The Simple Things - Guest Post by Best Selling Author Sally Collings

Sally Collings – guest post on The Simple Things

Most weeks, I have a conversation with one of my daughters that goes something like this:

‘Mum, I want an iPad [substitute consumer item of choice here], can I have one?’
‘What do you want one of those for?’
‘Everyone else in my class has one.’
‘Are you sure … ? And in any case, that doesn’t mean that you need one.’
‘That’s so unfair!’
‘Life is unfair, sweetie. But do you know the best way to be happy?’
[Roll of eyes.] ‘No, what is it?’

‘Want less.’

 I don’t know if it’s working, but it’s a message I try to slip in whenever I can. I really believe that much of the stress and strain we experience is to do with striving, competition, and the sheer drive to consume. It’s everywhere, and it is hugely difficult to resist.

That’s why I’ve co-written a book called The Simple Things with Antonia Kidman. The sub-title is ‘Creating an organised home, a happy family and a life worth living’, because we both feel that those three things are intertwined. Organisation is about being conscious of what you buy, keep, and own, and stripping back where needed. Families thrive when their days are focused on experiences rather than stuff. Life has more value when relationships rather than ownership are at the core.

I’m no domestic goddess, so some of the things Antonia and I write about in our book are not second nature to me. Batch cooking, for example: I know it’s a great way to save time and cooking, but I often forget to buy big enough quantities of the ingredients I need. Some weeks it all comes together, though, and those weeks feel better, less flustered, more in the flow.

One of the tips in The Simple Things that I really love is ‘the minimalist home’: paring everything down so that your home is streamlined and clutter-free. My family is just about to move house, so I’ve just done a major minimalisation in our house, and I love it. I get a kick out of seeing benches without bits and pieces all over them, beds freshly made – I’ve even developed a taste for rolling towels, though I think I’ll get over that pretty soon! It’s been a major effort to get the house that way, but two things that helped were tackling one room at a time and getting the kids involved. We turned it into a competition to see who could fill a garbage bag first, which is a great motivator!

Strangely enough, simplicity isn’t always the easy option. It can take courage to say no, to fly in the face of what everyone around us seems to be doing.

The results are worth it, though. A happier, healthier, more peaceful life for you and your family is really worth the effort.

 

Sally Collings is the author of bestselling Sophie’s Journey as well as Positive, The World According to Kids and Parenting with Soul. A writer, editor and publisher, her special areas of interest are life stories, parenting and everyday spirituality. She lives in the subtropical paradise of Brisbane with her husband, two daughters and one goldfish

My chapter published in 'Facebook For Your Business'

I’ve just had a chapter published on how business people can use Facebook as a marketing resource. The book is called ‘Facebook For Your Business’ and has been written by social media experts from all over the world. It’s been produced as an ebook (for iPad, Kindles, PC, Mac etc) by Mithra Publishing. Take a look at the book at www.mithrapublishing.com

Between the Lines Reader Group-reads the Pram Diet book

Between the Lines Reader group based on the Sunshine Coast are currently reading the Pram Diet book.
I am just loving their take on my book!

"CHAPTER OVERVIEW: Nurturing Your Self pg 27.
I ♥'ed the mantra quote:
"The very best person to be is the very best version of myself"

So true, I think as mothers we can put our needs last - making sure the kids are bathed and fed, Hubby's lunch is packed and clean work clothes - we forget that we are just as important to be eating well, have some time to soak in the bath...this was a great starter for me in the chapter!"

If you are reading, thinking of re-reading or want to read the book there is still time to join in the experience with them or even just read what they are talking about and think of the book. They meet in person and also online and have a facebook page where you can join in HERE

I am so delighted to have them reading my book xx

Amazing Mumpreneurs Book Launch

 It was a fantastic Sunshine Coast Launch of the Amazing Mumpreneurs  book, organised by award winning and Ausmumpreneur finalist and the inspiring creator of successful Sunshine Coast business the Creative Collective Yvette.

Featured on the 7 news and on View News online.
It also saw me featured and interviewed with some super cute pic's of me with my two gorgeous girls in the Range News, Kawana Weekly and the Buderim Cronicle.
Featuring a panel of finalists from the awards that are featured in the book including Lara from www.sunnycoastkids.com.au  Vanessa from Mamma's Market and Kylie from Bubs in arms gift boxes it was a great networking event for mum's from the Sunshine Coast region and even had a special guest speaker, the very successful Rachel Bermingham of 4 Ingredients fame and Bermingham Books, who as an author was fantastic to listen too!

The Amazing Mumpreneurs book feaures very talented finalists from Australia and New Zealand in the Connect2Mums Ausmumpreneur awards, of which I won their Best Product Award with my book The Pram Diet.

You can purchase the book and find out more about the awards at www.connect2mums.com

I WON!! I am SO excited to share that I won the Bio-Oil Connect2Mums People's Choice BEST PRODUCT Award!!

I am thrilled to share that I won the Bio-Oil Connect2Mums Mumpreneur People's Choice  *BEST PRODUCT* Award!!
Winning this has meant so much and caused me to take a moment today to reflect and realise how far I have come in 5 years. 5 years ago I was really overweight, suffering from depression and miserable after the birth of my daughter Lily.

Everything changed one day, upon reaching a frightening breaking point.

Since that day I lost 30 kilo's in weight, discovered an important link between exercise and happiness, found the joy that radiates from health, had a book published with Random House, been on A Current Affair twice and the 7 news twice, been on radio and in numerous newspapers and magazines including slimming and health, who, that's life and womans day, and on websites like bellyhood.com, blackmores online, mirror.co.uk.
Had another baby, moved from Bundaberg to the Sunshine Coast, written another book and am working through an ebook series, along with contributing to websites such as sunnycoastkids.com.au, buginabook.com and mum's lounge amongst some other exciting developments..

And now I am the very excited winner of an award that I admire and respect so very much.

The Connect2mums Mumpreneur Awards celebrate women achieving wonderful things. From inventors to designers to retailers to business owners to experts in their chosen fields.
It is a true honour to be amongst them, was indeed an honour to be a finalist and is so fantastic to be the winner with my book in the best product.
Showing that book's definately can be sensational products that can make a real difference in people's lives.
That book's are creations of passion, artistic talent and a great achievement.

Thank you deeply everyone who supported me in the Mumpreneur Awards, it has maent so much to me and I cannot express my thanks enough.

Rebecca xx

E Book Launch

I am very excited to announce that my book, The Pram Diet will be officially released as an e Book on May 5th!!

It will be available through a variety of online sellers that Random House Australia uses, visit THIS LINK to see their full list and more details.

This means that my book will be available worldwide!

Join in my excitement at the official FACEBOOK launch party HERE

Rebecca xxxx

The Australian Spirit & Author's for Queensland Flood Appeal

The Australian Spirit and Author's for Queensland Flood Appeal
The Australian Spirit is something that is truly shining as we near our beloved Australia Day.

After the country has been devestated by horrific floods and what was so aptly called an 'inland tsunami' we have come together, through the tragedy and tears we have bonded with each other and we have shined as a nation with the Australian Spirit.

It can be difficult when you want to help so much and have already donated as much as your family can afford to know how else you can help which is why I was really impressed by the very inspirational Kate Gordon's bringing together of so many author's for the
AUTHOR'S FOR QUEENSLAND FLOOD APPEAL
http://authorsforqueensland.wordpress.com

Happening right now is this really exciting auction, just brimming with so many books.

I myself am really excited by this project and to have been able to donate two signed copies of my book in the auction. It really is such a great way to raise money for the flood victims in such a positive and productive way.

Drop by the auction site now before it ends, share it wth people you know and bid on some really exciting books and writing opportunities and support Author's supporting the Queensland Flood Appeal.


Together we can all help and we can make a difference...

Rebecca xx
http://authorsforqueensland.wordpress.com/?s=pram+diet

Speaker at the Melbourne Healthy Food Show

Freshen Up Your Life For Your Waistline

This was the title of the talk I gave at the Melbourne Healthy Food Show held at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre earlier this year.

It was such an exciting and positive event; Brimming with buisness's, speaker's and demonstrations on healthy living and I was really delighted to have been asked to be a part of it.

I was also supported on both days by the amazing owners of the 'Eltham Bookstore' who brought copies of my book to sell on both days. ( You can find a link to their bookstore here on my blogger page too. )

My talk's were based around using the words 'fresh' and 'inspiration' to bring a healthy, energetic vibe to your life.

Here is some of what I taked about it..

Freshen Up Your Life For Your Waistline
Fresh is a word I have come to fill my life with.

When you think of the word FRESH you may conjure up images of beautiful fruits and vegetables in their optimum state-full of goodness, colour and flavour.
You may picture pristine fresh water streams so cooling and refreshing or mountains where the air is so pure that the simple act of a deep breath fills you with awe.

This is the energy and sensation we need to bring into our lives when we are wanting to truly find ourselves within ourselves. When we are wanting to get healthier, lose that weight and tap into the magnificent energy source that does reside within us all.

Freshening up your life will lead to losing weight if that is your goal but it will also most importantly give you a whole new lease on your life.
This I know. After years battling self image issues and my yo-yoing weight I found myself overweight and depressed after having my daughter until one day upon reaching a breaking point I went for a walk-not a walk with a destination, just a walk. I bundled my baby into her pram taking every possible thing I could think of that we could possibly need and off we went.

30 kilo’s lighter with a whole new sense of self and finally a healthy attitude to food I have never looked back.
And this is the magic part of bringing freshness into your life like I did with my walks in the fresh air..you feel so good for letting just a small amount of freshness into your life that you just want to bring more and more and more...

I started with small walks, just around my neighbourhood.
It began to amaze me how much beauty was around me that I never before took the time to see. The tree’s full of life, the flowers dazzling in surrounding gardens, the local birds chirping away.
I saw my walks as my ‘time out’ and would let myself only think of pleasent thoughts on my walks-leaving all my worries at my front door as I left it.

From this exciting starting point I began to feel so alive from this fresh energy i was bringing into my life that it was a natural progression to want more.

I began to appreciate my body more-it felt so good from the refreshing exercise that I wanted to eat fresh as well.
I did this by inspiring myself and embracing the words 'fresh and 'inspiration'.
I visited a local farmers market and discovered local fruit markets and started filling my home with beautiful fresh ingredients and because I was also on a tight budget I started to grow my own fresh organic ingredients at home as well. Just a few pots of herbs at first to freshen up my cooking before ending up with a virtual market garden of delicious ingredients at my fingertips.

Any day can be the day you start to live your life more, in fact any time of any day when your focus is on making positive changes.
Bring freshness to your life.
Some of the greatest ways to bring freshness to your life are often the simplest.
Inspire yourself.
Read inspiring and uplifting magazines and books-watch inspiring tv and movies, find quotes that really move you.

Surround yourself with inspiration

Embrace fresh air.

Take time to just breathe occasionally. We all know that if you find yourself stressed you should take some deep breaths but how often do we pay attention to our breathing? Sit somewhere calmly sometimes and take some gentle slow breaths-feel your body-let your mind relax it all too often works so hard.

Walk in the glorious fresh air. It doesn’t even have to be a long walk, just getting your body moving and getting outside. Breathe deeply and let your mind be cleared of all the worries, stress and concerns even if only for your walk.
If you neighbourhood doesn’t feel relaxing to you walk in a nice park, along a river, lake or by the ocean.
Freshen up your home. Make a point of sometimes opening up all your windows and letting that glorious fresh air circulate through your house-especially if you regularly use heating or air conditioning.
Freshen up your food..
Becoming healthy doesn’t mean no more delicious food. It means getting in touch with your taste buds again and experiencing real foods and real flavours-it means learning new and exciting recipes.

We are even often surprised that many of the family favourites we already make with just a few adjustments or added ingredients can be so much better for us.
It means eating meals that not only taste great but that give you energy and vitality-foods that make your skin glow and give you a bounce of energy in your step.
You even find that the more healthy foods you eat the more you want to eat and so on..

Find the excitement in a healthy fresh new lifestyle.

Embracing a healthier lifestyle doesn’t need to be boring in fact it should be exciting!
There is a wealth of exciting recipes out there that are healthy AND delicious. Once you start
there are so many wonderful ways to get fit or exercise its all just a matter of getting out there and taking that very first step

To a fresh new you!

Hello! I am now a blogger!

Hello and welcome to my blogpage!

I am a mum to an amazing 4 year old, a horticulturalist and a published author.

Even after a year it is still so exciting to actually be able to say that I am a published author, let alone things like visit a library and sometimes a bookstore ( something I do very often as a total bookworm ) and see a copy of my book on the shelf!

As a horticulturalist gardening is a huge part of me and in particular I am very passionate about organic food gardening and creative garden places of play for children that is chemical free and full of nature's wonderment. I truly believe that children and gardens just go together and when children learn and help to grow fruits and vegetables at home they also love to eat them!

My first published book, THE PRAM DIET was published by Random House and saw me on A Current Affair twice and in various magazines and newspapers, it is a book written from my heart-as a mother to other mothers.

http://www.myspace.com/thepramdiet

It shares my experiences with becoming a mother, dealing with depression after having my baby and losing those stubborn post baby kilo's of excess weight that don't just 'fall off' for every woman!

It also contains at it heart gardening advice to get started growing your own fruits and vegetables as a family because this was a key factor for me in improving the way I ate and it led to me watching my daughter grow up picking and eating fresh produce like snow peas, beans, strawberries, capsicums, tomatoes, carrots, celery, lettuce and more straight from the garden.

I have also completed last year a second non fiction book full of inspiration and motivation that I hope to have published as well and am also an aspiring children's book author with two maunscripts being edited by my agent, both aimed at bringing the garden alive for young children.

As a writer I have been fortunate to have a wonderful agent along the way in Sophie Hamley of Cameron's Management and was really fortunate to work with an amazing team of people at Random House. with The Pram Diet.

As a mother I have found immense inspiration through my daughter who truly lights up my day..She gave me the reason to turn my life around and really experience life as the blessing it is.