Wellness and Chasing your dreams {Giveaway ~ RedBalloon for Mother's day}

This post is sponsored by Wellwoman and Digital Parents Collective

Many of life's great issues receive the same treatment .We size up the situation, we sift through evidence, weigh things in the balance and respond to the change in circumstances as best we can.

When you think about cancer and what you would do if you had to face that trauma - burying your head in the sand isn't very productive.

The inevitable question we ask is how do I stay well - physically , emotionally and financially ? Without question , after getting through my initial treatment , financial security has been one of our biggest concerns since my breast cancer diagnosis.

Australia has one of the best healthcare systems but there were many out of pocket costs and if you want your choice of surgeon you can expect to pay more.

Then how do you cope with the financial burden of maintaining your lifestyle,  ensuring your home life runs smoothly without too much disruption. It isn't easy to dismiss the little things like childcare, getting the kids to school, preparing meals - let alone the bigger issues like the mortgage or paying the rent.

Wellwoman, by AIG Direct, is a newly launched cancer insurance product in Australia for women aged 18- 69yrs - to assist in maintaining a woman's lifestyle as she focuses her energies on recovery.

When you are diagnosed with any of the seven cancers specific to women - Breast cancer, Ovarian cancer, Cervical cancer, Cancer of the uterus, vagina, vulva or fallopian tubes. Wellwoman - cover pays a one-off, lump sum payment of between $25,000 and $45,000 after a confirmed diagnosis, Subject to the exclusions and conditions in the policy. Of course if you have already had cancer then this may not be for you. 

Wellwoman insurance is designed as a one off measure of support should a woman face a female specific cancer diagnosis and is not intended to replace health or life insurance.

This leaves you to focus on your treatment and recovery ; things that matter most - steadiness and stability.The payment can be used for anything you choose e.g. a holiday or mortgage repayments or for you to chase your dreams.

My next favouite quote at moment ...unknown author , my photo !

 I am ready to chase my dream again and put my energy into my most important goals . I have the determination to focus on wellness and happiness . I need to put some other goals on hold for now ...like running a half marathon.

For now, I've picked a few goals and I'm focusing on those that make me feel a well woman like ...exercising, feeling sand between my toes and even enjoying a massage !

RedBalloon

Now I get to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a Day Spa treatment from RedBalloon – a One Hour Full body and Mind Massage (valued at $110 - available in Australia nationally). Just in time for Mother's Day.

Tell me what makes you feel like a well woman ?

Click here to see the full terms and conditions of this giveaway - the closing date of my giveaway has been extended until  14th May 11.59pm.

Australian Women’s Weekly

I am often moved to tears by real life inspiring stories of people overcoming challenges... and ...where would we be without the latest heartthrobs {Colin Firth}.

Normally, I quickly skim through the regular features ~ fashion& beauty, family ideas, health updates, quick and easy recipes I can make at home, till I settle down with a cuppa and a special feature.

The Internet will never replace magazines for me. I don’t pick up every issue like I used too. While I have subscribed to various offers over the years I am not currently a subscriber. I’ve often purchased things I’ve seen reviewed or featured in their ads which sometimes are like a featured article.

"this is just a few"

It wasn’t a regular feature but it caught my eye, on the front cover – Life Lessons- Happiness is learning to be grateful. I checked the contents and I flicked over to page 79 ~

Titled: A year of living GRATEFULLY.

It focuses on the grateful movement sweeping the country, transforming lives as the grateful project participants take a photo a day of something they are thankful for.

A daily reminder to stop and smell the roses (literally something that is very close to my heart).

Day by day people have been searching for things that bring happiness and thankfulness.

The article mentioned champion rower, Rachael Taylor who started her 365 gratitude project as a disillusioned mother. She soon became a blogger- posting her daily grateful photos - so that captured my immediate attention too.

I was interested to know it started by another mother Hailey Bartholomew who in 2008, who inspired another mother, Felicity. She used her Facebook page to post her daily snapshots of grateful.

My favourite quote is by Felicity

“I think we have a tendency to think about the things we are missing in our lives and the things we haven’t achieved instead of seeing how blessed we really are”

This nails it for me – that by taking a simple photo people can find joy. It also reminds me to not to get stuck on where I am not...to look around and celebrate.

By seeking out and capturing those wonderful mundane things  ; like the washing on the line, fresh baked bread, a flower or children playing , we shift the focus and create something positive.

The images in this article appealed to me and gave me some great ideas of my own.

As much as I want to I doubt I could commit to a full 365 Gratitude project. The article has inspired me to start the New Year seeking out some happy moments of grateful, be it the mundane or that little bit of magic in my own life through 2012.

Reading this article in Women’s Weekly Magazine won’t transform my life but it certainly fires up a bit of passion in me and makes me think about living more gratefully.


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How do you take care?

 Sponsored by Nuffnang

I don’t plan to return to full time work next year as my twins start kindergarten. While I plan to get actively involved in their classroom as a parent helper I’ll also have some spare time to do some things for myself and others.

I’d really like to get involved in my community to assist isolated women (of any age) and especially older country women facing difficulties related to drought, flood, depression and unemployment.

I know many would like to learn to use the Internet, maybe Facebook and how to email ,to break their isolation and develop social networks. I also know many can’t even afford basic skin, hair and body products we take for granted.

How can I start this up? 

Garnier is a trusted brand that takes inspiration from local people doing extraordinary things. They are looking for 10 Take Care Ambassadors

What is a Take Care Ambassador?

Inspiring Australian’s who are currently engaged with a grassroots project; whether it be fundraising for a local school or sporting group, assisting with community activities or raising awareness of important local issues.

How will you be supported?

You will receive a $1000 gift from Garnier to support your community project as well as gain exposure for your initiative through the Garnier website and Facebook page. You will also meet the Garnier team during a special Induction Day in Melbourne where you will be treated to a professional photo shoot and receive Garnier products to trial and review.

After I heard about Garnier, The Circle, I entered ...

It was so hard to describe it in 100 words or less (REALLY)

My project is to assist socially isolated and older country women (Central western NSW) navigate the Internet and social media. Teaching them to use Internet, Facebook and email to develop support networks, help overcome depression and keep in touch with families and friends. Country families face difficult times amidst unemployment, drought and flood disasters. Take Care Ambassador would help set this up. Further, I’d provide Garnier take care packages for women in families facing hard times that cannot afford basic hair, skin and beauty care products. Luxuries we take for granted, to make them felt good about themselves.

Whether I become an ambassador or not I’d still like to give this a go on some scale.

Are you passionate about something – or already involved in a community initiative? 

Then I’d encourage you to enter your own project to become a Take Care Ambassador for Garnier
Read more about it here.

Then go to their FB page http://apps.facebook.com/ambassadorscontest/contests/168501?wfrefid=13661a80add9 and click on 'Enter Now'




PS Entries are open now and close January 4th

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Celebrating Food Month ~ Coffee & Chocolate self saucing pudding

May is Food Month and I’m loving the celebrity Mini Cookbook Collection available for $2 with the Daily Telegraph newspaper every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday during May.

 

“Take 15 cookbooks from the best celebrity cooks. Add a special collector’s case to keep them in. Reduce, then serve. That's what we’ve done to create the new 15 part Mini Cookbook Collection.”

Mmm !!!

“They’re serving up something big”

Jamie Oliver's ~ Jamie Does… was the first book (free) in the collection on May 8^th.

Continuing through until  June 2^nd , Jamie is followed by a host of Australia’s favourite celebrity cooks , Gary Mehigan, Maggie Beer, Matt Moran, Kylie Kwong, Stephanie Alexander just to name a few.

Each mini cookbook has over 20 recipes, all for just $2 each.

As the website~  http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/food-month says

“... by the end of the month you'll have a library of over 350 inspiring recipes from some of our most celebrated cooks. The Mini Cookbook Collection. It's going to be big…”

I was asked to review one recipe from one book.

I’ve been pouring over my mini cookbook collection for a favourite to share with you.

Alas, I have dozens ... tantalised and spoiled by the variety and celebrities.

The smorgasbord of choice is stunning.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner, in between and afters.

Any times.

I need never to cook the same recipe twice in a month again with Food Month’s Mini cookbook collection.

Reading cook books gives me great pleasure. When cooking for my family the reward exceeds the expectation when the plate is left empty.

The Mini cookbook collection is lovely to look at and has gorgeous images to tempt you.

Autumn is my favourite season of the year because as
Donna Hay says ~ There’s a crisp edge to the air ... ~

I chose the coffee and chocolate self saucing pudding to surprise my family with, and warm us up on a chilly night.

It was quick and easy to make with 15 mins preparation time,

25-30 mins cooking time and then gone in 60secs after I snapped this

I had 6 extra family guests for dinner, so I actually made 2 versions one with coffee and in the other I substituted cocoa for the children.

By the way Donna Hay’s “Seasons” is on sale Sunday May 29^th.

 

Credit

Check the Food Month website for more information and make sure you browse the sample collection available on the website from all your favourite chefs.

So who is your favourite celebrity chef from the Mini cook book collection?

What is your favourite recipe from the collection?

Sponsored by KidSpot & News Ltd Food Month

Visit these other great Food Month contributions from other bloggers
Berry Crumble 


Merguez Lamb Rissoles with Couscous & Pasta with Roasted Vegetables 

Nachos and White Chocolate Cheesecake

Roast Chicken with Pancetta and Sage and White Chocolate Cheesecake
(edited because love link sharing thanks Megan) 

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