I really like the idea of starting easter traditions that aren't based on chocolate. One of my favourite Christmas traditions is pyjamas and a book the night before. So it got me thinking about matching pyjamas for easter. Here in Perth we're heading into winter so buying pyjamas is more suited to Easter for us.…
Baking Emulsions
So this week I decided I would try to make Red Velvet Cupcakes. In doing so I did some research into how to get the best authentic flavour and colour. So many recipes led me to Lorann's Baking Emulsions and what a magic discovery that has been for my baking. Baking Emulsions are water-based flavourings that don't bake out like traditional alcohol-based extracts. The added bonus is that they are gluten-free & nut-free.
Copha
So I'm a little late to the party, but I want to talk about Copha. Copha is 99% coconut oil, gluten free, palm oil free and importantly remains stable in room temperature up to 36 degrees Celsius, perfect for hot Australia weather. When I think of copha my mind immediately goes to chocolate crackles. However, of late it was brought to my attention how great copha is in buttercream, and then I started researching and unearthed a huge array of recipes that use the ingredient. That being said here is a quick overview of some of the best recipes using copha I have found.
Renovating your Bathroom
There's something about a newly renovated bathroom that just makes you feel pampered and relaxed. For some reason it makes me feel even more clean and fresh. On top of that it can add massive value to your home, if done properly. It important to speak to those in the know about property before you…
Valentine’s Day
My first Valentines was a box of roses chocolates, hidden in the desk of my Year 6 classroom. I have to say that although I had not feelings to reciprocate to the lovely boy that left them there, I felt like a princess. Maybe it was the surprise of it all or that feeling that someone thought I was special enough to actually bother to buy me chocolates and wait to see my reaction.
Chinese New Year 2021 春节
Chinese New Year for 2021 falls on February 12th. Chinese New Year is also known as the 'Spring Festival" or 'Lunar New Year". Traditionally Chinese New Year celebrates the start of the Chinese Calendar. The Chinese calendar is of the lunisolar type which uses astronomical observations of the Sun's longitude as well as the Moon phases.
Reimagining Lockdown
Today with very little notice Perth W.A was sent into a 5 day lockdown. I watched as my Facebook feed filled with negative reactions, cursing and memes. School was due to start back tomorrow and parents who were looking forward to seeing their little darlings back into the care of the teachers found themselves with…
Things I find hard with a baby & a toddler
Being a mum with a baby and a toddler is a wonderful gift but it's not without its challenges. Lately I've been finding some routine things difficult and have often chosen to not do some things because the effort out weighs the benefit. Buying petrol This is something I have ranted about before but seriously…
Continue reading ➞ Things I find hard with a baby & a toddler
Back to School Tips
Getting your little and not so little ones back to school can be challenging. There are oodles of things to organise and there's a level of uncertainty about new teachers, possibly new schools which can add to the stress. Here are a few handy tips to help manage the organisation and anxiety. Backpacks Incorrectly fitted…
Easter Gifts that aren’t EGGS – Part 2
Sometime you want to make the occasion but Chocolate just isn't appropriate. This could be because you need to post the gift, or maybe its for young children and an overload of Chocolate isn't suitable. With Chocolate eggs costing up to $20 a piece some of these options are actually a lot cheaper and are more meaningful.
Easter Gifts that aren’t EGGS – Part 1
Although Easter eggs are traditional there is something special about receiving a Easter treat that is home-made. Plus we all get far too many eggs each year, having an alternative is unique and may very well suit the dietary needs of some of your recipients more than any bought egg. There are a few alternatives here to consider:
Australia Day Cupcakes
With Australia Day cupcakes these cupcake flavours are sure to capture all your Australian memories in each and every mouthful. Pavlova Cupcakes Passion Fruit Pavlova Cupcakes Iced Vovo Cupcakes Raspberry Lamington Cupcakes Golden Gaytime Cupcakes Rocky road cupcakes Beach Flag Cupcakes Mint Slice Cupcakes Lamington Cupcakes with Whipped Vanilla Buttercream Mumma Z xxx
Biscuit Cakes
AKA Cream tarts. So these are just stunning! and actually a hell of a lot easier to make then you think.
Letterboards
Letterboards are inexpensive at just $13 from Kmart they are such a versatile and there are so many cool ways you can use them.
Meat Free Monday Recipes
In David Attenborough 2021 address he called upon us all to think about ways we can create a positive impact on our planet. “It’s a crucial moment in our history. This could be a year for positive change, for ourselves, for our planet and for the wonderful creatures with which we share it. A year…
Buying Second Hand Clothes
Photo by Ksenia Chernaya on Pexels.com There are thousands of ideas about how to reduce ones personal footprint and make a positive impact on the environment around you. One such way is to rethink how we buy our clothing. Buying second hand clothes can be an absolute bargain. It allows you to buy the brands…
Pavlova
Pavlova is a tradition for my family on New Years day. It's so popular that this year I've had to make two pavlovas both with double the recipe. In short I've used 20 eggs and 1kg of sugar! Pavlova is easy enough to make you just need to follow these simple steps. Make sure your…
Celebrating New Years Eve at home
So things are a little different this year which gives us the opportunity to create new traditions and memories. I for one am all up for shaking up the way I see in the New Year. With two kids under 3 at home my days of staying up until midnight partying are on hiatus at…
A New Year does not change who you are
As we approach 2021 there seems to be an alarming resolve that next year is going to be magically better than its predecessor 2020. Now 2020 was an exception for many of us, a year of unexpected, unimaginable events that brought fear, isolation and sadness to our community. But unfortunately we must be realistic in…
TOXIC- Deodorant
Anything you put on your skin gets absorbed into your skin. The problem with this is that unlike when you eat something and it makes it way though your digestive system, when it goes on your skin it can enter your bloodstream without filtering. Chemicals we place on our skin can mess with our reproductive systems and hormones so we need to be careful what we use.
Is your baby washing in toxins? What are the safest Baby Shampoo’s & Washes?
When it comes to our precious little ones we want to be using the best products but it is extremely difficult to see through all the advertising and ingredients list to pick something that is truly safe on their delicate skin. We also get very conflicting messages, I have heard countless mums tell me how the hospital sent them home with Johnson & Johnson baby soap packs. The very company who is being sued by women who now have cancer after using their talcum powder. I'd be the first to admit that I used the Johnson & Johnson bedtime baby bath with my first until I heard of the lawsuit. I quickly changed brands to one my chemist recommended as a 'good brand', the brand was Aveeno. Advertised as gentle and calming I was none the wise that Aveeno is owned by Johnson and Johnson.
2021 Planners
I think all of us are super looking forward to next year. I've never been one for New Years resolutions but there's a certain excitement brewing in me about waving goodbye to 2020 and opening the door to 2021. However one thing that has never changed is my love for a paper diary. In fact…
Healthy Dinner Ideas Part One
Tahini Honey Stir-Fry Healthy Mini-Meatloafs Lemongrass & Coconut Chicken Mango Chicken Curry
How much ‘Sentimental Stuff’ do you hoard?
Preparing to move house has led to the dreaded pre-move chuck out. I'm talking the going through every cupboard, box, wardrobe item and defending each items existence to your partner lol. But really it is quite comical standing their holding the dress you wore on your eldest sons baby shower and arguing that you should cart this item around to whoever ye shall live for the next 30 years just in case he ever asks if you still have it, that and the sporting trophy you won as little league when your were 10, the yearbook from every year of high school, and that photo frame that your aunt gave you two Christmas's ago tucked away to bring out when she comes over. It has become beyond ridiculous the stuff we collect. How often do we actually look at this stuff, we cling onto them almost as through they were insurance proving that the memories they conjur up really are important to us or something.
Healthy Flavoured Rice
Rice is a staple side in our household. As curry and stir-fry lovers I'd say I cook rice 4-5 times per week. However, plain rice can get a little bland so here are four of my tried and tested favourite flavoured rice alternatives- Garlic, Kaffir Lime, Coconut, Kimchi.
How to Start a Mummy Blog- Part 1- the first month
WordPress I spent a lot of time planning my blog before I launched it. It wrote articles, threw around names, and researched the designs of other blogs. I considered the type of content I would be interested in, and checked out other blogs that offered similar topics. I wrote enough enough content to post everyday…
Continue reading ➞ How to Start a Mummy Blog- Part 1- the first month
Stay at home Mumma seeking to work from home… how hard can it be?
In the great quest to gain financial freedom and work for yourself you may find you’ve ended up spending money and time instead.
Teen Girl Gift ideas 2020
Shopping for teen girls can be hard. Here's a few ideas picked by my teen nieces to help you out.
Mumma Z’s top knot hair care
Let's be honest my hair lives in a mum bun. The last time it was straightened was for my birthday and even then by the end of the day it was tied up on the top of my head. So as you can imagine my hair care routine is very simple. I get it dyed…
Buying a house- brought to you with GIFS
So as some of you may know I am currently searching for a house. The whole process is certainly not what I thought it would be like. To keep myself sane I've chosen to see the funny side of it all and I hope you all appreciate my experience so far as depicted in GIFS.…
10 Easter Cocktails for 2021
Chocolate Cocktails Easter Egg Mudslide Shots Decadent Chocolate Martini Hot cross bun Bailey's cocktail Baileys and cream Easter egg cocktail Creme egg martini What's Up Doc The Sweet Easter Bunny Cocktail Recipe Easter Peeps Gin Rickey Jelly Bean Martini Easter Midnight Kiss Cocktail Non-Chocolate Cocktails Cheers Mumma Z xxx
Risk Taking
Photo by Artem Beliaikin on Pexels.com This year we took a risk. We sold our house without having bought a new one. We packed up all our belongings and stored them at families and friends and moved in with my parents with our 2.5 year old and 6 months old. All the while living with…