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Online: The Toddler Ingredient

April 12, 2016 by Shari 6 Comments

It’s time for another ‘online’ post. This time I would like to introduce you to Marie from ‘The Toddler Ingredient’. Marie shares awesome kid friendly, healthy recipes on her website and on social media. We are a big fan of her delicious breakfast muffins which she published on her Instagram account and I thought – ‘boy that sounds good, I’d enjoy that let alone the kids’.

The breakfast muffins are super tasty – as well as being refined sugar free, filled with oats, whole meal flour, chia seeds and grated carrot { I grated in a whole bunch of baby carrots from Burrabee Farm}. They are really oaty/nutty in flavour and rather filling.

So without further ado, here is my little interview with Marie from The Toddler Ingredient.

Who is your favourite celebrity chef, and why?

To be honest I have several! I’m one of those mums who is (sadly) addicted to cooking shows and reading cookbooks! I don’t have a particular favourite chef however I do get the most help, inspiration and guidance from Nigella, Donna Hay and Jamie Oliver. They cook everyday foods that are normally simple and fresh.The Toddler Ingredient - Instagram image The Toddler Ingredient - Instagram image

What is one food that you avoid feeding to your children, and why?

The one food I avoid has to be soft drinks and lollies. My son.. Who is now two and a half years old has not had either of these because I simply can not fathom the thought of him consuming such unnatural substances. In saying that, my son certainly has sugar, mostly unrefined though. We don’t always hold back on treats either. So he doesn’t miss out on the “junk” food… Everything in moderation I say.

Why did you start blogging/participating in social media?

To be honest, I started The Toddler Ingredient because I found out I had thyroid issues due to pregnancy. My best friend said to me “Marie, you need to take up a hobby”…. I couldn’t think of anything worse! Was she talking about stamp collecting?? Or reading novels…? I sat and I thought.. What do I love to do the most?! The answer was plain and simple.. To cook!!

Starting The Toddler Ingredient was a way to get me out of thinking about my health… And onto focussing on positive things. Because I focussed so heavily on my business I didn’t have time to dwell on blood tests, specialist appointments and constant check ups. The Toddler Ingredient helped me get “better”. Because of it… My thyroid levels are back to normal now!!

The Toddler Ingredient - Instagram image The Toddler Ingredient - Instagram image

What is one thing that you always said you wouldn’t do when you were a parent – and now it is simply part of your routine?

Co-sleeping!! I used to be rather sceptical about co-sleeping! Sadly… I did judge those parents that would have their child in bed with them. I used to think… “Nope.. A child needs to learn the boundaries….” Blah blah blah!
Now that I have my family… I love co-sleeping. It’s just something we do… Not every night… But we do do it! Particularly now that we have a King size bed haha!

What is your favourite part of motherhood?

I think motherhood is such an honour to experience. I don’t think I have a particular favourite part… It’s all amazing to me. The highs and the lows, together, is what makes it  simply amazing. It makes you stronger and more resilient as a woman I believe.

What is your best ‘inside’ activity for keeping the little ones happy on a rainy day?

Being a school teacher (as well) I enjoy spending one on one time with children, and I choose one of the best schools for them, sending them to the Thrive kindergarten, but when they’re not a school, I have a large stash of games, educational flash cards and picture books that captivate my son. He loves matching single letters of the alphabet to the correct picture cards, reading Spot books, and enhancing his fine motor skills by playing magnets, kinetic sand and puzzles. Perfect activities for rainy days!

The Toddler Ingredient - Instagram image The Toddler Ingredient - Instagram image

What is your best family recipe – that keeps everyone happy at dinner time?

Pasta!!! Yep.. Pretty standard for an Italian family haha. It’s easy and pretty much a staple in our house hold. The best thing about pasta is that you can make different variations of sauces to go with it. From Napoli to Bolognese… To carbonara to an actual pasta bake. It’s great for hiding vegetables in the sauce too. The family love it!

You’re in the supermarket, with a full cart, and your baby starts crying frantically…what do you do?

Start sweating with fear!!
Joking haha… Um that’s tricky because I normally make sure bubs is full, clean and not too tired before we head to the shops. But in saying that anything can change in a split instant. So normally I would use something to distract them while I quickly shop.. For example a toy, sing songs, dummy, anything really!

I’ll often leave the house without it being ‘pristine’, I’m all about making memories with the kids rather then them watching me mop and vacuum. What is you number one tip for keeping the house clean?

Good storage! Having kids consumes so much clutter! Whether it be toys, books, meal time products, tents, ride a long bikes… The list is endless. Good storage helps the process of tidying up mess or clutter much easier. I love large cane baskets (with lids). I have a couple that we purchased from Provincial Living. They look beautiful. And best of all… There are no tacky characters on them which to me, makes a space look clean cut and simple.
Are you addicted to cook books and cooking shows? {I sure am} Do you co-sleep? I have definitely found that good storage is the key to reducing clutter – I may or may not be addicted to storage solutions from K-Mart. I hope that you enjoyed meeting Marie from The Toddler Ingredient.

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Filed Under: motherhood, online Tagged With: celebrity chef, clean house, co-sleeping, Donna Hay, family recipes, healthy recipes, inside activities, instagram, interview, Jamie Oliver, kid friendly recipes, Marie from The Toddler Ingredient, motherhood, Nigella, parenting, social media

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Hi, I’m Shari Wakefield and I am the creative director and social media manager behind the food/lifestyle blog GoodFoodWeek. I’m a mum to four beautiful boys, who spends her days working in corporate communications and her nights cooking up a storm in her kitchen. We reside in Sydney, Australiaread more

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Some of the brands that I have worked with include; Foxtel, Tommee Tippee, Murray Valley Pork, Mater Mothers, Redbelly Citrus, Home Hello, Majestic Mushrooms, and Littlebean Organics.
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GoodFoodWeek started in 2008 as a way of sharing recipes with uni friends and family who were spread near and far. It has evolved over the years to contain my ramblings as I’ve searched for a house, planned the perfect veggie patch, stumbled through farmer’s markets with my eye half open (because you need to be there at 6am to get the fresh eggs), had babies, gathered family and friends around a shared table, laughed out loud and enjoyed life to the fullest! Read More…

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