Ways to Keep Busy during Covid

 Okay, so for those that don’t already know; we down here in Victoria have been locked up in our houses for weeks now, only leaving our homes for “essential items”, exercise and/or medical care. For people like me, whom before lockdown, did everything they could to get out of the house, it’s beginning to get a little challenging! So I’ve come up with a few ways to keep myself busy and am writing them today to maybe inspire you guys! 

Cooking!

I know, no big shock on that one! If you’ve been following any of my social media platforms you would be seeing my little creations, my Hello Fresh box meals and my 5 a day hashtags! But seriously guys, now that we have the time to eat well, let’s take full advantage of it! 

Redecorate 

I’m loving this one right now! There is nothing better than feeling at home in your own home. These past few weeks I’ve been styling my house just the way I want it, buying things I think will suit our theme and the kids have enjoyed creating their spaces also! Jie’s room is nearly complete and Nevaehs is coming along nicely too! My room is a mess (the stuff room) as I’m waiting for a bed I ordered online, but today I put Nevaehs desk together which is a two piece and came as a flat pack. Before starting it I was dreading it but it was really easy to essemble and it took under an hour! Kudos to the people making these for solo parents like me to put together so easily! 

Masking

When leaving the house now it’s compulsory to wear a mask. People are still wearing those blue disposable masks which is fine but I figure, if this is our reality now, we should look good and feel good doing it! I gave the kids free range to find their own masks on the internet. Anything they liked! They have to wear them too so they might as well have something they would want to put on their faces. Jie found a few on Etsy while Nevaeh and I ordered from hoMie. With all this time on your hands jump online and see what you like, what fits your personality or support a local family mask making business! 

Declutter 

We all have those spaces we dread cleaning in our homes. The shed, the garage or for me.. the hallway cupboard! You never go in there because you know it’s depressing to see how you’ve just let it go for so long! Don’t worry.. we’re all in the same boat here and no one can see it to judge because your hiding it well! But let’s not keep putting it off! Decluttering has its perks! That leaf blower you never use could be sold to someone who likes blowing leaves, those extra tools can go to the kid next door to tinker around on his bike this weekend or maybe those dusty old photo albums could be your daughters, granddaughters or nieces new project to either digitalise or recreate! Maybe they could even create a scrapbook. Whatever you’ve got going on in those dark places you never visit I’m sure it’ll feel good to have things a little less in disarray! Create a check list and start slowly. We have all the time in the world at the moment so just take your time! I’m rooting for you!

Prayer

You can never ever pray too much! (At least I don’t think you can!) but if I’ve learned anything being a Christian, it’s that prayer powerful. Prayers are being answered daily for people all across the globe, so while you have the time to dig deep and get a few of your prayers answered by really leaning into God I encourage you to do so! You are so worth the things you want and need in life! This is the perfect time to pray and wait for a response! God is ready to blow your mind! 

Stay connected 

Saving the best for last right here! This is so so so important. Suicide rates are at an all time high right now and those friends you never think to check on may just need checking in on. If you’re not a big talker shoot them a text! Let them know you’re around if they need an ear. This time has been challenging for all of us and so if you yourself are struggling please reach out to a friend or family member you know and trust. You’re not ever a burden and the things your going through matter to those who love you most! So share the love you have and share the load when it gets too heavy! 

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Wordless Wednesday: Siblings

 

2015

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Dinnerly vs Hello Fresh

So I have a lot of people wondering why I chose to stick with Hello Fresh and not Dinnerly and so I thought I’d write it in a blog post and break it down into 5 category’s.  

Money:

So although I have chosen to roll with Hello Fresh there is a significant price difference and it actually is cheaper to use Dinnerly. It’s a case of you get what you pay for though! 

Plans: 

On both Dinnerly and Hello Fresh you have the option to choose your recipes for the upcoming week! If you don’t like lamb or in my case cous cous you do have the option to change the recipe to something you do like! You also have the options of how many days you’d like meal kits for and with Hello Fresh you also have access to 250+ online recipes to try as part of your plan which is something Dinnerly doesn’t offer. So you’re never without inspiration!

Taste: 

As for the taste, I found that Hello Fresh was substantially yummier!  The Dinnerly meals that I had were lacking flavour. With that being said, I enjoyed 4/5 of my hello fresh meals and only 1/3 of my Dinnerly meals. 

Packaging:

While Dinnerly uses bare minimum packaging and I feel Hello Fresh uses too much packaging this is the one time I did choose Dinnerly over Hello Fresh. Most of the ingredients came fresh from both companies and with Hello Fresh’s “quick meals” range I understand the extra packaging as they pre make their own sauces and mix the veggies for your convenience but in saying that though, you don’t learn how to make them yourself.

Easiness: 

This is hands down Hello Fresh and one of the biggest reasons why I’ve chose to stay with Hello Fresh. Dinnerly offers their recipes online and with its easy step by step guide straight from your phone you’d think it’d be that easy right? Wrong! The bench gets messy, your hands get messy and you find yourself having to scroll your phone for the next step. Not only that but trying to read the small font from your phone and get it all right was a little painful. I think Hello Fresh shined in this category! They offer meal cards A4 in size for you to keep. I have a display folder for mine which sits on the bench ready to use whenever I want. The meal cards have loads of information and pictures and best of all you can swap them with friends who also order hello fresh! I love love love this the most! 

So there you have it! Hello Fresh gets my vote and my money but I’m not completely opposed to Dinnerly. I have both apps on my phone so I’m free to look at upcoming meal kits on both! But for now, I’m enjoying Hello Fresh! 

Please inbox me on Facebook or Instagram if you’re keen to try Hello Fresh or Dinnerly. I might have a code you could use! Have a great day and thanks for clicking in today! God Bless 🌿

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Two Xbox Games to get you through Lockdown!

Today I thought I would share two of our family’s favourite Xbox games to play together. Sure my kids play Fortnite, Roblox, Apex Legends and COD! But here are two outside the box games which you guys could play together!

Sea Of Thieves  

Solo and Multiplayer 

The first game is called Sea Of Thieves and in the game you are a pirate! You have a ship to store up wooden planks, bombs, cannon balls and fruit you find from different islands which are all key pieces in the game. You can play one of three modes! You can align yourself with the Gold hoarders alliance where you and your crew given maps (with x marks the spot) and riddles to solve on various islands. There is the option of a merchant alliance where you pick up and drop of cargo to and from different islands and the third is the Reapers missions! This is where you battle it out against other ships to find and deliver the Reapers chest to the reaper himself! This earns you the most coins if you succeed. Fishing, cooking fish and then selling them will also bring a profit. Guys, I am addicted to this game at the moment! If I’m not cooking, cleaning or getting in the word, I’m usually playing this!! Pulling out my sword to fight skeletons and sinking ships for treasure is who I’ve become in lockdown 😂

Grounded

Solo and Multiplayer 

This is a really really new game the kids have started playing and one they can’t seem to get enough of. Everyone has seen “Honey I shrunk the kids” right? Well.. here’s a game where you become one of the shrunken kids! You’re around as big as a garden spider and you’re trying to survive! In the game you can make various things from items you collect in the garden. You can make an axe out of stones and twig, you can use the axe to chop down grass to make shelter and the list goes on! Battling insects, creating armour out of their shells and finding fresh water droplets on leaves will help you survive. I haven’t had a chance to play it, but I do enjoy watching the kids play and listening to them play multiplayer mode! 🥰

So there you have it! Two games to get you through this lockdown! Let me know what you think of them or if your kids love them as much as mine!

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30 Day Cleaning Challenge

via GIPHY

Today I’m challenging myself to a new 30 day challenge to keep my home in check through this isolation period!

Here’s what it looks like:

1. Kitchen Cupboards
2. Passwords (all platforms)
3. Phone contacts and apps
4. Paper work Boxes
5. Laundry Cupboards 
6. Clean out the car
7. Windows and glass surfaces 
8. Oven
9. Bathroom Cupboards 
10. Bedside tables
11. Flip mattresses and new bedding 
12. Instagram contacts, connected apps and hashtags
13. Dust/clean Decor, lamps and fans
14. Facebook contacts, connected apps, groups and pages
15. Kitchen drawers
16. Pantry
17. Wash car and Kayak
18. Sort through fishing gear
19. Clean Shower and bath and restock essentials 
20. Clean out bins
21. Junk drawers
22. Fridge
23. Emergency numbers and drills 
24. Fishing gear
25. Camping gear
26. Laptops and iPad apps, bookmarks, logginS
27. Printer paper, ink, essentials 
28. Foxtel recordings 
29. Toys and board games 
30. Outside storage and rubbish removals 

I can do this! 

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Wordless Wednesday

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