9 Laundry Hacks That Could Change Your LifeRead More Who knew that becoming a parent would mean you spend 65% of your time washing and organising clothes! We also spend way more money on their clothes than on ours…. Post author By The Mum Club Post date 17 January 2023 No Comments on 9 Laundry Hacks That Could Change Your Life 9 Laundry Hacks That Could Change Your Life Who knew that becoming a parent would mean you spend 65% of your time washing and organising clothes! We also spend way more money on their clothes than on ours. So, when their new very cool sweater gets a stain on it, we’re definitely more annoyed than we should be. However, we are 100%, not the kind of people who know how to get that shit out (actually that’s a lie, Jess, TMC Franchise Coordinator, is!). So we’ve leaned on the expert know-how of the Queen of Clean, Lynsey Crombie. Who is the UK’s No. 1 home & lifestyle expert, best-selling author and successful clean-fluencer (yes that’s a thing!). To bring you, and whoever does the washing, some hopefully life-changing tips. *Oh and there’s also a tip in there from TMC’s Jess. How to wash your clothes better You need to stop using hot water Using hot water? Stop, says Lynsey. “Most baby food stains are protein based so these are pretty easy to get out, but you must always use cold water as hot water will set the stain even further into the fabric. Reverse the garment and flush under a cold tap to push as much of the stain out as you can using just the water.” “Washing up liquid is normally all you need. After the cold flush rub in a few drops of washing up liquid, leave to sit for approx. 15 minutes, rinse, then wash as normal.” “If you are finding that most of the babies’ items are stained and don’t have the time to stand and pre-treat each stain, add into the wash a non bio stain remover, I recommend Astonish OXY active non bio stain remover, with this product you just add a scoop direct to the drum before adding in your laundry.” You don’t need a specific baby wash Lynsey says, “Always use a non bio wash because the stain busting enzymes in bio can be too harsh for babies’ skins. But most brands do a non-bio option and you do not need to go for baby specific brands.” These are the best stain removers Lynsey says, “All stain removers tend to work if you follow the instructions, Vanish just tends to be a higher priced stain remover.” “For stubborn stains that won’t budge I highly recommend use ACE, treat the stain as soon as you can and then wash as normal. Or add in a Oxy Active non bio stain remover to your wash.” How to get the whitest wash Lynsey says, “To achieve the whitest washing use bicarbonate of soda. Put it into each wash and add a big scoop direct to the drum.” Hang your clothes near a window to remove stains Jess, TMC Franchise Coordinator (and also our resident cleaning expert), says, “Hanging your whites in sunlight after you’ve cleaned them helps to get rid of baby poo and tomato stains. The sun acts as a natural bleaching agent as its UV rays break down the stains molecular structure. Obviously far more effective in summer but one I’ve tried and it definitely works.” The best way to remove pen marks Lynsey says, “For felt pens marks, a mixture of washing up liquid and white vinegar will get these out, rub in together and leave to soak.” “For ink, soak in full fat milk overnight and then wash as normal.” Why you should wash baby clothes before they wear them Lynsey says, “Baby clothes can pick up a lot of dust and irritants between the warehouse, the shop, and your home. So, it is a good idea to give them a little refresh as babies have such sensitive skin.” Don’t have time? TMC Editor, Lydia House says, “I definitely did this for my first baby and my mum thought I was mad. However, my son’s skin is very sensitive, so I’m glad I did. I didn’t always do it with my second and he was fine. So if you don’t have time, I wouldn’t stress about it too much. You’ll. know soon enough if your baby is more sensitive than others.” The best way to get out bolognese stains Lynsey says, “As this is a protein stain if treated quick will come out easily with a cold flush and washing up liquid.” Marks on clothes after every wash? This might be why… Lynsey says, “If your washing is coming out of your machine with marks on then this is a sign that your washing machine is not clean, it is very important that we look after and clean the things that clean for us. Clean the machine and also empty and clean the filter, to clean the machine there are many great washing machine cleaners available from the supermarkets such as Dr Beckmann and Vamoosh or you can use soda crystals.” “Don’t forget to take out the drawer and give this a soak.”
TMC Recipe of the Week: Turmeric Golden MilkRead More Recipe and Image from https://foolproofliving.com/turmeric-golden-milk/ Post author By The Mum Club Post date 19 December 2022 No Comments on TMC Recipe of the Week: Turmeric Golden Milk TMC Recipe of the Week: Turmeric Golden Milk Ingredients 2 ½ cups unsweetened and full fat almond or coconut milk 1 stick cinnamon or 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon more as garnish at the end 2 inches fresh turmeric sliced or 1 ½ teaspoon ground turmeric spice 1 inch fresh ginger sliced or ½ teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon coconut oil Pinch black pepper 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey or more to taste Method 1. Place milk, cinnamon stick, turmeric, ginger, coconut oil, and black pepper in a small saucepan. 2. Cook, stirring frequently, until warm but not boiling. 3. Give it a taste and add in your sweetener. 4. If you used fresh turmeric and ginger, strain it to your cups. If not, divide it in two mugs. 5. If preferred, sprinkle with ground cinnamon. Serve. Recipe and Image from https://foolproofliving.com/turmeric-golden-milk/
10 Ways Your Second Pregnancy Could Be Different From Your First.Read More Ding ding, round 2! Whether you loved or loathed your first experience growing a small human, no two pregnancies are the same. The chances are that you might find yourself… Post author By The Mum Club Post date 12 December 2022 No Comments on 10 Ways Your Second Pregnancy Could Be Different From Your First. 10 Ways Your Second Pregnancy Could Be Different From Your First. Ding ding, round 2! Whether you loved or loathed your first experience growing a small human, no two pregnancies are the same. The chances are that you might find yourself feeling completely different with baby no. 2. Here are 10 surprising ways your second pregnancy could be different to your first… 1. You’ll Get a Bump Earlier You might have managed to stay in your normal clothes until 20 weeks with baby no.1 with little more than the tried and tested hairband hack, but we guarantee you’ll be cracking out the maternity jeans the second you pee on the stick this time. Firstly, because your body will ‘remember’ and therefore stretch earlier *read: your stomach muscles are probably fucked* but also because you know the sheer comfort of those stretchy pants rival no others so why the hell not. 2. Morning Sickness Whether you spent your entire first pregnancy with your head down the toilet or sailed through without so much as a dodgy burp, there is zero guarantee that you’ll feel the same this time. It might be because you’re expecting a different gender, or sheer good/bad luck; either way with any luck the worst *should* pass after trimester one. Hang in there Mama. 3. You’ll Feel More Tired The final months of your first pregnancy consisted of yoga sessions, meditation and daily afternoon naps. Between nursery runs and picking up 36797 pieces of lego, this time you’ll be lucky if your first born lets you have as much as 5 minutes a day to pee in peace never mind time to book in for a pregnancy massage. 4. Weight Gain This could swing either way; yes your bump will appear earlier, but if you took ‘eating for two’ a little two literally last time you might find yourself indulging a little less now that the novelty has worn off. Add to that you’ll be chasing after your first born and living off leftover toast and half eaten apples; whatever happens, don’t stress. You’re growing a human being, so cut yourself some slack. 5. Time Goes Faster First Baby: ‘I’m 26 weeks and 3 days today and my baby is the size of a pineapple.’ Second Baby: ‘Babe, can you get the car seat out of the loft? My waters have broken.’ 6. You’ll Feel Them Move Earlier Now this one is actually really nice; due to your now non-existent abs and the fact you know what to look out for, you could feel the baby move as early as 16 weeks this time around. 7. You’ll Be More Relaxed This is not your first rodeo, so chances are you’ll feel less need to Google every niggle or to call triage after the earliest twinge. This also translates post-birth, where most veteran Mums develop a laissez-faire attitude to sterilising dropped dummies and ironing muslin squares. 8. Packing Your Hospital Bag is a Hella Lot Easier We’ve got a feeling that the hands and footprints set we rammed into our suitcase last time might be swapped out for the only essentials you really need; 20 pairs of giant black M&S knickers and a pack of Tena Lady incontinence pants. 9. You’ll Know When You’re Going Into Labour Oh trust us, you’ll KNOW when you’re in labour. Whether you’re booked in for a second section or are waiting for things to kick off on their own; safe to say it will be abundantly obvious having experienced it the first time that it’s the real deal and not just Braxton Hicks. 10. Your Birth Might Be Faster You’d think so, wouldn’t you? Given you’ve already had a practice run, your body *should* know what it’s doing and research shows second births are statistically shorter overall. You might also opt to skip the laminated birth plan and take the drugs the second you arrive on labour ward (or is that just us?)
Why Are My Periods So Painful After Giving Birth?Read More You’ve had your baby, and spent nine months adapting to a gazillion changes, then birth happens, you hit the 4th trimester and a whole load of other experiences occur. Oh, and… Post author By The Mum Club Post date 12 December 2022 No Comments on Why Are My Periods So Painful After Giving Birth? Why Are My Periods So Painful After Giving Birth? You’ve had your baby, and spent nine months adapting to a gazillion changes, then birth happens, you hit the 4th trimester and a whole load of other experiences occur. Oh, and suddenly your period is back! But for some women, the strangest thing is that our familiar ‘time of the month’ can sometimes feel anything but familiar. And lots of mums report that their period is heavier and more painful than before. Sounds like you? Read on to find out why it’s happening and if there’s anything you can do. Why are my periods heavier? If you were taking the pill before you got pregnant, and doing it for a long time, you might have forgotten what it feels like to experience your natural cycle. This is because contraceptive methods can suppress periods and make them lighter and less painful. So, for many who have been on the pill since their late teens or twenties, the discovery of their real cycle can come as a bit of a shock. Plus, changes women experience with their periods post-birth can also be due to a larger uterine cavity, which stretched to grow your baby. As it’s bigger, your uterus now has the capability to produce more endometrium (the mucous you shed during your period). And because there’s more, your cycle can feel heavier and more painful. Can they naturally improve? It’s very common for women to experience a few heavy or irregular periods after giving birth. It is incredibly normal for your cycle to fluctuate in length, time and intensity – especially if you’re breastfeeding. As your uterus begins to shrink back in size your cycle should start to feel more regular. Can I do anything about my heavy periods? Of course, you can buy over the counter painkillers to ease the issue – we don’t need to tell you that. But if you’re finding your period pain really difficult to deal with, it’s time to speak to your doctor. Your GP can check your estrogen levels and see if there’s an imbalance, test you for anaemia, and they can also prescribe you medication to reduce blood loss or increase iron levels. It’s also possible that they will offer treatments to alter your menstrual cycle. Can I try anything natural to help with the pain? Your liver and kidneys are put under a lot of pressure during pregnancy to help your body deal with removing toxins and chemicals. The liver especially, is tasked with detoxifying excess estrogen, which can be responsible for a heavy crampy cycle. So, helping your liver work more efficiently could be another way to help. You can do this by introducing a better variety of foods into your diet, increasing your fibre, staying hydrated and avoiding fatty, sugary and salty foods. If cramping is a real issue, you could be deficient in magnesium, which helps muscles relax and if you experienced restless legs in pregnancy then you will already be acquainted with the benefit of taking this as a supplement. Either way, it’s always a good idea to chat to your doctor first, especially if you’re breastfeeding. Has gaining weight got anything to do with heavier periods? You’re in the minority if you didn’t put on weight in pregnancy or when healing/inhaling cake post-partum, so don’t feel down about it. You just grew a human – so you eat those cookies and celebrate yourself. But yes, it’s true that if you put on some extra pounds, you will produce more estrogen in the new fat cells of your body, and this increased level can have a steer on how long and heavy your periods are. Does everyone experience heavier periods? Like all things pre and post-partum, it completely differs from person to person. You may even feel that your periods are lighter and shorter. When will my periods return? between 6-10 weeks after you give birth. If you’re breastfeeding, then the time it returns can vary as the hormone your body produces (prolactin) can stop you from ovulating and having a period.
TMC Family Recipe of the Week: Healthier Sausage RollsRead More Recipe and Image from Christmas Recipes Archives – My Fussy Eater | Easy Kids Recipes Post author By The Mum Club Post date 12 December 2022 No Comments on TMC Family Recipe of the Week: Healthier Sausage Rolls TMC Family Recipe of the Week: Healthier Sausage Rolls Ingredients spray oil 8 (450g) turkey or chicken sausages 2 tbsp chutney 2 large tortilla wraps 1 medium egg 1 tsp sesame seeds Method 1. Preheat the oven to 200c and line a baking tray with parchment paper. Spray a little oil over the surface of the paper. 2. Remove the sausages from their skins and add to a bowl with the chutney. Mix well. 3. Place one wrap on a chopping board. Take half of the sausage mixture and add it to the wrap, just right of centre. 4. Starting on the right hand side roll the wrap up as tightly as you can, making sure you finish seal side down. 5. Cut off the ends of the wrap then cut into six sausage rolls. 6. Repeat with the other wrap. 7. Place the sausage rolls onto the lined tray. 8. Beat the egg lightly in a cup or bowl and brush over the top of the sausage rolls. 9. Finally sprinkle on the sesame seeds. 10. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes until the sausage rolls are golden brown on top. 11. Leave the sausage rolls to cool for a few minutes before removing and serving. Notes -These sausage rolls are best served warm from the oven but they will keep for up to 3 days in the fridge. You can reheat in the oven for a few minutes. -If you want to get ahead of your Christmas cooking and get these all prepped now then you can make the sausage rolls but instead of baking them, flash freeze them on a tray or plate for a few hours until hard. Then transfer to a freezer bag or container to store in the freezer. When you want to cook them you can bake them directly from frozen. Add them to a lined and greased baking tray, adding an extra 10 minutes approximately to the cooking time. Recipe and Image from Christmas Recipes Archives – My Fussy Eater | Easy Kids Recipes
TMC Family Recipe of the Week: Dairy-Free Banana PorridgeRead More Recipe from https://deliciouslyella.com/ Post author By The Mum Club Post date 12 December 2022 No Comments on TMC Family Recipe of the Week: Dairy-Free Banana Porridge TMC Family Recipe of the Week: Dairy-Free Banana Porridge Ingredients 50g porridge oats 1 ripe banana 1 tablespoon of peanut butter 1 tablespoon of maple syrup 125ml almond milk Method 1. Cut the banana in half and place half of it into a small bowl, mash with a fork. Once soft, spoon the mashed banana into a small pan over a medium heat and add the oats, peanut butter, maple syrup (if using) and almond milk. 2. Cook for 5-10 minutes until steaming and soft – you can add a dash more almond milk if it becomes too thick. 3. Once cooked, spoon the hot porridge into a bowl and top with your favourite toppings – we love to serve this with the other half of the banana, an extra drizzle of peanut butter and a pinch of dairy free choc chips. Recipe from https://deliciouslyella.com/
How To Make Airports And Flying With Children Much Easier!Read More Travelling with babies can be daunting, especially for a first-time mum. But holidays are a chance to get away from the daily grind together and the (good) memories you make will… Post author By The Mum Club Post date 3 October 2022 No Comments on How To Make Airports And Flying With Children Much Easier! How To Make Airports And Flying With Children Much Easier! Travelling with babies can be daunting, especially for a first-time mum. But holidays are a chance to get away from the daily grind together and the (good) memories you make will last a lifetime. Flying is the means to that end – it will get you and your family to your destination in the quickest possible time. And while that’s happening, a drip feed of sugar and screen time is totally acceptable. So rule number one of flight club is to forget about rules and routines. Here’s what TMC never travels without. A Travel Pushchair Even if your child hasn’t been pushed around for a long time: bring one. While baby-free holidays begin with a slow amble around Duty Free, you’ll find that airports suddenly feel so much larger (and you’re so much slower) when there’s a baby or toddler involved. Don’t check in your pram at the front desk, let them know you’ll be taking it with you to the gate – you don’t want to be carrying your child any further than you have to. A Packed Lunch Airports are full of queues: for check in, for security, for the gate. Lining up for food is another queue you can do without, especially when small people are suddenly super hungry. Pack a lunch box, pack snacks and pack some yummy little surprises too. And pack so much more than you think you’ll need; children are happier when they’re well fed, which means you can speed through the airport and put your feet up in a restaurant (for you!) while waiting to board. Lollipops For The Air Babies and small children can struggle with the pressure change created by taking off and landing. Feeding your baby during an ascent or descent can save their little ears from any pain (bottle or boob, either will work). For the older ones, take a lollipop. It really will help no end. A Change Of Clothes And ALL The Nappies Even if you have older children who never spill a thing, pack spare clothes in your carry-on. Take one full set per child, including socks, shoes and even an extra jumper, and if you have a baby, take at least five all-in-ones. If your little one is still in nappies, take plenty of spares – we’ve heard horror stories about being stuck on tarmac for hours and running out. Oh, and consider taking a spare top and pair of leggings for yourself too. If your child ends up covered in sick/poo/orange juice, chances are that you will too. Arts And Crafts No, we’re not suggesting that you travel with half of Hobbycraft, but a shiny new pencil case, some fancy crayons, sparkly stickers, colouring books and a little notebook provides easy entertainment for little ones and gives you a few minutes of precious peace. Home Comforts Children often have a favourite toy, blanket, or special item they need at bedtime. Bring it! It will give them some comfort and security, and might even tempt them to have a little sleep on the plane. A couple of large, light muslins are a great idea for baby too. iPad And Headphones Now is not the time to say no to screens. They can play games, watch the 1000th episode of Peppa Pig, or binge on as many Disney films they want. A jazzy pair of headphones will make them love the iPad even more, and don’t forget to download before you fly. Then, let them at it! Sanitiser, Wipes And Muslins Fact is, children get dirty. It can’t be helped, but you’ll be glad you’ve got something to wipe them down with. A Small Bag Of Toys A few small (and lightweight) toys will keep them entertained if they become restless. Bring a small selection that can be used at the airport, on the plane, by the pool, in a restaurant or in your room: think little toy cars, figurines, or a small amount of Duplo. Books/ Magazines Bring some books from home – even babies will like to look at the pictures, and all children love the familiarity of a well-thumbed book. If you have time, go shopping for a magazine at the airport with your little one. The process will provide much excitement and they’ll love the purchase all the more. So, happy packing, bon voyage and enjoy your holiday! You’ll have adventures you’ll cherish forever, so trust us on this – a holiday is totally worth the flight it takes to get there!
TMC Family Recipe Of The Week: Spaghetti Alla PuttanescaRead More Recipe and image from https://www.alexandradudley.com/ Post author By The Mum Club Post date 5 September 2022 TMC Family Recipe Of The Week: Spaghetti Alla Puttanesca Recipe 4 garlic cloves 3tbsp olive oil 2tsp chilli flakes 140g pitted olives 2 tbsp capers 8 anchovies x2 400g cans chopped tomatoes Tsp salt 2 tsp sugar 360g spaghetti Method Peel and finely chop the garlic. Roughly chop the olives and capers and finely chop the anchovies. Add the olive oil to a wide deep frying pan and cook the chopped garlic gently until sizzling. Take care not to burn it. Add the chilli flakes, olives, capers and anchovies and cook for a minute. Add the chopped tomatoes, salt and sugar and cook gently for about 10 minutes until the sauce has thickened slightly. Season to taste. Cook the spaghetti according to instructions, stir through the sauce and serve. I like to pile the spaghetti onto a platter and let everyone help themselves at the table. You can add fresh parsley if you like but I like this just as it is. Recipe and image from https://www.alexandradudley.com/
TMC Family Recipe of The Week: Granola barsRead More Recipe & image from Jamieoliver.com Post author By The Mum Club Post date 25 August 2022 TMC Family Recipe of The Week: Granola bars Recipe: Vegetable oil 75 g blanched almonds 250 g rolled oats 40 g sunflower seeds , or pumpkin seeds 100 g runny honey 6 tablespoons smooth peanut butter , or almond butter 10 Medjool dates , (stone in) 40 g bran 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 pinch of sea salt 50 g sour cherries , or dried cranberries 50 g dried apricots Method: Preheat the oven to 180ºC/350ºF/gas 4. Lightly grease a 22cm-square baking dish with oil, then set aside. Roughly chop and add the almonds to a large baking tray with the oats and seeds. Spread them out into an even layer and place in the hot oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until golden, stirring halfway through. Gently heat the honey and nut butter in a small pan over a low heat. Meanwhile, slit open the dates, pull out and discard the stones, then place into a blender with 100ml of warm water. Blitz to a paste, stir into the warmed honey mixture, then leave to cool. Transfer the toasted oat mixture to a large bowl with the bran, cinnamon and salt. Roughly chop and stir in the dried fruit, then mix in the honey mixture until well combined. Spoon it into the prepared baking dish, using the back of a spoon to press it into an even layer. Bake in the hot oven for 15 minutes, or until golden and set. Leave to cool slightly, turn it out onto a board and cut into squares, then set aside to cool completely. Store in an airtight container. Recipe & image from Jamieoliver.com
TMC Family Recipe Of The Week: Sausage Bake With GnocchiRead More Recipe found on https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/sausage_and_gnocchi_bake_80924 Post author By The Mum Club Post date 15 August 2022 TMC Family Recipe Of The Week: Sausage Bake With Gnocchi Ingredients 1 red pepper, deseeded and cut into chunks 1 yellow pepper, deseeded and cut into chunks 1 orange pepper, deseeded and cut into chunks 250g gnocchi 1 tbsp olive oil 4 pork sausages Salt and freshly ground black pepper Method 1.Preheat the oven to 200C/180C Fan/Gas 6. Toss together the peppers, gnocchi, olive oil and a generous amount of salt and pepper on a large baking tray. Place the sausages on the tray. Roast for 25 minutes, or until the sausages and gnocchi are golden-brown and the peppers are soft and have started to brown around the edges. Serve. Recipe found on https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/sausage_and_gnocchi_bake_80924
