When tummy's are grumbling feed them -

I am regularly asked as I do my weekly shopping how many children I have. Sometimes people also ask if I am "stocking up".
My weekly shop usually makes the trolley groan as I whiz in and out of aisles. Sometimes I think I need two trolleys, but with only two hands that isn't very practical.


Not only do we buy an assortment of crap toilet paper,soap,washing powder etc, there is always loads of food.
I buy alot of fresh produce. Fruit doesn't last long around these parts so I must buy loads!
I only buy milk in 3 litre lots or we run out quick smart. And bread is always in bulk.


I limit my children snacks to healthy foods or healthy alternatives.
The after school rush is very busy. We arrive home after a hectic nice leisurely walk and the first question out of the kids mouth is "whats for afternoon tea??".

Two weeks ago I was sent a large box by a company you all know as Sirena. 
After arguing with Cgirl that the present that came to the door was marked for me and not her, we opened it up and inside found packs of yummy goodness.

Their new snack packs are called Tonno E Riso.
These scrumptious little containers were delicious.
Basically it is a mix of tuna, veggies and rice...which come in 4 different flavours.
Rustic Bean
Italian salad
Puttenesca and
Spicy tomato

Now most of my kids aren't fans of seafood. Usually Tman and I split whatever tuna is about while the other kids turn their nose up.
But this taste testing went very differently.

Cgirls remarks were - Please can I have some more mummy, It's so yummy and I promise to eat my dinner.
Hboy's remarks were - mmmm Hyummy Mummy
Jboy's remarks were - Tuna? ewwww and then after trying them - Yummy mum are you sure its tuna?
Tmans remarks were - *slurppp* *smile*

So overall we had a winner. I thought they were pretty tasty and even hid a few for later snack-age.

I found the packs great for the kids to take for lunch.

They don't have any nasty artificial additives or preservatives.

They are also gluten free!

You can serve them cold or hot and they are quick and easy.

They taste delicious.

They are very well priced.

They can be used in a salad,sushi,with pasta, on sandwiches and in wraps.

Some facts on Sirena - 

Did you know that Sirena means mermaid in Italian?

Sirena have been supplying Australians with quality canned tuna for over 55 years. The creator Carlos Valmorbida immigrated from his homeland in 1946 and decided to introduce a new type of tuna with an Italian twist.

Final consensus in the O household says - Yum yum. these tasty little morsels will definitely become a regular snack in our house.

Menu Planning VS Me

2012 is my year of organisation.

 I am so very proud of myself for keeping on top of life the past few weeks.

I have formed some fantastic cleaning patterns, finances are staying in check and my exercise increases daily.

I have started taking a shopping list when I go out and am ignoring temptations. I have been leaving myself reminders around the house, finished tidying up before I relax at night and making sure the bathroom floor doesn't get soaked.

All in all my happiness levels have risen by far. I feel good...maybe even great. I am becoming the mummy I want to be.

Over the past few months I have been reading some super, amazing, ladies blogs. Many of which have meal plans they post on specific days.

Meal plans seem to be fantastic for keeping on track and taking confusion out of the picture.

This all got me thinking. I'd love a meal plan! Something I can look at and say "terakyi chook for tea tonight".

So I have been mulling over ideas, ways I can incorporate this in our lives.

I have noticed some differences though, it seems most create their list before they go grocery shopping so they know what to get.

I cannot do that.

I only buy what meat is on special. If it doesn't have a price reduction I walk away.

So how do I know what to plan every week if I have no idea what will be on special?

I have decided some investigation needs to happen. I can check the woollies and coles sites before I go...hoping the items are in stock is a bit of a concern, but nothing I can't improvise on.

So this afternoon I will be compiling a list of meals that we eat regularly. Spaghetti bolagnaise, Terakyi chicken, Chili con carne, chicken and salad, ham and salad, Lamb cutlets with vegies and so on.

I figure if i have a good starting base, I can look for meat and veggies that will suit and improvise here and there.

It won't be as planned as I like, but I figure structure at a minimum is better than none at all.

How do you decide which meals to serve weekly?

 Do you have a Menu Plan?..how does it fit into your life?

Do you have any tips?

Going down, down

We have all heard this phrase heaps lately. 


On the tv, radio and even in the stores. Coles' latest catch phrase is not only annoying but stays in your brain, like a worm, willing you to hum it, all day long!

In reality though is it true? Are the prices really going and staying down??

I don't think so.

Sure some products seem to have hit an all time cheap or are staying at a fairly decent price but what about the prices that are shooting through the roof?

I don't know about you but my local coles seems to be keeping prices down on bread and milk...and that seems to be about it.


 While shopping today I needed to buy a number of items that they, as i found out, no longer stock. Quite a few of their own brand items seem to be disappearing on a weekly basis, which raises the price of your shopping list!

It seems that by showing they have lowered prices on everyday basics they are trying to get customers to turn back from other grocery stores. I think it's a lost cause. Without keeping all cheaper products in stock and offering low prices on everyday basics, its not going to make a difference!
 Increasing the price of everything else in store while keeping milk and bread prices down will definately encourage shoppers to come in....and only buy milk and bread!


I now understand why shoppers seem to be fleeing to stores like ALDI..unfortunately i don't have time to stand outside their stores and pack my own shopping bags while 2-4 children run loose.


Woolies seem to be keeping things at a compareable price so i think The Daddy Man's hard earned dollars can go to them!