Thank You For Reading!

Made By Neko Mama. Powered by Blogger.

My Favourite Readers


    Thursday, December 29, 2011

    And the Lunch Box is....

    Lunch Box Raid.... I think we have a winner!
    After relentless searching I am going to go with the ECO Lunchbox sets! I found a local company in Ormiston that sells them too, so no wasted packaging on my eco friendly lunch boxes!
    Why did I choose these ones? The stainless steel, the open-ness of the boxes that allowed me to create bentos that some of the others inhibited. The second set is stackable! And the clips look pretty easy for a toddler. (Plus if i get lazy, or if requested, I can fit a whole sandwich!)

    I am still going to go and touchy feel the boxes to make doubly sure it is what I want. The planetbox and Goodbyn were tempting but it is all too seperated! It just would be too difficult to fill some days I think. I am planning on getting both sets, mainly because you need flexibility and options. One lunch box isn't enough, you need a few to play around with. I am a little sad she can't use her cute strawberry bento box, but she'll be old enough to use it soon.

    http://ecolunchboxes.com/product_boxoval.html
    http://ecolunchboxes.com/product_boxsquare.html

    Aren't they cool? Mr N was very unsure about the boxes, mainly because they are 'industrial' looking and are very 'plain and dull'. So I also got to searching and am going to buy some vinyl decals to decorate the lid. Yay! I just won't put the lid in the dishwasher and hand wash the base of the lid.

    I'm feeling very pleased with myself. One down, lots to go!

    xx Neko Mama
    Wednesday, December 28, 2011

    Kindy Preperations!

    Christmas has just come and gone in a whirlwind and now I find myself researching myself stupid looking for sheet sets, uniforms, name labels, backpacks, shoes and worst of all, lunch boxes. 
    Making bento the last few years we have been spoiled with the ability to unpack and repack the bentos. At kindy, they expressed the need for a lunchbox the child can both open and pack away by themselves. After watching my daughter struggle with the usual tiered boxes with elastic bands I knew I was in to find an alternative. And then I got to thinking what would staples be for her lunches, what design flaws are in the mini tiered bento systems? I know they are mainly for rice dishes, so whenever I try and smush cut out sandwiches I never fit enough to cover the same amount of carbs as the rice. So a bento box/lunch box that is square enough to fit a sandwich but spacious enough to allow me to make a bento without it being a sandwich and piece of fruit lunch. 
    I have so far scoured the Internet 2 days in a row searching for the best and most useful one for us. I don't care how much I spend as long as I have something that will last the whole year. 
    If you've followed along you'll see I do have a large looking lunchbox made by Nude Food Movers. These were great, for the first few months. My children only used these one day a week and the hinges broke after a few months. We had 4 boxes total and they are all broken after a year. Disappointed, but at $10 a box maybe I shouldn't complain?

    So here is the list i have compiled. If anyone has any suggestions, reviews, comments on any of these to make my life easier, please let me know!!!!

    Options:
    Laptop lunchbox
    http://www.lunchboxeswithlove.com/lunchboxes/80-bento-system-20-flower.html $50

    Ecolunchbox (2 sizes)
    http://www.shopnaturally.com.au/eco-lunchbox-stainless-steel-lunch-box-2-piece-set-oval-round-bpa-free.html $20

    http://www.shopnaturally.com.au/eco-lunchbox-stainless-steel-lunch-box-3-piece-set-rectangular-bpa-free.html $27

    http://www.babygrowsafe.com.au/ecolunchboxrectangle/prod_233.html $24

    Goodbyn
    http://www.wheredidyougetthat.com.au/p/1127065/goodbyn-lunch-box-pink.html $35.20 after 20% off
    Code SC-BOX

    Nude Food Movers
    http://www.nudefoodmovers.com.au/Range/ $10

    Planet-box
    http://www.planetbox.com/pictures.html $?

    Friday, December 9, 2011

    Cooking Lull

    Don't know about anyone else but I seem to find myself in cooking lulls every now and again. Something will disrupt my normal routine and I get so out of sorts I cannot function properly. Lately I've been working a lot more than I would've liked to as my manager took holidays. So I was working rather irregular hours and more of them. I went from cooking 3 meals a day (yes, cooking for breakfast lunch and dinner) to barely being able to scrap together a decent meal for dinner even on my days off. 
    I get quite disappointed when this happens because I feel like I let my family down. Don't misunderstand me, they still eat. Cereal, toast, spaghetti tins, sandwiches, fish fingers, ol' 3 veg garden salads, store bought biscuits etc. I don't cook them proper meals or snacks. I also understand that this is the norm for most Australian families, but I have noticed when I actually cook and prepare nutritional meals 3 times a day everyone (especially my husband!) feels happier, healthier and more content. As to opposed right now I've got my dirty old grumpy pants on that I get when I've not eaten properly. 

    So enough complaining about it, what am I going to do about it? Right now, not much I can do. We have just done the shopping for the next fortnight without meal planning (another sign of me just not caring!) You know planning ahead is one of the best ways of keeping on track. The amount of mornings lately I've woken up and gone, it's too hard to think of what to make you for lunch hubby, just buy something (OH MY IM HORRIBLE!) But it's honest and it's true. I have to have preprepared at least the rice or defrosted the meat the night before unless I want to be up from 5am making lunch. 
    I assume also silly season is attributing to my lack of concentration and ability to cope. I have hopes of making gingerbread men, gingerbread house, sugar cookies, pavlovas, chocolate mousse tortes, roasts, bakes and more. Without preprep I doubt I'll get anywhere. 

    I guess it's time to stop complaining about my lack of preparation and get to preparing! 

    Nya! =(^_^)= いってらしゃい!

     
    Wednesday, December 7, 2011

    Cleaning Tip #2 - Timers

    Timers can be an excellent tool to help you stay on track! I love my iPhone and the ability to time things. It can really be the difference, for me, of completing something or forgetting altogether!
    Just now I've put the washing machine on, and I know it take 1 hour to do it's cycle. So if I set the timer for 1 hour, I can take the washing out as soon as it finishes! Before realizing I should time the wash I pretty much always forgot about it and would have that damp smell on the clothes which would mean another round in the washing machine.
    If you washing machine is close by, you don't have to worry! But mine is downstairs and I can't hear it!

    Another great timer idea is for spot cleaning. If your anything like me cleaning is a daunting task. I can cook for hours but cleaning, nah uh! So give yourself a time limit, 15 minutes works well, and clean for that time only. When the timer goes off congratulate yourself on a job well done! (even if you didn't finish the task!) A bit done is much better than nothing done at all!

    So give the timer a go! Set yourself a few timer tasks a day. 15 minutes cleaning your bedroom, 15 minutes scrubbing the bathroom, 15 minutes ironing. I know you can do it! After all, 15 minutes is no time at all, I guarantee you'll be pleased with your efforts!

    Nya! =(^_^)= いってらしゃい!
    Saturday, November 26, 2011

    Christmas is looming....

    Yesterday was the 25th of November, which can only mean one thing! A MONTH UNTIL CHRISTMAS!
    Usually I am a bit more prepared but I completely forgot it was so close. Thankfully I did my Christmas shopping for the family in June, I've just got to get a few minor Secret Santa gifts, the Christmas decor and the food of course. Today there was a special parade in our local shopping center to mark the arrival of Santa. There was a 3 peice martching band, bugs bunny, daffy duck, Frosty, Mrs Claus, Elves and Mr Claus himself. Because I was working I asked my lovely husband to bring the children down to see. I was very pleased with him as he doesn't always get 'into' the Christmas thing, and he seemd to genuinly enjoy himself. (hooray!)
    So now my thoughts turn to early christmas preperations. I have a good friend who has made 3 Advent Calendars!!!! I haven't even made one yet! I plan on correcting this before the 1st of December. EEK! Not many days left!!!!
    http://sonicempress.blogspot.com/2011/11/advent-calendar-number-3.html?m=1 (If you want to peek at her latest one!)
    And Ideas to go in these little boxes? I went on a mini shopping spree at the $2 shop across from work. I picked up some really cute goodies! Stamps, cards, pens, patty cake liners, cookie cutters. I'm going to also write little notes in some cluing them into something unable to fit into the boxes like. "Today we put up the Tree!", "Check under your pillows!" (Christmas Pyjamas), "Daddy will put up the lights today", "Lets make some cookies", "Tonight we'll go to a Christmas Play", "Tonight we'll drive around to see the Christmas lights". Etc, etc, etc....
    That's why I need to get this calendar done ASAP. I can do it!

    I hope your Christmas preparations are coming along! Most fun and enjoyable time of the year, but only if you work for it!

    Nya! =(^_^)= いってらしゃい!

    Monday, November 7, 2011

    Happy Birthday to Me

    This little Neko Mama turned one year older! Hooray! I was quite lucky to have a 3 day celebration. Due to work commitments we couldn't go out the night of my birthday, so I rounded up my friends to celebrate on Wednesday instead (Mr Neko's weekend is Thursday and Friday). We went out to town and I did things I haven't done in years! Like visit bars, drink cocktails, dance, sing karaoke and stay up past midnight! (I was very shocked to realise I had made it past 9pm let alone midnight!) Made me feel a lot younger and it was nice to shake off the responsibility hat for a night. We even had the children staying at grandma and grandad's house on 'holiday' so the next morning we got to sleep in and go out for breakfast. Just the two of us, lying in bed at 10am and not having little ones jumping up and down on us. It was peaceful! (Albeit the slight hangover I may or may not have had....)
    So I had a leisurely morning, before heading to work on Thursday evening. Friday was my actual birthday and I was showered with hugs and kisses. We went out to the local shopping center and had a brunch with the family. And we picked up my birthday gift! An iPad 2! ^__^ I'm so very excited and very happy about it!
    Another amazing feat this week has been the sale of my wedding dress! I wasn't overly sure if I did want to sell it so I put an add in the local gumtree just to see what offers we're out there. I guess I just met the right lady and it felt right to sell it to her. I am sure she will be beautiful in the gown and it will hopefully give her lots of luck and blessings. And, to top it all off, all the money I made from my gown is to go towards me. New wardrobe, laser treatments, anything I need to help rebuild myself. (for new readers I've recently had reconstructive surgery and as a bonus had a tummy tuck and breast reduction)

    So here is to another year full of happiness, fun, love, cooking and self awareness!

    xxx
    Sunday, October 30, 2011

    Onigiri and Carrot Kinpira - Bento #5

    A quick whip up for home bento. Pork sausage and carrot kinpira with a lovely looking Onigiri! Even made myself and the children a home meal (not so bento).




    Excuse the mess around the pics, I took them in a hurry as the children were very hungry!
    I should note also, that I do not like sausage at all. So I got left-over pork and tofu meatballs. All recipes you can find on my blog.

    Nya! =(^_^)= いってらしゃい!
    Thursday, October 27, 2011

    First Wedding Anniversary Part 2

    I just wanted to share the few photos of the romantic evening we set for ourselves. We both had to work, so we couldn't go away or go out for dinner. We did our usual Thursday night tradition of husband bringing me dinner at work (i work until late). We sat in the lunch room and had tonkotsu ramen with chicken. It was simple, but we had eachother.

    For a surprise I had used a whole post it note bundle hiding 'love notes' all around the house, and left our bedroom covered in them. He really liked the surprise. He surprised me with an eternity ring. For dessert we ate some of our wedding cake and shared a bottle of wine. It wasn't the fanciest anniversary, but it we made it special and memorable.

    Here are a few photos. We had a lovely day.




    Thursday, October 20, 2011

    First Wedding Anniversary

    Well today is my first wedding anniversary! My husband and I will be together for 5 years come April next year. It's cliche, but it feels like just yesterday we were married, this year has gone so very fast.

    After all this time together, we are still learning and growing as a couple. We've had a few really rough patches though, Christmas time last year my husband was diagnosed with meningitis. We went to hospital early December as my husband had a migraine for almost a week. He was vomiting and could barely eat or drink. I decided I'd had enough watching him suffer and urged him to hospital. After a full day of waiting and testing (including a rather painful lumbar puncture), he was diagnosed with meningitis. They were still undecided whether it was bacterial or viral so they just put him on all the antibiotics just to be on the safe side. I remember seeing him so helpless and lethargic and worried myself sick about him. I had a dr and head nurse warn me that I'd it was bacterial they'd have to quarantine the whole family in hospital for at least 2 weeks (over Christmas). I was set in panic and fear that my husband would die as bacterial meningitis can be fatal. They escalated the situation and quarantined him, making visitors wear face masks, gloves, hairnets, foot covers and aprons. They were worried he might get ill from outside germs which could make him even worse.

    Thankfully, this story has a very happy ending. After almost 2 weeks in hospital my husband came home. He was quite weak for the first few days, but managed to make a full recovery. I couldn't have asked for a better Christmas gift. A healthy husband, and our family together again.

    Then we fast forward to June, where I was told I needed surgery. I had been struggling with back and muscle issues since my gorgeous babies literally destroyed my core. I had been fine working with physio's and plotting along, until I was pulled aside and told things were getting worse. So bad that if I stayed on the course I'd be in a wheelchair or need serious walking aide within 5-10 years. I'd not be able to hold my children, run in the park or function normally. This really shook us all up, and I was in denial for quite a while. I finally agreed to see the surgeon and he urged me to consider a tummy tuck and breast reduction and assured me it would make things a lot easier. This didn't come cheap, even after private health insurance and also Australia's Medicare plan. We had to have surgery, so we had to come up with the money. Thankfully we had fantastic family support and were able to go ahead.

    Fast forward to the day of the operation.... I don't think I could've gone through with it if my husband wasn't by my side. He was all the support I needed getting into the surgery. And when I woke up he was there, whatever time of day or night, he was there to listen. He waited on my hand and foot when I got home. Never got frustrated with my whining, never complained about cooking and cleaning. Just simply did anything he could do to make me feel comfortable. And he has been so supportive since then too. I am only around 10 weeks post op now, so things are still hard. But he is always there, with a listening ear and a kind encouraging word, to keep me on the positive path.

    My husband has been by my side, through good and bad, sickness and health, through fat and thin. I couldn't ask for anyone else, there isn't anyone who could ever replace him. He is my soul mate, my best friend and I am so proud to be his wife.

    Happy Anniversary my Love!
    Tuesday, October 18, 2011

    Niku Soboro and Tamagoyaki - Bento #4

    Technically I made this the same day as Strawberries and Jack-O-Lanterns but I thought it deserved it's own post due to how long it took to make!
    This was a part of my 3 hour cooking marathon! Oh my it was a challenge, but I think I have found some staples for my johbisai. ^__^
    I thought it was very tasty, while hubby thought I may have had too many strong flavours. So while this looks great, I might tone back on all the flavours next time and see how I go.


    Sunday, October 16, 2011

    Strawberries and Jack-O-Lanterns - Bento #3

    Just a very quick update before I go to bed because I am so TIRED! Tonight I decided to tackle a couple of new recipes and I had the time to do so. Monday's are our big days at the moment as both of us work and the children go to Day Care. The only day we're all out of the house. It's a nice transition for next year when my daughter is in Kindy 5 days a fortnight (scary!) What isn't scary is the little ones bentos!



    Saturday, October 15, 2011

    Gorgeous Pork Meatloaf - Mince Challenge #1

    Technically this is an oven-dried tomato, danish feta and pork meatloaf but Gorgeous Pork Meatloaf adequately sums it all up. It is MOIST and simply divine! A must have on your 'to try' list!

    Why meatloaf? Well I have a freezer full of mince and seeing as we've done burgers and meatballs a bit lately I am looking for mince alternatives, part one of my Mince Challenge. Tonight is Meatloaf!

    I have never made meatloaf, although I do remember my mother making it maybe once or twice when I was a child. I do recall not liking it very much though, so I was very hesitant to make my own meatloaf! I searched around the internet and found something that looks really tasty!

    (Finished Product... Doesn't look very tasty at all... But it was delish!)
    Friday, October 14, 2011

    Mince Favourites Challenge!

    I've decided to give myself a Challenge. Something to write about! I don't know about you, but I m sick of boring Mince Meals. So I am determined to find new and exciting ways to use mince. At the moment we're stuck with Spag Bol with jar sauces and... Well... That's about it really? Only recently I've started making burgers and mini meatballs which has been great, but it's not enough variety. We need something more fun! I have AWW Mince Favourites CookBook which I can only anticipate most of the recipes will come from. Thankfully, I already have a freezer full of mince in all varieties so I can get started straight away (hooray!)


    Wednesday, October 12, 2011

    Keep Updated!

    Hello to any readers out there! Just wanted to let you know I've added an 'Email Update' option if you wanted to receive email updates. If you have a Google+ account you can 'follow'.

    Remember to let me know if your reading. Send a comment, tick a box or share a post! I want to hear if I'm being helpful, or if I am missing the mark. Your feedback is important!

    Thank you all!

    Nya! =(^_^)= いってらしゃい!
    Tuesday, October 11, 2011

    Cleaning Tip #1 - Cuppa Tea

    When you need to make a cuppa, theres usually a fair bit of waiting for the kettle to boil. While you wait, why don't you pack or unpack your dishwasher? And if your speedy you'll be done before the kettles done.
    Also, if you have to wait for your tea to cool, continue packing or wiping a bench. That 5-10mins for tea making just gave you 2 benefits! A tidier kitchen AND a hot cup of tea!

    Nya! =(^_^)= いってらしゃい!
    Sunday, October 9, 2011

    Sausage and Rice - Bento #1

    This morning I can be honest, I wasn't planning on making the hubby lunch. I was planning on sleeping in instead! But then Mr decided to make me breakfast, poached eggs and bacon to be exact, and then I couldn't help myself. So this was a last minute idea and only took 20 mins. The longest bit was cooking the rice, and I experimented with only cooking 1/2 cup of rice. It turned out really nicely and was very quick. The only downside was about 1/4 of the rice stuck to the bottom. I think cooking a whole cup is the better way to go, but if your short on time the 1/2 cup works fine (well in my $15 rice cooker from BigW!)





    So we have top tier of rice (I've been asked to scale back the rice as I've been giving him too much. We'll see if this was enough today). I boiled a whole carrot and zucchini then sliced up and laid on top. I sprinkled a bit of salt on top.
    Bottom tier has sliced pork chipolatas/sausages (whatever you'd like to call them) that I gently pan fried with no oil! I covered them with a lid too. I didn't want them to become oily and slimy when he ate them at room temp. The carrot is somewhat of a kinpara but to speed things up I boiled whole before slicing up like 'match sticks'. I didn't have sesame oil so I added some soy sauce and sesame seeds and fried them in with the sausage. I took sausage out then added some honey onto the carrots. So they're somewhat honey soy kinpara carrots.
    There are some beans and cherry tomatoes in there for filler.

    Overall I think a pretty healthy lunch with lots of colour and proportions. For a last minute thing I'm quite impressed with myself!


    Nya! =(^_^)= いってらしゃい!
    Thursday, October 6, 2011

    Favourite Bento Video

    This was the first Bento video/tutorial that I came across and I was in love with the whole concept ever since. Honestly it's been around 2 years since I started my Bento-ing venture. I had an old blog with the 100 bento challenge and I *think* I made it up to 30 before getting quite ill. So that is a fantastic achievement in my book!
    Anyway, back to topic. This is a very simply put full bento prep with ingredients and instruction on how to pack and time. I have not made this exact bento but have taken inspiration and advice from it.

    So without further ado, here it is!
    Cooking With Dog - Bento

    Wednesday, October 5, 2011

    Empty Cupboard Syndrome

    Well today is payday, which means the last day I've shopped for. Which usually means the last legs of the fridge and cupboard. I tend to only buy what we need and use everything I can get my hands on. I didn't photo hubbies lunch because I was in a mad panic to pack, we accidentally slept in and had 15 minutes before he had to leave. Thankfully I did have some leftovers.
    So today it was quite woeful but I still managed to make the family breakfast and pack the man a lunch in 10 minutes.


    Tuesday, October 4, 2011

    Love Bomb Sort-of Day!

    Well I read a lovely article about love bombing (and I can't find it but if I do...) and I have to agree with it completely. Without even realizing it I unintentionally love bomb my children, which I thought was awesome! Not over the top because, they're just 2 & 3, but enough that I think they know I love them to bits. I also feel awesome at the end of the day (albeit a wee bit exhausted!)
    So brief explanation for love bombing, allow your child to dictate and have your full attention for a full day. A day of yes's, a day of no parental distraction whether it's housework, phone calls, work commitments ect. It is the one day to spend completely with your child and exactly how they want to do it.


    Monday, October 3, 2011

    Fasta Pasta

    Today's Lunch was Dino Pasta Salad completely free hand. Although I did hear from day care mum that the children didn't eat it. Strange considering they eat it at home?
    Anyway, here's the 5 lunches I made. My little sister is still visiting so I wanted her to not be left out. It worked out really well as she came to work with me and we had lunch in the food court.
    Sunday, October 2, 2011

    Happy Hubby Secret Recipe!


    This morning I got up early and made my family breakfast. To be honest, I don't feel like reheating pre-made croissants, making tea and cutting up oranges was really 'making' breakfast, but we all ate breakfast together so I am going to count it as a great days start!
    The tea is Irish Cream from Adore Tea and if you can get your hands on it you'll be very happy! I encouraged my husband and little sister to try dipping a bit of croissant into the tea. It was just divine!
    The oranges are there to counter-act the really dry and hot textures you get when eating croissants. I would've died for some strawberries with this, but oranges worked really well!
    Friday, September 30, 2011

    Pamper Puss...

    Today was one of those rare days that you get time to yourself to be completely and utterly selfish. I had bought somewhat of a coupon book before my surgery and had a list of complimentary treatments at a local day spa. Wednesday was a style cut and blow dry, while today was a facial, back massage and manicure. A couple of hours of complete indulgence! I really could get used to that! It was my second facial (ever!) and I do have to admit I was taking mental notes. The only real difference to my normal skin care and a facial is; you don't have to do anything, and; the products used are probably much more concentrated and more expensive than the ones I have at home.

    Thursday, September 29, 2011

    Goals...

    Hi Again,
    Well as I was trying to avoid this post, at least it isn't in the FIRST post right? =(^.^)=
    Why am I blogging? Well, I had this wonderful idea to start up Neko Mama when I just simply couldn't get a little tune out of my head. I'm also very aware of several other blogs which made me think, "I should do that!" I think I have something to share with the world, and if this is where I start, than so be it!
    I love to cook, so I want to share recipes, creations, Bento, Charaben (kyaraben) and anything else food related.
    I love Lolita fashion, so I wanted to share (more specifically for Australians) my 'off-brand' loli finds and hopefully in the not-too-far-off future, maybe even tutorials and patterns to make your own things!
    I love my children, so I wanted to share activities, crafts, nifty hints and tips to make being a mother more fun! Because lets face it, being a mother is very hard work!
    I love my husband! But I don't know how I can translate that to helping you all out. Maybe I could share some bedroom techniques? (Oooooooops.... maybe too naughty for here!) Maybe I can share my housework and organisational techniques?
    I love Japan, so lets share our learning Japanese experience. I have a few tools to help me learn the language I want to share and give a review about.
    I love Technology, Games and Anime! I can share my recent anime series, what i'm playing, what we're playing (my husband and I love to game together!). You know, fun things like that.

    So, I feel I have just cause to open a successful blog. Hopefully my ramblings amuse somebody, as I enjoy reading other peoples point of view and unique aspect on the world.

    Again, let me know if your out there!

    Nya! =(^_^)=   いってらしゃい!

    The Inevitable and Unavoidable "First Post"

    I always find these first posts on blogs very, tedious. Because you see, it is hard to know if anyone in that entire webspace of ours will actually read it. You spend a very large amount of time planning out your brand new blog, choosing your templates, colors, fonts, favicons even. Then you have to actually use the thing.
    So, the inevitable and unavoidable first post comes about. Mostly in my previous blogs i've set out a very long and drawn out, "Welcome to my blog, I hope to do XYZ. I'm excited..." you get the picture. And then after a while, even a few more posts in, you realise that nobody ever goes back to that first post to read it. Nobody looks at the first post to get your introduction.

    So this time, I'm not welcoming anyone, i'm not introducing myself. It's just going to be here. As the first post. And, if you happen to read this, let me know. Doesn't have to be anything intelligent or quirky. Just a "Hey! I read your first post!" would suffice.


    Well I'll let this post end. And contemplate what I'm going to do with this new blog of mine...

    Nya! =(^_^)=   いってらしゃい!