Mama Burnout and a Startling Confession…

I don’t make my own Easter Eggs.

There.  I’ve said it.  I don’t make my own chocolate and I don’t make my own Hot Cross Buns but that is not to say that I do not indulge in both treats, albeit good quality ones, generously, at this time of year.

There has been a transition happening in my life.  I can feel that something has shifted.  Things have improved.  I’m feeling healthier, I have more energy.  My skin is clear, my mood is calm.  I’m moving more slowly, yet with intention.  I have time to stop, to think.

How have I achieved this new state of being?

Is there a book to read? A new diet to follow?  Is it daily meditation practice, more yoga?  Green smoothies perhaps?

No.

Although, I’m sure all of those things have helped.

What I can attribute this metamorphose from burnt out, drained, ill health affected, going through the motions  mama to relaxed, healthy, strong, kind and confident mama is…time.

When I reflect on the past year, I can see clearly the events that led to my physical and mental demise.  It wasn’t one thing.  It wasn’t a tragedy or a misfortune.  It was simply nine years of extreme mothering.  It was burn out.  It was going to sleep after midnight and being woken, not for the first time, at dawn.  It was taking two children and a new born to swimming lessons on a Friday afternoon and trying to support the swimmers, in two separate pools, while simultaneously breastfeeding a crying, tired baby in a hot, sticky and very public environment.  It was scraping slow cooked spaghetti off a newly cleaned  floor while the tears slid down my cheeks and my baby chuckled along to Giggle and Hoot despite my efforts to banish television at dinner time.  It was preferring to stab myself in the eye with a sharp stick than listening to my five year old try to read or go through the trauma of shampooing my eight year old’s unruly hair.  These are the things that day after day, week after week, exhaust us.

It came to me recently that mothering is in the details.

It is a mother’s attention to the small things, the things that no one else makes time for, that makes life work.  That makes life better for everyone else, but sometimes worse for the mother herself.

When you are in survival mode, there is no room for the details.  Just getting through the day is enough.  Last year, I let some things slide.  Swimming lessons, supervised daily tooth brushing, checking homework, fun, kid-centred activities like art and craft and bike riding to the park, ironing.  I’m starting to feel inspired and able to return to these things.  To make more effort, to be more present and to take on more as a mother again.  Well, except for the ironing maybe.  Ironing sucks.

And so, it brings us back to balance.  Finding the right balance for you, on this day.  Doing the best you can with what you’ve got and forgiving yourself if it turns out to be less than what you would have liked.  Making choices that work for you and make you happy.  Listening to your body, being kind to yourself.  Buying the Easter Eggs if it means having time nurture yourself by making a nourishing lunch or taking a break to stretch or just to sit and be.

If you make your own Easter Eggs, I think you are amazing!  Just make sure you do it because you love it and it makes you happy.  And be sure to triple taste test the mixture along the way!

Have you suffered from Mama Burnout?  How were you able to heal from it, or are you still suffering in it’s depths?  If you would like to talk, we’re here to listen!

Love and light,

mamacino x

 

 

Comfort Reading

Some people comfort eat.  I comfort read.

I always have a stack of books on my bedside table because I like to know what I’ll be reading next, it comforts me.  I’m not fussy about the kinds of books I read and there will usually be a wide variety waiting for my attention…parenting books, books about food, maybe an autobiography or journal, some literature…usually Jane Austen.  Over summer, I tend to succumb to the comfort read, that is, one of a handful of favourites that I like to reread, sometimes several times…at the moment it is Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes.

 

I am so thankful that my children have inherited my love of books and reading.

As a teacher, I think reading is just so important to a child’s development.  As a mum, I find reading to be a wonderful opportunity to connect with your children.  A quiet moment to sit together and share something.  To learn something together, develop a bond and create a mutual understanding about something…ocean animals, ballet princesses or the importance of finding an agreeable husband, preferably in the possession of ten thousand a year and a house named Pemberley.

Recently I was asked if I would like to review a new children’s book by Mem Fox.  Being a huge fan – especially of The Green Sheep, I jumped at the chance.

Good Night Sleep Tight written by Mem Fox and illustrated beautifully by Judy Horacek has become a firm favourite, especially with Leonardo, who is two.  It is the story of two children, Bonnie and Ben, who are being coaxed into bed by their babysitter, Skinny Doug.  Skinny Doug tells the nursery rhymes he has learnt from his own mother, to the joy and delight of the children.

The story has a predictable flow which is easily memorised by sleepy mothers required to recite the story at awkward times.  The retelling of nursery rhymes give us an opportunity to revisit those that were popular in our own childhoods but may have been forgotten over the years.  Nursery rhymes such as This Little Piggy and Star Light Star Bright are timeless and children delight in them as much now as they did in the past.

Do you share a love of reading with your children?  what are your favourite comfort books…the ones you could read over and over again?

Happy reading!

mamacino x

Our Food Story…getting some answers.

Some of you may be aware that my daughter Francesca has been having some tests done in order to arm us with as much information as possible to set her on the right path towards health and well being.  

Well, those results are in!

I have given some serious thought as to how much information about my children I disclose here.  It is my blog, not theirs, and I’m not sure if I have the right to talk about their most inner workings without them really being aware of what that means.  However, I see it on facebook, I hear it from friends…we are in crisis when it comes to the health of our kids.  Food intolerance, immunity issues, behavioural problems…the list goes on.  And so, with that in mind, I am going to share Francesca’s story, respectfully, in the hope it may just help someone else going through such a struggle as we are.  Please remember though, it is our story and yours will be different so if you have any worries, get checked out by a qualified health care professional.

You might like to read Our Food Story and Our Food Story Continues for a bit of background information about how we reached this point…

It turns out, that Francesca has a condition named Pyroluria.

Pyroluria stems from a severe deficiency in zinc and Vitamin B6.  The condition is genetic and comes and goes over a lifetime.  There is evidence that Pyroluria is connected to gut health and so diet and lifestyle play a big role in managing it.  Supplementation is also important and needs to be monitored by a medical practitioner.

from pinterest

Reading more about the condition joined up so many dots for me in figuring out Francesca’s irks and quirks (and, um, maybe some of my own…).  Deficiency of Zinc and Vitamin B6 has widespread implications for the body affecting our skin health, immunity and mental health.   If you are up for a bit of reading, try here.

Frankie’s tests also showed an imbalance in her gut flora (all yeast, no lactobacillus) which is most likely responsible for her food intolerances.  Her iron and Vitamin D were low, but not too bad.  It’s kind of a case of the chicken and the egg – which came first?  It’s hard to tell but the one thing I am totally convinced about is how what we eat and what we do affect how we are…it’s all connected!

And so…what does this mean food wise?  Well, as I have believed firmly for some time now, multiple food intolerances are not solved by eliminating foods from your diet – there is a bigger picture to consider.  What is causing this food to react so badly with the body?

For us, we need to aim for a wheat, soy and sugar free , low dairy eating plan.  This means lots of meat, fish, eggs, low sugar fruit and vegetables, good quality grains, healthy fats like coconut oil and avocado.

from pinterest

Sometimes it might be the type of food and getting back to an organic, seasonal, fresh, whole food diet may help…sometimes there might be more to learn.  Francesca is now taking some supplements to help her get her body back to where it needs to be for optimal health.  It may even take a few years, but we will get there and yes, I want to say it….mum knows best!!!  So if you have any real concerns or worries about your kids or their health, keep searching until you find answers.

If anyone ever needs help or support on their own journey towards better health, please feel free to email me or get in touch via facebook…I would love to lend an ear or assist you in any way I can.

Love and light,

mamacino x

Our Favourite Gluten Free Breakfasts

At this time of year there are so many opportunities to indulge in too much celebration food!  For me, if I start with a light, healthy breakfast, it makes it much easier to continue on that way through the rest of the day.  

Starting the day with a nutritious, healthy breakfast that is going to sustain you will keep you feeling light and energetic and you will enjoy the occasional Christmas treat even more!

These are our favourites…

C.A.D.A.

Delicious, nutritious, quick and simple…

Simply throw into your TM or Food Processor a handful of shredded coconut, chopped apple, pitted medjool dates and almonds.  Blend for a few seconds so it’s chopped but not pureed.  Enjoy with chopped summer fruit like strawberries and mango and a dollop of natural yoghurt if you like.

Smoothies

Smoothies are an awesome way to get a whole lot of goodness in to your body (and your kid’s bodies!) first thing in the morning.  Any combination is good but here are our favourites…

• Green Monster - Spinach, mango, pineapple, avocado, orange (peeled) and ice.
• Bananarama - (Frozen) Banana, almond or rice milk, cinnamon and honey
• Berry Berry Good – mango, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, natural organic yoghurt, ice

Fruit Salad

Fruit Salad…yummy yummy

Take advantage of all the glorious summer fruit we have around at the moment and whip up a fruit salad.  Simply chop whatever fruit you have on hand and place in a bowl topped with crunchy granola, chopped almonds or walnuts, toasted pepitas and sunflower seeds or some of your favourite natural yoghurt.

Gluten Free Toast

Let it be said that not all GF bread was created equal.  Some loaves can be full of nasty preservatives so you have to select carefully, or make your own…however…some mornings just call for a piece of hot toast…here’s how we like it…

• Smothered in avocado, sliced tomato, olive oil and sea salt
• with pesto – divine!
• Cut in to fingers and dipped in a soft boiled egg
• With sliced banana, honey and cinnamon (this is Francesca’s fave…she is such a sweet tooth!)

Delicious Gluten Free Granola

So, so good…

You can buy GF granola pretty easily these days but it is so expensive!  Why not make your own!  This is my recipe for   GF granola and I’m telling you…it is delicious!  You can have it with milk like cereal or use it to top your fruit salad or yoghurt….yum!

I hope these suggestions give you some inspiration for keeping it light and healthy in the mornings.  What is your favourite breakfast?  I’d love to hear…if you have a favourite that you would like to see ‘healthified’ let me know! Please leave a comment below and I will do my best to come up with a great option for you!

Happy Eating,

mamacino x

What to do when your child vomits in public…

As a mother, it is essential to be skilled in many areas.  Acquiring  these skills is not easy.  There is no book, no university degree.  The only way to acquire these skills is by experience.  As the book says, you gotta go through it…stumble trip, stumble trip.  Well, this week, I’ve been through it…and come out the other end smiling…

On Wednesday I had an appointment with a specialist I had waited months for.  Of course, on this day, all three of my children (and myself but we don’t count) were sick.  Without the luxury of an on call babysitter, I, against my better judgement, dragged them all along with me.  After the prerequisite 45 minute wait and close proximity to lunch time, I left with my restless brood relieved…learning that I might have a brain tumour was the easy part of the morning!

As I was in town, I again ignored my inner voice who said to me (as clearly as God said to Elizabeth Gilbert)… go back to bed, Kris and I chose to run some errands.  I was so freaking hungry and because I become irrational when my blood sugar gets low, I also ignored the fact that whining and tears from my toddler is a major alarm for something’s not right!! 

All I could think about was getting some coffee and a muffin.  I bought the kids a juice to go with their snacks from home and to appease Leonardo (who was by this stage crying and trying to escape from his pusher Constantino style) while I waited for my coffee, I gave him the juice.  The crying stopped and he even smiled.  Crisis averted…yay! One for mum.

Just as I sat down, I saw it coming as if in slow motion …the quiet look, the red face, the heave…and then out it came…Leo vomitted in the Food Court at Westfield, at lunch time.  Nice.  I put my hand out to catch it (why, after eight years and three kids I still do that I really do not know) while I was STILL HOLDING MY MUFFIN!!!  Yes, the muffin was a casualty.  I laughed, like only the insane do in such situations, then calmly proceeded to clean up a gallon of spew with one small serviette.  As you do.

Fortunately, the cleaner arrived in a flash (code spew, as opposed to code blue?) and the man at the table next to me came to the rescue with a handful of wipes like only a parent with small children can.  Calmly, I collected my children, smiled and whispered, let’s get out of here…but not before requesting a take away cup to pour my coffee into to take on the road.

The afternoon was spent on the couch watching telly and for tea, we had toast.

And so what did I learn from this experience you might wonder….

1.  Always listen to your inner voice, she knows, oh yes, she does.

2.  Always have a muesli bar in your bag, preferably a Carmen’s Chocolate, Almond and Cranberry one.

3.  Always smile in situations of extreme pressure, deep breathing may help also.

4.  If you must put your hand out to catch someone’s vomit, make sure you are not holding a muffin while you do so.

5.  Make your muffins at home!

Wholesome Whole Food Muffins

Fruity Spelt Muffins

Wholesome Whole Food Muffins

Grain Free Banana Maple Muffins

Have you ever had one of your children do something incredibly awkward and embarrassing in public?  How did you handle it?

Love and light my friends, love and light,

mamacino x

My Big Idea…and the obstacles of motherhood.

Being a mum is absolutely the best job going around.  There is so much I love about it…but sometimes it can feel like taking two steps forward and one step back.  Motherhood is an obstacle course.  The degree of difficulty increases with each child.  We get pretty good at ducking and weaving but there is always that one obstacle that stops us in our tracks.  Gastro.

On Saturday, I had an amazing idea.  I have been thinking for a while now about going back to work.  I’m not sure I’m ready for full time teaching but earning an income would be nice.  And useful.  And so I had this brilliant idea that I would make my famous granola and sell it at our local Farmer’s Market!  I was so excited about this mini business, I couldn’t think of anything else.  I was dreaming up names, variations of recipes and researching the process of starting up.  The idea of having a new project to build upon was so exciting.  And then it happened.  It was 10pm on Saturday night.

Images from Pinterest…

I heard Leonardo crying and went in to investigate only to find a very distressed little boy and vomit everywhere!  I don’t need to tell you that a sleepless night and continuous loads of washing followed.  That feeling of a warm stream of vomit working its way down your neck to nestle between your boobs…that’s motherhood!  Well, it’s better than it going on the carpet I suppose.  Sunday was spent cuddling and comforting my sick little boy in between stripping bed sheets and cushion covers and countless drenched t-shirts…mine!

By late Sunday night I was beginning to doubt my commitment to my new business.  How would I fit in a job…I didn’t even have time for a wee!  With three children and a husband who is absent for weeks at a time, perhaps my attention needs to remain at home for a little longer…

Being a mum is more than a full time job and those of you who work outside the home as well…YOU ARE AMAZING!!!

A must read for all mothers…so funny! Kate Reddy is one of my favourite book characters…

So, I’m still undecided.  Starting a business, however small, takes dedication, time and commitment…I have to work out if I can do that while keeping on top of things at home too.  Sometimes, as mums, we miss out on stuff…or at least have to put our plans on hold for later.  What do you think?  Would you go for it?

I would love to hear your stories about working and motherhood.  How do you make it work?  Is it worth it?  Tell me…..

Love and light,

mamacino x

Grain Free Banana Maple Muffins

Muffins are a sometimes food.

Sometimes I like them for breakfast, sometimes I like them for afternoon tea.  Sometimes I like them with blueberries and sometimes I like them with chocolate.  Whatever your definition of sometimes is, these healthy grain free (gluten free), dairy free Low-fodmap, Banana Maple Muffins will stand you in good stead…even if you eat them a little more than sometimes…

I have tried lots of grain free muffin recipes and I have certainly had my share of disasters.  My kids love them and when made with nourishing ingredients, they make a great snack.  These muffins are adapted from Teresa Cutter’r recipe which you can find on her Healthy Chef website here.

Grain Free Banana Maple Muffins

Makes six medium size muffins…the mixture can easily be doubled to make twelve, but I prefer them fresh…

Ingredients:

150g almond meal (or almond flour or almonds that you can blitz yourself in a TM or food processor)

1tsp baking powder (gluten free)

1 tsp cinnamon

2  eggs

2 Tbsp coconut oil, melted

2 Tbsp maple syrup (you can also use honey or agave syrup)

2 ripe bananas well mashed with a fork

Toppings if you want to decorate your muffins…flaked almonds, coconut, chopped nuts…

What to do:

Combine your almond meal, baking powder and cinnamon in a large bowl.

Add the eggs, coconut oil and maple syrup and gently fold through.

Fold through the mashed bananas.

Spoon into a muffin tray lined with 6 muffin cases (or grease your tin well) sprinkle over toppings and bake 25-30 minutes in an oven set for 170 Celcius until golden and cooked through.

Enjoy while warm, with a spoon full of yoghurt and a drizzle of honey if you really want to make a party out of it.

* Feel free to add your own tastes to the standard mix – you can leave the banana in or out and add blueberries, grated pear, chopped apple, diced peach, raspberries…and maybe even some chopped dark chocolate!

Do you love a good muffin?  What is your favourite sometimes food?

Happy and healthy eating,

mamacino x

What makes a happy family?

I woke up this morning and found three children, a mortgage and a people mover!

How’d that happen?

Do you ever feel like your life is moving in a direction you don’t really want to go in?  That even though you consciously participated in every choice you have made in your life so far…it just doesn’t look how you imagined it?  I do!  All the time!

Images from Pinterest…

or…are they?

If you had asked me, when I was in my early twenties, to describe how I thought my life would look fifteen years from then, I would have said unconventional.  Images of quiet coastal towns, vegetable gardens, yoga retreats, blonde haired babies spilling out from Combi Campervans, wholesome home cooked meals, no television, Birkenstock sandals, singing, laughing and travelling would have flooded  my mind.

Well, my life, as I would describe it now, it pretty conventional.

And I am not complaining.  Let it be said, that we are incredibly fortunate for not only the material possessions we have acquired, but for the love, health, friendship and happiness that enriches our lives.

…is it wrong then, to want something different, when what you already have is so close to perfect?

Who’s idea of perfect?

We are at a crossroads in our life.  It has dawned on us recently (or rather come down upon us like a tonne of bricks) that all of what we have doesn’t come cheap and we are both going to have to work incredibly hard to maintain it.  Obviously we have always known this on some level but not winning the 100 million in lotto last week really made it hit home.  We are going to have to step on to the treadmill that we so naively believed we would never have to do if we want to keep travelling along the same path…which ironically, involves no travelling at all.

And so…we must decide if life for us is about full time work, school fees, swimming lessons, ballet classes, long commutes, less family time, less holidaying, more juggling or could it be more simple?  More family time, smaller house, different schooling opportunities, more travelling, less work, less…conventionality?

Change is not easy.  Easy would be to continue, blinkers in tact and not risk something great for the possibility of something amazing.

A small problem, a third world problem, I am aware, but the reality of our life at present none the less.

To us, the decision hinges on what is best for our children.  For their future.  For their health and happiness.  If someone could tell us what that best decision was, we would do it, no questions asked.

What do you think is the most important thing for families to live in harmony, with happiness and with wealth…what IS your idea of wealth anyway?

Your advice would be greatly appreciated!

I’m sorry – this post is a bit heavy, isn’t it!  I think I’m going to have to make a cake now to lighten up!

Love and light,

mamacino x

Feed the Kids – Polpette…Easy Italian Meatballs

Want a sure fire, guaranteed, no fuss winner of a kids dinner?  

Well, I have one for you…Polpette!  Italian meatballs…and adults are pretty partial to them too!  These delicious morsels are easily adaptable to suit everyone… great finger food for toddlers and leftovers are really yummy on a sandwich for lunch the next day.

The more I learn about food, the more I realise how important it is to keep it simple – especially when it comes to feeding children.  Good quality ingredients and not too many of them usually make for the best dinners.  During the week, we keep it  along the lines of meat and vegetables, saving our pastas and pizzas for the weekends.  My kids go crazy for these polpette – I hope yours do too!

Ah – that was lemon zest Leonardo…NOT parmesan!

Ingredients:

Makes 24-26 meatballs…heaps for leftovers!

For the meatballs…

About 1 kg of good quality minced meat (I usually use beef, pork or veal or a combination)

1 cup fresh breadcrumbs (use gluten free if you have a sensitivity)

1/2 cup finely grated parmesan (optional)

1 clove of garlic, minced

1/2 cup finely chopped parsley

Zest of 1 lemon

2 eggs, lightly beaten

Sea salt and freshly ground pepper

Olive oil

For the sauce…

1 onion, finely chopped

1 tin of Italian chopped tomatoes

1 bottle of passata

2 bay leaves

Putting the ‘mama’ in mamacino!

What to do:

This is a great job to get the kids to help with – even though cooking with children is NOT as much fun as everyone makes out it is on Pinterest!

In a large bowl, mix the meat, breadcrumbs, parmesan (if using) parsley and a little salt and pepper.

Mix well using your (clean) hands.  Add the egg and mix again, using your hands and some love until everything is well combined.

Roll the meatballs into round balls (I make mine about golf ball size) and place them on a plate.  Once you have rolled all the balls, pop them in the fridge while you make your sauce.

For the sauce, simply add the onion to a large pot with some olive oil and cook until soft but not brown (sometimes I add a little water to stop the onions frying).

Add your tomatoes, passata, and bay leaves and stir.  Leave to simmer on low heat.

In a large non-stick pan, heat some more olive oil.  Fry your meatballs (you might need to do 2 batches) until browned all over.  Pop them straight into the sauce.

Once all the meatballs are browned and in the sauce, cover with the lid and simmer for around 45 mins to an hour.

Now, the Italians would serve the sauce with pasta first, then serve the polpette with a salad and some crunchy bread to mop up any leftover sauce…I just serve them with veggies or salad and the kids and my husband fight over any leftovers for their sandwiches the next day!  They are delicious in a roll with crunchy lettuce and maybe some grated cheese.

What’s your kids favourite dinner?  Do you have a philosophy when it comes to kids food?

mangiare, mangiare!

mamacino x

Our Food Story Continues…

One of the first posts I wrote for mamacino was Our Food Story.  

It was our experience with food intolerance that actually inspired me to start mamacino in the first place.  The more I talked to people about the wheat free, dairy free recipes I came up with for my kids, the more people shared their own food stories and asked me for my recipes and ideas.  Because the journey never really ends, I thought I would revisit this story and let you know how it’s evolving for us.

This week, I took Francesca, my six year old daughter to see an Holistic GP…your experience, like mine, may have led you to believe that they don’t exist, but we tracked one down and though it took a car, a ferry and a bus ride to reach her, it was well worth the effort.

Gorgeous Girl…

Francesca has lived with a dairy, soy, wheat, fish and nut intolerance all her life.  Although she has improved so much in the last year or two, I still, in my heart, feel she is not right when it comes to all things food.  We have relaxed her diet, restricted it and relaxed it again.  Although she is gorgeous and clever and looks pretty healthy, she suffers with tummy upsets, bloating, nasty trips to the loo and dry, rashy skin.  It has come to the point where I feel I need some more information to work with.  Am I eliminating foods unnecessarily?  Is she missing out on vital nutrients?  Am I affecting her health in the long term?  I feel lost and I need some help.

It was refreshing beyond words to speak to a medical practitioner that listened to my concerns and acknowledged them.

And so, today, Francesca, my Mum and I drove up to Melbourne to have some tests done.  Francesca was very brave and grown up about the whole ordeal.  If you think it’s difficult to convince a child to sit still for a blood test, try catching their wee in a small jar in the pitch black!  A wee test that is light sensitive – a mother/daughter bonding experience for sure!

While we wait for our results we will be returning to our wheat, dairy, soy and nut free diet (luckily Frankie doesn’t like fish anyway!) and we look forward to developing an action plan with our new doctor.  An action plan that supports Frankie’s well being and sets her up for a healthy start in life.

I would love to hear about your own journey with food.  Do you manage intolerances in your family too?  How have you found support on your journey?

Happy Eating!

mamacino x