How to achieve a waste free lunch box

Izzys' auntie Margi chose a good week to come along and watch assembly a couple of weeks ago. Izzy won a very special award.

Izzy's class won a week long competition, to see who could accumulate the least waste from their lunchboxes. It coincided with a performance called 'Wiping out waste', at another local school.

Izzy won an individual award, because for the week, she accumulated no waste. Which meant she had no rubbish left over from her recess or lunch. By rubbish, it means no cling wrap or wrappers, because she would have had the odd apple core or banana peel. So I guess they didn't include recyclable materials in that waste. I've also noticed there is now a green waste/chook bucket outside the classroom door.

I was so proud, happy and just a tiny bit emotional. Just a little bit, no tears were shed people!

It wasn't until Margi mentioned it, that it dawned on me. That award, was a credit to me too.

I thought I would share how I achieve a waste free lunch box, most weeks.

While Izzy was standing with her other classmates, in front of the assembly, she was holding her lunch box. It's the same lunch box I used last year at Kindy. I bought a new one for school this year. It a Nude Food Movers lunch box, I bought at Woolies.

It has a compartment for a sandwich, so there is no need for wrapping it. Under the sandwich there is plenty of room for a piece of cake, some biscuits, cut up veggies or fruit.

There are a couple of containers with screw top lids for loose things like popcorn, sultanas or savoury biscuits like Shapes, or rice crackers.

I don't buy individually packaged snacks. I buy a big bag of sultanas, whole packets of crackers and make my own popcorn.  I then fill the coloured containers with whatever I have at the time.

These lunch boxes are available in a larger version too, with an extra compartment of containers. If I had one of these, I'd probably put yogurt in one container and freeze one with water in it, as an mini ice brick to keep it cool.

Do you ever think about what you can do to reduce waste?

An InLinkz Link-up

My five in five - Mystery Case Blog Awards

So as far as I know I've been given two of these, please forgive me if I have missed out anyone. Thanks to Ann and Zita for nominating me, and thank you to Ms Mystery Case for handing out blog awards in the first place :)

1. How long have you been blogging and why did you start?
I started blogging in 2012, May I think. It was that year I started doing the Photo a day challenge(and didn't stop! I got a bit addicted) by Fat Mum Slim. It was Chantelle's blog, that introduced me to blogging. So I have her to thank I suppose, and that night there was bugger all happening on Facebook. I was so bored and looked into making myself a blog. Let's just say, I am not bored anymore!

2. If your wardrobe could talk what would it say about you and tell us about your favourite or most worn item?
My wardrobe would say,"Don't eat that chocolate!". I've just bought size 12 pants, so I am trying so hard not to eat all the chocolate, or drink all the wine, or anything else that puts on the kilos. We've just come out of the winter chill. My most worn item recently would have been my black leggings, to go under long woollen dresses and tunics. I have a pair of boots that I have worn to death too over winter, only because they were the only ones I had! 
When the washing is folded, everyone elses clothes end up in their drawers, neatly folded. I neglect my own. They usually get dumped on the trunk at the end of the bed. I have to make a point of not always going straight to these crumpled, but clean, and convenient, clothes, and getting something different out of the wardrobe. 

3. What's your idea of the perfect date night?
Right now? Me. All by myself. Out to dinner and then back to a hotel room. The bed all to myself, the tv remote and whatever else. Nail polish, chocolate, spa bath! Oooh yeah. Oh, and sleep, glorious sleep!

4. What's on your Worth Casing list?

I'm good at lists. 

• The open gardens near Adelaide next weekend. My mum, me and the girls are going on a road trip to look at three, maybe four gardens.
• Some new nail polish. Izzy is very good at wasting all mine away, on her toes, fingers and her sisters too.
• Finishing the 'My place in time', list. I so want to publish my version, in book form. 
• I have this notion of interviewing and maybe publishing a short book of women in my community. Sharing their varied stories. It's one of those pipe dreams. Even if the library and the museum get a copy, much like the above book.
• Inspiration to keep me on track and working positively towards my goals! Much of this has come from stuff shared by bloggers who attended Problogger. Just gotta keep all my ducks in a row, and get busy! 

5. If you had a theme song what would it be and why?

There's one song that always takes me back, to when I was about 12 years old. I am not sure which brother I had a crush on, but it reminds me of them. I am not sure why, but this song reminds me of that time, and of them. They bare no significance in my life now, really. But the song makes me feel good. Weird, I know. This clip was out about the same time, maybe that's why. Who knows. I do know, this is my party, and I will cry if I want to!

Blogs I consider worth casing.

This is hard, there are so many, and many have already been nominated, it would probably take me forever to work out who. And I don't have forever. So.

Blogs and people that always humble and totally amaze me, in good ways. My little drummer boys and I'm thinking about starting a blog.

A Parenting Life, her butterfly kisses and fairy wishes, also her #ouradventureofalifetime, are worth casing.

Blackcurrant Photography Where the 'My place in time' challenge originated, thought up by photographic artist Kell Rowe.

Lastly, but so not least, Kate Writes.

Did you know you could nominate yourself? What are you waiting for?!

Liebster Quinella

This post started as a Liebster times two, in the process I have procured two more. Enough already people!

Thank you very very very very much to Rita from The Crafty Expat, Robyn from Mrs D and Candy bows, Victoria from Declutterbug and Captain Stingypants and Tegan from Musings of the Misguided for nominating me and my blog, for Liebster awards. I will kill two four birds with one stone(coz I am that good!), and answer all of them in one post.

Ritas Questions....

1. Have you ever travelled to another country?
No. The furthest I have been is Long Island off Queensland! Considering I live in one of the southern most places in South Australia, it's a fair way. In a plane. :)
2- Which country did you visit or/and which country would you like to visit? 
I would love to go to Spain, the birth place of my Dad :)
3- What is your best travelling memory?
Learning to ski at Falls Creek or eating my way around Tasmania!
4- Which place did you visit in your own country?
There have been so many.....loved every one of them. I haven't been to NT or WA.
5- What is your favourite place in the world (other than home)?
My mums house.
6- What is your favourite craft activity or/and what type of crafts would you like to learn?
Crosstitch or quilting, I like to paint and draw, all of which I haven't done much of at all lately. I would love to learn how to crochet.
7- Do you have a craft fail? Tell me about it.
I am hopeless at taking up and hemming pants. Which is a pain because I am short. There are so many different types of materials I have no experience in hemming successfully :/
8- What is the most positive thing you get out of bloggingRelationships with fantastic people, who urge me on to create fantastic memories for the future generations, so they can look back on and experience their ancestory in a way I never got to.
9- What part of blogging you dislike
how time consuming it is!
10- What do you like best when you look at a blog?
When it loads fast, and is easy to read.
11-Name three things you want to do before the end of the year?
Wax my chin! lol.seriously!!
Blog my christmas day :)
Unpack from trip away for christmas day, and washed all the dirty clothes, and folded, and put them away in their respective drawers. that is all :)

Robyns questions....

Is your blog your job or your hobby? It is my hobby. One day maybe, it will become my job, who knows, maybe not?
Do you work from home and if so how do you manage to work around the kids? I do not work from home, thank f...ruit cake, because I do not know how the hell I could do it!!!!
If you could have a whole day to yourself what would you do? Go get a pedi, massage and facial all in one!
What's your favourite quick, never fail dinner recipe? Spaghetti bog!
Are you good at saying No when you need to? (I'm terrible) I am terrible, but, just tonight i didn't answer my door. I was trying to get my youngest to sleep, I wasn't answering the door to anybody!!! It turned out to be my next door neighbour, I would have loved to seen her.
What's the most embarrassing situation your little ones have put you in when out and about? Recently when we where at the op shop and izzy kept saying "We have to get out of here, this place stinks. It is making me feel sick". She was being so honest, I couldn't stop laughing!!
Are you currently following your passion? I am really not sure what my passion is. It would have to be gardening of some sort, maybe design. I am sure I would have to win lotto to follow it truly :/
Are you super organised or do you survive in organised chaos? I like to think I live organised, but I am sure from an oustide view it would be organised chaos!!!
Have you ever moved country before? No, not even statewide. I did consider once moving to NSW to be with Jakes Dad.
Do you have a thermomix? Do you love it? I don't have one! I went to a demonstration, but wasn't convinced it was the bees knees, although impressive :/ My sister in law has one and she loves it.
Camping! Love it or hate it?? Love it when it doesn't rain, or isn't too hot. And the kids are happy and not whining!! Would much rather a hotel room! We do have a caravan that is better than a tent I suppose.

Victorias questions....

1. How has blogging affected you?
It has introduced me to lots of new people and things like twitter. Given me an outlet to be expressive and creative.
2. What do you do when you get some 'me time'?
Relax, compute, drink wine, shower
3. Do you share your blog with family and close friends?
No, some know I have one but I don't think they frequent it
4. How often do you check your blog stats?
A few times a week, I try not to be too worried about it, sometimes curiosity gets the better of me.
5. What inspires you to write?
A desire to connect
6. How do you relax in the evening?
In front of the computer, sometimes with wine
7. Do you sleep with your smartphone?
No! I don't have a smartphone. I don't sleep with my dumbphone. I'm not really a mobile phone person...yet.

8. Name a person you admire?
My sons nanna, Jan Nicoll, she is the most amazing person I know
9. Coffee or tea?
I will drink both, but am going mad for coffee right now
10. Your dream holiday is...?
Sitting on a beach, sipping cocktails with no distractions
11. In five years time you hope to be....?
Sitting on a beach, sipping cocktails with no distractions! Happy, healthy, and still sane :)

Tegans questions....

How long have you been blogging? Since May, so 7 months.
What was the first Blog you read? I think Fat Mum Slim was the first, I am sure there were ones before that but thats the first one I remember.
How did you come up with the name for your Blog? My nick name is chook, and I am a mum, so One Mother Hen it was.
Summer or Winter? I hate being cold, so I would have to say Summer.
How do you start your day? Coffee!! Before or after sorting out two girls, depends who gets up first!
One thing you couldn't live without? The internet.
If you were stuck on a deserted island, who is one person you would like to be stuck with? Bear grylls!!!
Your favourite indulgence food? Chocolate
Do you blog to a schedule? No not particularly, I do schedule posts for Wordless Wednesdays though without fail.
If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? Where I am right now, at home.
Are you ready for Christmas? Yes, I think so! I do have a couple of things to do, but I am doing them later in the week. 

I am going against the rules and not passing it on, finding 44 blogs to nominate and then notify them is just ridiculous. Plus I have two other blog awards, a Sunshine and Beautiful blog awards to pass on as well which I will choose blogs for.........eventually!! :)

Thank you again to Rita, Robyn, Victoria and Tegan :)
A late inclusion(just to make it extra ridonculous) is thanks to Ann at Help!! I'm stuck!! for handing back the one I gave her.

Liebster Award!

I have previously recieved one of these. Mel from Just winging it. Parenting by the seat of my pants has kindly passed another one my way. Thankyou Mel :)

So what is a Liebster Award? The award is given to support and recognise up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers (on their blog) or likers (on their Facebook page). The word “Liebster” apparently has German origins and is reported to mean sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome. By following some basic rules (answer 11 questions set by your nominee, write 11 questions of your own and pass the award onto 11 other bloggers to answer) it enables readers to get to know new bloggers and connect with a wider audience.

Questions set by Mel

1.      How long have you been blogging/had a Facebook page for?  I started blogging in May of this year, my first post was about laying in a pissy bed,  thanks to my daughter Izzy. The facebook page came later.

                            

2.      Why did you start blogging? Just to write things down somewhere, I had no idea how big it was and how many  friendly people were out there in blog world.

                         

3.      What should you be doing right now, instead of blogging? Sleeping! 

        

4.      Name 3 items you could grab from where you are sitting? Drink bottle, phone, tissues.

         

5.      Are you a morning or evening person?  I would say evening, I don't like getting out of bed in the morning. Maybe I should go to  bed earlier. But evening is me time, and morning is "Mum, muuuum, muuuuuum"....all  day!! 

                   

6.      What book are you currently reading? Nothing. I hardly get to read the local rag in peace. 

         

7.      Where were you born? Mt Gambier, South Australia. 

          

8.     How many times in your life have you moved and where to? About 7 times. The last 5 have been in the town I am in now, we moved here when I  was 12. I've been in this house for 10 years.               

               

9.      Are you a coffee or tea drinker?  Both. Mostly coffee.

           

10.   What is the next country on your travel wish list? I haven't been OS, ever, unless you count Tassie. For some reason I would like to go to  Noumea.

                            

11.   Are you spontaneous or a planner?  I would say planner, I like to know what is going to happen and when. I have to think about being spontaneous, which I think defeats the purpose.

The eleven blogs I have chosen
1.  Tao of poop
2.  Broome time Mummy
3.  Four little piglets
4.  The Semi-rural life
5.  Mumabulous
6.  Kate Writes
7.  Danya Banya
8.  Uber Simplicity
9.  A cajun down under
10.Mums take five
11.I,m thinking of starting a blog

       

Questions for my eleven nominees

1.  What is your favourite book character ever?
2.  What's in your fridge veggie draw, right now?
3.  What was the last thing you took a photo of?
4.  Where was the last place you travelled to?
5.  Do you wear thongs(flip flops, thought I should clarify!), what colour are they?
6.  What was the last shop (besides the supermarket) you bought anything from? And what?
7.  What is your least favourite chore?
8.  What is the last tv show you watched?
9.  Do you have a family nickname, or one your friends call you?
10.Name three things on your kitchen bench.
11.Name three things on your bathroom vanity.

Liebster in da house!!

I was very flattered when Kelly from Handmade tears and triumphs sent me a message to say that she had given me a Liebster award. I'd seen them floating around and thought straight away that I'd probably never come into the radar for one of them. But here I am, telling you about it. Thank you Kelly!!!

The Low down on Liebster

Each person must post 11 facts about themselves 

Answer 11 questions the tagger has given you 
Choose 11 people and link them to your post (they must have 200 followers or less) 

Provide 11 questions for the people you tag 

Tell the people you have nominated

11 Facts about me

Fact 1.    I'm drink my tea black with no sugar. I drink coffee white with 2, I have only been drinking it within the last couple of months. I get now why my husband never let me choose and buy the coffee!

Fact 2.   I was chased up a plum tree by a ram when I was about 14. I was crying and terrified. My sister stood at the back door pissing herself laughing at me. Bitch. When my Mum came to see what all the screaming was about, she told me to stop being silly and get down.  Yeah but....theres a deranged ram trying to kill me!

Fact 3.   I'm a nail biter, I can't seem to get them to grow. Except at the end of my pregnancies. I buy polish for my toes, I feel naked when they aren't painted. They're coral pink at the moment.

Fact 4.   My first car was a purple Datsun 120Y, I thought it was the coolest thing ever. Grass grew on the passenger seat floor.

Fact 5.   My son went to special school from the age of 9, he has aspergers.

Fact 6.   I like to sing in the car, I could get through a whole song(usually with the wrong words), if it wasn't for cars coming the other way or people on the footpaths. I don't want to look like a dickhead.

Fact 7.  When I was still a silly teenager I got bogged on concrete, with a car full of friends. Not in the Datsun. It was raining, the ground was dirty and muddy, the handbrake was on. I was doing a mean burnout, thinking I was bogged. I may or may not have been a little bit stoned.

Fact 8.   I attended 10 years of Catholic school. I thought the nuns were lovely in primary school. There were Brothers in high school, Brother David sconed me on the head with his knuckles for saying 'shit' in homegroup. Prick ;p That sort of physical discipline wouldn't happen today, and worse things are probably said in homegroup these days.

Fact 9.   I wear ugg boots out in public. Crime of fashion? I don't care.

Fact 10. My grandpa was a Latvian Russian. He would sit at the head of the table and crack a bunta if we talked at the dinner table.

Fact 11. I lost my original engagement ring on my honeymoon. It's at the bottom of the Great Barrier Reef, unless a fish ate it, then I don't know where it is. Thank God for travel insurance.

Kellys 11 

If you could have dinner with anyone, alive or dead, who would it be?

So many, but you know what, the first person to pop into my head, Johnny Depp. Aaaand the mind starts to wander...Patrick Swayze, circa 1987. And after some serious thought Mary Mackillop.
If you could drive any car of your choosing, what would it be?
Well I'm not too fussy, as long as it has petrol in it, air con and heating. But I'll take a brand spanking new Holden Commodore if you're buying. A dodge viper would be far too impractical, and uncool with two kids in the boot.
What picks you up when you’re down?

Chocolate, and a walk anywhere out in the fresh air and sunshine. Definitely a hug from my mum, in fact I'll take a hug from anyone.
What’s your favourite Karaoke song?
Haven't sung Karoake in the longest time. It's a long way to the top by ACDC.
PC or Mac?
PC. What's the difference, I have no idea?!!!
What food do you despise?
Anything offalish, and mostly, whatever my husband cooks ;P
What one Super Power would you choose?
Invisibility, how much fun could I have with that one. And I may get some peace without the kids tugging at me or using me for a horse when I'm down on the floor cleaning up.
If you had to relocate to a new country, but you could choose which one, where would you move?
Maybe Italy or Spain. Imagine the lifestyle!!
What is the best book you’ve ever read?
I don't read many novels, not these days anyway. Have read lots of auto/biographies, on different poeple, which I enjoyed. A book I've read several times, is Playing the Jack by Mary Brown, a soppy love story set in 18th century England.
Do you think Australia should become a republican nation or are you all about the monarchy?
Have really no opinion about this, except if it's not broken why fix it. Does that mean I'm a monarchist? I think I'm sitting on the fence at the moment of 'I don't give a shit'.
What do you think of my blog? ;-)
I love your blog, it's a very entertaining read. You're funny, witty and write kick arse stories.

....and the award goes to....

I've chosen these 11 blogs to pass the award to. I have enjoyed reading them at some time or rather to want to follow. I also think they don't have the following they deserve. If I have nominated you, don't feel obligated to participate if it's not your cup of tea. (drum roll)...

Help!! I'm stuck!!

Inside the Snuggery

Learning to play, playing to learn

Housewife in heels

Teapots and Tractors

Mum of adult kids

Boyz Germs

The simple mummy

The Multitasking Mummy

Slightly more depth than a teaspoon

Little nan

Phew!! and nearly there.......

My questions for the nominees

1. What nationalities are in your ancestry?
2. Favourite Australian actor/actress?
3. Which magazine to you read the most?
4. What was your first job and how old were you?
5. Electric blanket or hot water bottle?
6. Favourite joke or party trick?
7. Right now, what's on the top shelf of your fridge?
8. What colour is predominant in your wardrobe?
9. First car you owned and what are you driving now?
10. Where was the best holiday you've had?
11. Who has been the biggest influence in your life?