretty low nutritionally and hit the hip pocket hard. I think we have had takeaways on a Friday twice since the cat needed her surgery - no one misses it, no one expects it (well the kids took a little weaning). It is a real treat now.
5: Buy later. With all spending - can you do it tomorrow, next week, next month, even next financial year - delay what you can and postpone the spending. Empty the cupboards, make do with what you have.
Good luck folks! Feel free to add strategies that have saved you money :)
Tuesday 8 May 2012
5 Essential Autumn jobs in the garden
Hardly anything is producing food for me at the moment, but with the colder nights and days and a healthy dose of rain the garden is in need of a bit of a clean up. Its an easy job with warm days and moist soil. We are getting ready for the dormant months.
Job 1 - peas are up and doing well - its the first time in this eastward facing garden so if they werent doing well I'd dig them in at some point as 'green manure'. They needed staking so I've used some old plastic covered wire, and you will see in the photo, a large collection of oven racks from our oven that's heading to the tip
Job 3 - harvest - unexpectedly whilst weeding I found 2 cumcumbers - both small but they were eaten today and they were so juicy! I wish I'd left them there another week - with the rain they'd have doubled in size. Tomatoes can be bought inside even if green - dont leave them on a hot window sill or they will cook. Mum used to say put a banana in a paper bag with an unripe tomato and it will help it ripen - something to do with the acids in the banana skin - apparently this technique has merit! You can pull the tomato plant and all out of the ground and hang it in the garage - most will ripen this way. Pumpkins should be left outside on a bench to dry and harden. Try not to pull the stalk off - they are more likely to rot without it.
Job 4 - if you cant make a compost heap because you've got too much carbon like material I usually store it somewhere until I have anough manure to make it hot enough to break down. I currently have 3 carbon storage areas
I will post a hot manure formula in a future post!
Thursday 3 May 2012
Saving, saving, saving - Half way to my goal of saving $3,000
Its been a few weeks since my last blog on how to save $3,000 - but despite away for a conference I did manage to keep the spending down. I usually take the chance when I'm away to splash out a bit and eat somewhere fancy - but quite often cheap and cheerful with good company is just the ticket. I attended the 2012 FILEX Fitness Convention at Darling Harbour - not a cheap part of town, and with lectures running back to back its tempting to just buy at the portable cafe stations dotted around the place and pay for the convenience. So how did I save $$ at such a venue - just a bit of planning really.
So far I've saved $1,262 - just to remind us . . . .
Tip #41 - take your portable hot drink cup - a cup of herbal tea in a disposible cup cost around $4.50. I made mine at the hotel before leaving - so over 3 days saved around $13.50
Tip #42 - stock up on snacks, fruit, muslea bars, healthy snacks that you know you'll need and wont be able to find at the portable cafe stations. I spent about $5 on fruit, I bought some dried fruit and nuts from home, and this covered morning and afternoon tea. I ate better and saved $$. I even bought my beloved V so I wouldnt have to seek it out between lectures. I reacon I saved bucket loads here - at least $25 each day - so $75 over 3 days
Tip#43 - cheap and cheerful for tea - good company - enjoyed eating outside - that is treat enough. 2 pub meals and one chinese banquet (paid for by my buddies Kel and Kel as it was my birthday). I spent a total of $50 on eating at night - over 3 nights - I think I spent $50 a night last year - I didnt drink as much alcohol- so I am confident to say I saved $100!
Tip #44 - Bought breakfast muslea and yoghurt and brought grains from home to add to it - and a little of the fruit from the market - so instead of buying breakfast every morning for $10, $10 covered the lot. I probably ate better too - it was all high in fibre and that's something I really cant do without! Saved $20.
Tip #45 - nothing new here - bakery bipass, sold some eggs (even got a $1 tip because my eggs are so good!) avoided buying takeaway drinks (at takeaways anyway) Gotta admit I was missing my coke so i bought a carton of cans - its way cheaper than takeaway and I drink less of it as i only have 1 can a day. Oh and my mum looked after Brooke when I was away so that saved in childcare costs - but the boys went in afterschool care - i think the net gain was about $15. Total saving for this lot is around $50 over the last week
Did have to buy an oven. Its worthy of discussion because we made some decisions, changed our mind, changed it back again, talked, shopped around, and bought something quite different to what we intended. We were thinking you only buy an oven every decade or 2 its a big purchase, the hot plate unit is also almost done - so we will get a package and ultimately save - buy good stuff - one visit from a sparky to install it . . . . Then a friend said go for second hand parts. NUTS. This really was throwing good money after bad - hardly any feature worked.
I'm not counting these savings to the tally but here's our rationale. To get a really good oven (pylometric) and hot plate elements we were looking at around $3,000 (familiar figure coincidentally). We'd need finance for it. But it would be a one off purchase and we could do a deal. All the deals included rangehoods - which we did not need or want to sell on (or as my father would have done - build a shack around it). This isnt what we did. We bought an oven with excellent energy efficiency, it looks good, it doesnt have pylometric feature but we own it out right and it cooks like a dream, the light works, the timer works, I'm happy with it. Sometimes we think we need something, and it makes sense to pay more . . . . but it is something you just dont need right now.
Total savings this last week and this I suppose $$223.50 + $1,262 = $1,485.2
LETS CALL THAT HALF WAY THERE!!
So far I've saved $1,262 - just to remind us . . . .
Tip #41 - take your portable hot drink cup - a cup of herbal tea in a disposible cup cost around $4.50. I made mine at the hotel before leaving - so over 3 days saved around $13.50
Tip #42 - stock up on snacks, fruit, muslea bars, healthy snacks that you know you'll need and wont be able to find at the portable cafe stations. I spent about $5 on fruit, I bought some dried fruit and nuts from home, and this covered morning and afternoon tea. I ate better and saved $$. I even bought my beloved V so I wouldnt have to seek it out between lectures. I reacon I saved bucket loads here - at least $25 each day - so $75 over 3 days
Tip#43 - cheap and cheerful for tea - good company - enjoyed eating outside - that is treat enough. 2 pub meals and one chinese banquet (paid for by my buddies Kel and Kel as it was my birthday). I spent a total of $50 on eating at night - over 3 nights - I think I spent $50 a night last year - I didnt drink as much alcohol- so I am confident to say I saved $100!
Tip #44 - Bought breakfast muslea and yoghurt and brought grains from home to add to it - and a little of the fruit from the market - so instead of buying breakfast every morning for $10, $10 covered the lot. I probably ate better too - it was all high in fibre and that's something I really cant do without! Saved $20.
Tip #45 - nothing new here - bakery bipass, sold some eggs (even got a $1 tip because my eggs are so good!) avoided buying takeaway drinks (at takeaways anyway) Gotta admit I was missing my coke so i bought a carton of cans - its way cheaper than takeaway and I drink less of it as i only have 1 can a day. Oh and my mum looked after Brooke when I was away so that saved in childcare costs - but the boys went in afterschool care - i think the net gain was about $15. Total saving for this lot is around $50 over the last week
Did have to buy an oven. Its worthy of discussion because we made some decisions, changed our mind, changed it back again, talked, shopped around, and bought something quite different to what we intended. We were thinking you only buy an oven every decade or 2 its a big purchase, the hot plate unit is also almost done - so we will get a package and ultimately save - buy good stuff - one visit from a sparky to install it . . . . Then a friend said go for second hand parts. NUTS. This really was throwing good money after bad - hardly any feature worked.
I'm not counting these savings to the tally but here's our rationale. To get a really good oven (pylometric) and hot plate elements we were looking at around $3,000 (familiar figure coincidentally). We'd need finance for it. But it would be a one off purchase and we could do a deal. All the deals included rangehoods - which we did not need or want to sell on (or as my father would have done - build a shack around it). This isnt what we did. We bought an oven with excellent energy efficiency, it looks good, it doesnt have pylometric feature but we own it out right and it cooks like a dream, the light works, the timer works, I'm happy with it. Sometimes we think we need something, and it makes sense to pay more . . . . but it is something you just dont need right now.
Total savings this last week and this I suppose $$223.50 + $1,262 = $1,485.2
LETS CALL THAT HALF WAY THERE!!
Lessons Learned from FILEX Fitness convention
Well the annual FILEX conference has been and gone and much was learned! Professionally I had a lot of questions I wanted answered. Personally I discovered a few truths that were unexpected. Here's a summary of the top 10 things:
#1: the fitness industry runs on a lot of myths - what to eat, how to train, the importance of rest - unfortunately the truth is not that sexy, there is no magic, it comes down to a few basic facts - if you want to lose weight, eat less, exercise more. There are a few exceptions to basic common sense eat less move more - but basically that's it.
#2: there are some very strong characters in the fitness industry. Some of them are celebrities. And their approach is not always helpful - it perpetuates the myths
#3: the difference between self confessed couch potatoes that are lean, and self confessed couch potatoes that are obese is 2 1/2 hours of movement EVERY day
#4: High intensity training only needs to be carried out 3 times a week for maximum benefit
#5: I now have the formula for calculating after burn (the calories you burn once the workout is over, above what you normally would, just because you did a taining session)
#6: the body does not care what combinations of food you eat - for example adding lemon does not break down fats better, the body quite simply takes the nutrients from the food and uses them
#7: when seniors move in time to music their brains work better, then and afterwards
#8: the fitness industry really has to promote weight maintenance - not just weight loss - and I see that in the people that attend my gym - their weight and body composition really doesnt change much "consistent physical activity is the BEST predictor of sustained weight management after weight loss"
#9: lie down and lift one leg slightly - the order of muscle recruitment should be glutes, hamstrings, quadratus lumborum - however that is often not the case
#10: got grotty knees - the problem is often a lack of gluteal recruitment
I could go on and on - but that'll do - I learned heaps and I'd like to go back next year and learn more!
#1: the fitness industry runs on a lot of myths - what to eat, how to train, the importance of rest - unfortunately the truth is not that sexy, there is no magic, it comes down to a few basic facts - if you want to lose weight, eat less, exercise more. There are a few exceptions to basic common sense eat less move more - but basically that's it.
#2: there are some very strong characters in the fitness industry. Some of them are celebrities. And their approach is not always helpful - it perpetuates the myths
#3: the difference between self confessed couch potatoes that are lean, and self confessed couch potatoes that are obese is 2 1/2 hours of movement EVERY day
#4: High intensity training only needs to be carried out 3 times a week for maximum benefit
#5: I now have the formula for calculating after burn (the calories you burn once the workout is over, above what you normally would, just because you did a taining session)
#6: the body does not care what combinations of food you eat - for example adding lemon does not break down fats better, the body quite simply takes the nutrients from the food and uses them
#7: when seniors move in time to music their brains work better, then and afterwards
#8: the fitness industry really has to promote weight maintenance - not just weight loss - and I see that in the people that attend my gym - their weight and body composition really doesnt change much "consistent physical activity is the BEST predictor of sustained weight management after weight loss"
#9: lie down and lift one leg slightly - the order of muscle recruitment should be glutes, hamstrings, quadratus lumborum - however that is often not the case
#10: got grotty knees - the problem is often a lack of gluteal recruitment
I could go on and on - but that'll do - I learned heaps and I'd like to go back next year and learn more!
Wednesday 2 May 2012
Post Natal Exercise Classes - 4 options
Post Natal Exercise Classes
: activesolutions@netspace.net.au
Delivered by Jo Cordell-Cooper
Fully qualified, registered, insured
We will work on
· core and pelvis stability
· Pelvic floor muscles (and referral on when required)
· Postural awareness and flexibility
· Improving fitness generally
Our program is deep and restorative and you now have 4 options available to you.
· Personal training 1 on 1 in your home
· Small Group Personal Training (home)
· 6 sessions at Hobart Aquatic Centre (includes childcare)
· 6 sessions Lindisfarne Community Centre - bring baby
Frequently asked questions:
How much does it cost?
One on one PT - Provided you live in the greater Hobart area 60 minute sessions cost $65, and this includes a home program.
Small Group PT – max 4 – costs between $25 – $40 per session. Meet at a friend’s house and share the cost of personalised training – each participant receives a program. Sessions may take a little longer, depending on numbers.
6 sessions at Hobart Aquatic Centre - $132 includes childcare (even if you have more than one child). Sessions take place at 11.30 Mondays and are run periodically.
6 sessions at Lindisfarne Community Centre – 37a Lincoln St. 6 sessions cost $99, plus $30-$40 for a swiss ball. If you already own a swiss ball, its just $99. Bring a towel and yoga mat if you have one.
What is the difference in the 4 options?
· The benefit of a one on one PT session is that I come to you at a time that suits you are your baby. The program will be tailored to meet your needs. Being a 1 on 1 service it is very personal and private – ask questions at any time. Be educated, empowered, and independent.
· The small group PT is similar in that you have the chance to talk, ask questions, and ensure that your program is precisely what you body requires.
· The 6 session pass at the Hobart Aquatic Centre is ideal for mums with multiple children, or want to focus on their workout without interruption. Perhaps this is your only ‘timeout’, it’s important to prioritise your own health. The greatest gift you can give your baby is a healthy mum. Child carer’s are qualified and there are strict limits to this intake – bookings are essential.
· The 6 session pass at Lindisfarne Community Centre is very similar to the Hobart Aquatic Centre class in terms of content. However, you are welcome to bring your baby (but not other young children). You will also need to bring a swiss exercise ball, and a towel and yoga mat. Orders are taken a week before the class starts if you need to buy one. They cost between $30-$40 depending on the size. The class is 60 minutes long and at 11am on a Thursday. Classes run periodically.
How long after I have my baby can I attend?
You can come after you have been cleared by your health care professional following your 6 week check, and you feel up to it.
I had my baby 6 months ago (or longer) – are these classes still appropriate?
Absolutely. 1 in 3 women who have a baby wet themselves. Get your pelvic floor back into shape, and your core and pelvic muscles toned. If you don’t you risk incontinence and injury down the track, even if you are in other ways very fit. Sometimes we have to take a step backwards to move forwards. Sometimes we need to refer you on to a women’s health physio. That’s all part of the service.
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