Family Friendly Dining out in Darwin and kids eat free

Kids eat free

Kids eat FREE Darwin! Yes you read that correct! Dining out with the family can quickly become an expensive outing. We have rounded up some great family friendly venues around Darwin, Palmerston and the rural areas which cater for families. Some have playrooms/playgrounds which we have indicated and all have some sort of meal deal for the kids! Kids eat free or other special offers. We hope you enjoy a night out with your family!

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Sanity Saving tips for Meal planning for busy Mums

Why I think meal planning can save your sanity during the week and ultimately save time and money at the same time.

We have all hear about meal planning…..that we “should” do it……BUT

We’ve all been in the grocery store of an afternoon after a full day a work with no clear idea of what we are going to eat for dinner, crowed by tons of other people in the same situation, all starving, looking for what ever is the easiest thing we can go home, quickly cook and eat.

Life doesn’t have to be like this. There is an easier way! Read on for our top tips to meal planning, saving money and helping your diet!

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Kid approved San Chow Bau – quick and easy midweek meal

San Chow Boy

It is a scene that could be in any household across Australia with young kids. The dreaded crazy hours or “witching hours” from about 5 pm to 7 pm. If you are not organised with a meal idea sometimes it can all get too hard very quickly. The kids are having tantrums and having meltdowns left right and centre – everyone is exhausted after a long day and usually you have to try and fit in making dinner in amongst this chaos.

This was my house this week and being school holidays, everyone is that extra bit emotional and tired. I had a brain wave of cooking up a quick and easy dinner – San Chow Bau and thought the kids would love it because they usually love anything eaten with hands (tacos/wraps etc). Keep reading to see the quick ingredients I threw together from my fridge and pantry for my own style San Chow Bau that the kids demolished and had several serves! Kid approved!!

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Mince 3 Ways – Budget Friendly – Family Meal ideas!

Mince 3 ways

Mince. It has to be one of the most budget friendly meats on the market. The premium or homemade mince offers a healthy version for families. Mince 3 ways was a concept I developed when looking at ways to use up leftovers and still have a variety of meals during our week.

As a busy mum, I am always on the lookout for ways to make my life easier and simpler. I was talking to a friend the other day who also has a large family and I asked her what sort of meals she does during the week. She replied she often does a big batch of one meal so it can feed the family for two nights. It got me thinking about this and how I could also implement this without it being the “same meal”. I am also conscious of the amount we spend on our weekly food shop so I am always on the hunt for healthy, easy and nutritious meals for my family that won’t break the bank.
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Yummy Sausage and Veggie Risotto

Sausage and Veggie Risotto

Sausages. Kids seem to love them, but as a Mum there are only so many sausages I can handle in a week. So I am always on the look out for new recipes and here is Darwin Family Life’s newest sausage risotto favourites.

I don’t know about your household, but sometimes we can get in a dinner time rut. You want to try out a new recipe but you may have fussy little ones who a) exclaims “YUK” as soon as a new plate of food is in front of them b) does not want to touch it or c) they push it around their plate and barely want to eat it. Or it could be a combination of all of the above!

In our household we have four little munchkins so this recipe got the tick of approval from all of them (six year old, two four year olds and the one year old). It is full of yummy veggies and got snags so that has got to be a winner with kids right! Our sausage risotto is a proven winning dinner.Continue Reading →