Parents' Voice

08/02/2024

week is just wrapping up but here is one last one from the Parents' Voice archives. With our 6 practical tips on how to set up your lunch box's for success this year.

Are you looking for information on how to pack a healthy school lunchbox that your kids’ will love? Well, look no further! Packing a healthy lunchbox for school doesn’t have to be a nightmare. To help with this, Nutrition Australia and HEAS, offer some simple tips that will be sure to keep your ...

06/02/2024

We are supporting to help children stay well fuelled during their school day. Healthy lunchboxes can go a long way in shaping our children’s learning and health. Start packing like a pro with these fast tips: Is there a mix of food from each food group? Have you packed a water bottle? Is the lunchbox kept cool with an ice-brick and/or an insulated container? Visit the Healthy Lunchbox Week website for
plenty of inspiration.
www.healthylunchboxweek.org.au

04/02/2024

This year Parents Voice is celebrating . Did you know around a third of children’s daily food intake is consumed at school? Kids who eat well are better fuelled to listen, learn and play. Fuel their adventures and curious minds with a well-balanced lunchbox. Need ideas? Visit the Healthy Lunchbox Week website for all your 2024 lunchbox inspiration.
www.healthylunchboxweek.org.au

03/02/2024

This week is Healthy Lunchbox Week! If you’re new to the lunchbox scene,
is here to help you get started. Build your bank of lunchbox inspiration and know-how with awesome lunchbox information and recipes.
www.healthylunchboxweek.org.au

03/02/2024

Its and next week so here are out top tips for making lunch boxes easy and healthy. Comment below with your favourite ideas as well, we all need a bit of lunch box inspiration even this early in the year.

01/02/2024

week kicks off on Monday and here is a Parents' Voice blog written with the help of the team at who bring you the project Vic Kids Eat Well. As you prep for next week's lunches have a read and think about what small changes you can make to spruce up the kid's lunches and get their year started right.

(By the way Vic Kids Eat well have some great recipes on their website if you need some kid friendly inspo)

https://parentsvoice.org.au/2021/05/the-link-between-food-mood-and-learning/

We worked with our friends over at the Healthy Eating Advisory Service (HEAS) to bring you the following blog which looks at the links between food, mood and learning. It is well known that fuelling children with the appropriate foods helps support their growth and development. But did you know ther...

31/01/2024

It's back to school week and have you thought about ridding to school, or scootering with your kids to school. Not only does it get your kids active, but you get some incidental physical activity as well.

With more people working from home meaning less commuting to the workplace it can mean more time to ride or walk to school.

Better still bike riding promotes.
- Better coordination in kids
- More independence
- Builds kids confidence
- Helps with learning road rules
- they can do it with mates.
- A bit of physical activity in the morning helps get those good endorphins into the kids to kick start their learning.

Plus you are teaching your kids healthy habits that can last a lifetime.

So, when you can, consider swapping the car for the bike, scooter or walking instead.

29/01/2024

Years ago when my first child was starting school and super nervous, I stumbled on this article talking about a way to help kids feel connected and safe at school. The idea is to put a little love heart on their hand and yours. As you walk them to school hold hands and it powers up the button. If they feel a bit scared, lonely or anxious through the day they can press the button and know that I would be thinking of them and that they will be ok. At the start of each year I did this with both our kids for the first few years of primary school. If you have nervous one at home maybe it will help them get through that first few days back at school. Good luck out there this week!

29/01/2024

In our house its one sleep to go till and is coming up next week. So thought I might share some lunch box prep with everyone. Here are some easy to make and no refined sugars that are much quicker, and easier then constantly stocking up on processed options at the supermarket.

Muesli bars
Mix together dry ingredients.
- 3 cups of oats, 9 dates chopped up (approx.) 1/4 cup of each of your preferred flavours, I used shredded, coconut, crasins, and choc chips or chocolate nibs. But can use nuts (not for school) or other dried fruits chopped up depending on what your family likes most.
Melt wet ingredients in a small saucepan. 1/4 cup each of coconut oil and rice malt syrup.
- Mix wet and dry ingredients together till well combined.
- Use a slice tray and line with baking paper - spread and firm down across the tray and bake for about 10-15 mins until golden, remove from the oven and then once cooled slice as desired sizes and store in a airtight container. Will keep a couple of weeks.

Chocolate orange popcorn bits by Wicks (makes around 12)
Ingredients include 30gm Rice puffs, 25gm popcorn for dry ingredients mix together to well combined in a bowl. Then in a saucepan melt 80 gms of runny honey, 75gms of nut butter I used almonds, 1 tb spoon of coconut oil and 50gms of dark chocolate along with some grated orange zest. (You should keep some zest to sprinkle on top as well). Once melted mix all together and then spread evenly across muffin/cupcake patties and chill to set in the fridge. Store in an airtight container and keep for a week

These are a healthier treat option for something sweet but not loaded with refined sugars.

here is a link to the recipe for more details https://www.edenprojectcommunities.com/ideas/chocolate-orange-popcorn-bites-by-joe-wicks

19/01/2024

Looking for something to get the kids out in nature have you tried the junior ranger program run by Parks Victoria. They have great programs running in lots of places around the state over January check out some options. Or just take the kids to a local state forest or park or if you are lucky one of our amazing Victorian national park's

https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/

Check out Junior rangers here: https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/things-to-do/junior-rangers

Parks Victoria serves to protect our state’s natural and cultural heritage on behalf of all Victorians. Together with Traditional Owners and the community, we care for Country and value environmental conservation combined with an accessible and sustainable visitor experience that encourages curren...

19/01/2024

We are deep in the holidays now and hands up who's back at work 🤚. So we have thought up a few ideas for keeping the kids busy and doing things that promote healthy eating and a bit of activity at the same time. Have a look at the latest blog for some ideas.

Link in bio

26/12/2023

Now Christmas is all done, it's time for self-care maybe you might like to take some inspiration from our friends at This Girl Can VIC and strap on your sneakers or dust of your bike or head out for a swim and get out for a bit of fresh air with the kids. Great boredom busters for them and a great way to clear your head. Or if you can escape without them chuck in your earphones and listen to some music, audio book or podcast. Mostly its free and you can do it anywhere!

Ideas for walking: https://thisgirlcan.com.au/activity/walking/

Ideas for ridding: https://thisgirlcan.com.au/activity/cycling/

Ideas for swimming: https://thisgirlcan.com.au/activity/swimming/

Take in the fresh air and get moving, perfect if you’re new to exercise or aren’t that interested in sport. Women’s walking groups in Victoria help you to go out and get moving, while being part of a supportive community.