School holidays ..... and the working parent

School holidays are here … again! It really does feel like the kids have just gone back to school and it's time to think about what are you going to do for the next school holiday break. A quick calculation will tell you that children get approximately 12 weeks of holidays a year.  Most working parents get 8 weeks between them, leaving at least 4 weeks where the children have no one to mind them. Unless you both want to use all your annual leave to solely look after the kids and never have a break together or as a family you need to start looking at alternative childcare methods.

Taking the plunge into Dry July

At BRAVEday we tell you to "Live boldly" at every opportunity, so this month I'm doing my bit by participating in Dry July. If someone had told me eighteen months ago that I would be voluntarily going a month without alcohol, I would have been the first to whack them over the head with my wine bottle.

Health tips for busy mums

Being a Mum is arguably one of the most important jobs in the world, and being fit and healthy helps you in giving your job your best. Too often, mums have a bad habit of putting their needs on the back burner. We need to remember that being healthy and happy, makes us far more productive, so I have put together a list of some practical tips on how you can achieve this.

Worry less

As women, we worry. We worry about what our kids are doing. We worry about money. We worry about our aging parents…the list goes on. So having to worry about one less thing would be great, right?

What puts you at risk

Heart Disease is still New Zealand's single biggest killer. Cardiovascular disease (heart, stroke and blood vessel disease) still accounts for 30% of deaths annually.

Don't let RUST get you

Recently I attended an insurance conference in Auckland and heard Dr Tom speak. He is a great proponent of individuals taking responsibility and looking after their health. His message was about changing the health, attitude, motivation and performance of the planet.

Give a little make a difference

Back to School Lunches

With the school holidays drawing to a close and school about to start, parents are faced again with the dilemma of making school lunches. With the many school regulations in place that dictate what can go into your child's lunch box as well as ever fussy children the most important thing to ensure is that your children are getting a balanced diet throughout the day.

Short order

Time - there just never seems to be enough of it. I often struggle with what to cook mid-week that is tasty and quick…leaving me a bit of extra time up my sleeve for a quick walk or burst of exercise after work.  With the change of season rolling in its getting dark earlier and the lure of a yummy meal after a hard day's work is extremely appealing.

Failing to Plan is Planning to Fail

Thinking of embarking on a new journey of healthy eating and exercise? Guest Blogger Laurinda Howarth (Funfit Ltd) shares some handy tips to get you on your way...