Welcome to another Weekly Chilli Kids Hot Spot News.

It’s just over 2 weeks until the Sawtell Chilli Festival, Saturday 6th July.

In BIG news this week! Coffs for Kids is going to be inside the Chilli Kids Hotspot with FREE temporary tattoos (like the ones pictured). Come and find us and say hi!

Nominations have been EXTENDED until Monday 1st July for the Community Kids Award 2013. Click here to find out more. We’d love to hear from you if you know of a primary school aged child who deserves recognition for something special they have done at home, school or within the local community.

We have also extended the deadline for the Colouring-In comp. You can now hand your entries into Baby Bella or The Wholly Cow before the Chilli Fest or at Chilli Festival on the day. You can also download a copy of the Telstra Colouring-in Competition. There are 3 ages groups and 3 prizes for each age group! Fantastic! Click here for more information.

Thanks to Beth from Coffs Harbour Fitness Studio for writing this guest post…

My name is Beth and I am very proud to be a 40 year old Mummy to two wonderful girls and also very proud to be a Fitness Trainer.  I love being fit and healthy and I love that I can set my girls a good example.

However, this hasn’t always been the case.  I was an active teenager and pretty good at running but somewhere around my late teens, I stopped all activity and other than the occasional intermittent bursts of attempting to get fit again, I pretty much did nothing for approximately 15 years.

Then at the age of 32 I found myself pregnant and somehow learned the skill of eating too much whilst feeling sick at the same time.  Yes…. morning sickness 24 hours a day up to 20 weeks and I still managed to gain weight – incredible!  After sickness subsided, I decided to ignore all the warnings about NOT ‘eating for two” and had me and my body a little food fest party… which lasted several weeks!  I have never been one for unhealthy food, but massive portions of home cooked, carbohydrate laden delights was leading me to a very hefty weight gain, whilst telling myself I could just lose it again after baby was born – yeah, right!

But luckily fortune came to rescue me as around twenty eight weeks, I was diagnosed as having gestational diabetes.  All due to my love of Spag Bol and Magnum Ice Creams!!

I was sent to see a dietician and was shocked at how little food I was going to be permitted to eat…. surely no one could really eat those tiny portions…. EVERY day???  I was also given a little kit and had to finger prick and test my blood three times a day and record for the Doctor to see and check.  This showed me how high my blood sugar levels were and I soon began to realise there was no getting out of this…. I was going to have to stick to the miniscule eating plan or it would be there in ‘blood and white’ what a greedy guts I had become.

The result?  I lost six kilos in two weeks whilst I was pregnant – all unnecessary body fat!  By the end of my term of pregnancy my overall weight gain was 10 kilos, which is a healthy amount and other than the baby bump, I was much slimmer than when I first fell pregnant.  Most importantly, my little baby girl was healthy and I had gained new eating habits and had a far better understanding of how I should be treating my body.

Pregnancy number two came along and my diabetes check was negative.  All due to portion control and consistent exercise!  I had taken up running again in between pregnancies and when running became too much for my body, I found a gym and trained on the Cross-trainer right up to a day or two before birth.  I then became a bit of a gym junkie which eventually led to me qualifying as a Personal Trainer.

I just love fitness – it has so many benefits!  For me personally, Gestational Diabetes saved me from becoming overweight, feeling crappy about myself and probably gaining depression.  What kind of example would that have been to my girls… I shudder to think.

I now own and operate Coffs Harbour Fitness Studio and provide fitness sessions for Mums and babies/children can come too.  Mums on the Run is a Fun, Outdoor, Fitness Group and we train four mornings a week at The Botanical Gardens in Coffs Harbour.

Contact beth@chfitnessstudio.com.au or 0408 270 447 or Like our Facebook Page Coffs Harbour Fitness Studio.

For information on Gestational Diabetes check out http://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/living-with-diabetes/gestational-diabetes/

We have such a great variety of classes and activites for our kids in Coffs Harbour, here are some of our supporters. Enrollments are being taken now for Term 3, 2013.

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Kanga Kidz is Coffs Harbour largest and most reputable multi sport and exercise program for preschoolers (aged 2.5-5years)

Introduces children to a variety of nine different sports in a structured, safe environment - Hockey, T-ball, Soccer, Tennis, Athletics, Cricket, Basketball, Football & Golf.

Term 3 starts Monday 22nd July. Click here for more info.

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Our lessons include: Pre-School Hot Shots (3-5yrs), PeeWee Hot Shots (5-7yrs), Hot Shot Development Group (7-15yrs), Holiday Clinics (3-16yrs), Squads, Private Lessons (children or adults), ladies tennis groups, adult group lessons, Cardio tennis, social tennis and kids fitness sessions.

Click here for more info.

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Yoga and Zumba classes for Toddler (18mths – 3 yrs), Pre-Kindy (3-5yr olds), Kids (5-8yrs) and older kids (9-13yrs) held on TUESDAYS.

Click here to see Term 3 flyer.

Contact: Carla 0412 930 064

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Come along to Mini GymbaROO Coffs Harbour to have lots of fun with your infant and child while learning about early childhood development.

Classes available: BabyROO classes (mobile and non-mobile babies), Penguins/Koalas (1-2yrs) and
Wallabies/Kangaroos (2-3yrs).

Contact: Camilla 0410 231 422

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Kids Art Club

On Saturdays at the Coffs Harbour Regional Art Gallery. Art classes for 7-12yr olds and 13-15yr olds.

CLICK HERE to see flyer.

Contact Inger for  more information: 043 991 2779 or click here for website.

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Fast N fun program is for kids age 5-8 and i work on gross motor skills, balance , and co ordination i use fun games to replicate correct running technique.  Fast N fit program is for kids age 9-13 and is specific speed and agility work for the childs chosen sport.

www.fasttrackfeet.com.au

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Go4Fun registrations for Term 3 are open!!!

Call 1800 780 900 to register NOW!

Places are limited, so be sure to get in before they all fill up.

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Welcome to our guide to the upcoming weekly events for the Coffs Coast … if you know of an event not listed please email alison@coffsforkids.com. You can also check our calendar for events on the Coffs Coast for families and kids.

Please note: there are a number of Playgroups in our area operating weekly. You can click here to find your nearest with contact details and more information.

Monday

10.30am – Bring your Bub to Birch, Carroll and Coyle. This week – “Fast & The Furious 6”. All tickets $10, kids under 4yrs free.

10.30am – Playgroup at  Tabatinga FREE with entry.

Tuesday

10.30am – Playgroup at  Tabatinga FREE with entry.

11am – 11.45am – Woolgoogla Library: Storytime for pre-school aged children.

Wednesday

10.30am – Playgroup at  Tabatinga FREE with entry.

11am – 11.45am - Coffs Harbour Library: Storytime for pre-school aged children.

12.30pm – Bring your Bub to Birch, Carroll and Coyle. This week – “Fast & The Furious 6”. All tickets $10, kids under 4yrs free.

Thursday

8am – 3.30pm – COFFS COAST GROWERS MARKET.   Local & regional produce, home-made treats for all to enjoy! Everything from fresh fruit & veg, seafood, bread, cakes, meat, flowers and plants, jams and condiments, roasted coffee, tea, nuts, olives, smallgoods and more.

10.30am – Playgroup at  Tabatinga FREE with entry.

11am – 11.45am – Toormina Library: Storytime for pre-school aged children.

Friday

10.30am – Bring your Bub to Birch, Carroll and Coyle. This week – “The Internship”. All tickets $10, kids under 4yrs free.

10.30am – Playgroup at  Tabatinga FREE with entry

7pm – Big Banana Superhero Ice-skating party. Come as your favourite game character or superhero. All ages.

Sunday

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ON THIS WEEKEND AT BIRCH, CARROLL & COYLE COFFS HARBOUR:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks to Tanya from Tootle for Toddlers for writing this guest post…

When it came to my youngest sons birthday I wanted him to be able to take something into preschool to share with his friends.  I had to bear in mind that there are many children with allergies and lets face it, a container full of icing coated cupcakes isn’t sending the healthiest message to our toddlers.

I decided that I would make a “cake” from a watermelon, I had carved one into a dinosaur head and filled it with fruit for a previous party so my creative mind was set in motion and I thought “seriously how hard can it be”!

At first I was going to make a school bus, quite fitting as he was taking it to school, but a little boring all the same.  It was then that the lightbulb turned on – Fire Trucks are red and surely all little boys love Fire Trucks.

I bought a whole watermelon and chopped the bottom so that it was flat and then cut the sides so that I was left with a brick shaped chunk of watermelon.  I removed a slice so that the front cabin was formed and then embellished it with other fruits, kiwi for the wheels, rock melon for the windows and pretzels for the ladder on top.  Half a banana with blueberries and grapes formed the lights and a couple of slithers of watermelon skin finished it off with windscreen wipers (yes I know these aren’t edible).

My boys helped with the creation offering words of encouragement “wow mum how did you do that” It was a big hit at school and I received lots of lovely feedback through my facebook page, and so when asked to share my creation in a guest blog I decided to attempt something for the little girls parties out there, I was pushed for time but think that this little princess carriage would also be a winner.  It shows that fruit can be made into whatever your imagination decides, why not grab yourself a watermelon and get creating for your next party/bbq.

The food picks and shape cutters are available from my website www.tootle.com.au

Tanya is a local Mum and owns www.tootle.com.au , which does not only sell fantastic little backpacks specially designed for toddlers but has heaps of great recipes and activities as well. Make sure you have a look at the website and Facebook page.

Welcome to another Weekly Chilli Kids Hot Spot News.

It’s just over 3 weeks until the Sawtell Chilli Festival, Saturday 6th July.

Nominations close 24th June for the Community Kids Award 2013. Click here to find out more. We’d love to hear from you if you know of a primary school aged child who deserves recognition for something special they have done at home, school or within the local community.

Don’t forget to download a copy of the Telstra Colouring-in Competition. There are 3 ages groups and 3 prizes for each age group! Fantastic! Click here for more information.

The Entertainment Program has just been released – click here to see it in a larger format (or below).

Don’t forget there are lots of other things going on at the Chilli Kids Hotspot – we will give you the full rundown closer to the day.

Can’t wait!!

Coffs for Kids would like to welcome Emma Caller as our newest contributor! Emma will be doing a Thursday night weekly Facebook post as well as a blog post once a month. It’s great to have Emma on board. Like Essential Health on Facebook or better still, drop in and say hi – it’s a beautiful store.

So who is Emma Caller aka Emma the Naturopath?

I remember sitting on the floor in a circle in grade one at Sandy Beach Primary and being asked what we wanted to be when we grew up. Popular answers included ‘fireman’ and ‘princess’, but when it came to my turn, I told the class that I wanted to be a naturopath.

Fast forward 18 years to 2009…

I graduated from the Australian College of Natural Medicine with a Bachelor of Health Science majoring in Nutritional Medicine and an Advanced Diploma of Naturopathy. Which is just a fancy way of saying I’m a naturopath and nutritionist!

The next chapter

One week after my last exam I bought my family’s health food shop Essential Health which is a beacon of fresh air amongst all the franchises in town. When I’m doing consults on a Thursday and Friday, Vanessa Vidler, is my wonderful naturopath who takes over the show.

Eczema? Acne? Let me at it!

I have a consultation room inside the shop called The Essential Health Clinic where I help people with all sorts health issues but I looooove dermatology: acne, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, autoimmune skin conditions, etc.

Why am I different?

I’m not your run of the mill naturopath. I don’t over prescribe supplements or put people on restrictive diets. I love the Hippocrates quote “Let your food be your medicine” so I try to encourage people to get their nutrients out of their diet. I want to help people take health out of the “too hard” basket by making it simple and fun. Wellbeing is about getting back to basics, which means a balanced diet and also a balanced lifestyle that brings you happiness.

What is the best thing about your job?

Everything!

Emma the Naturopath xx

Phone: 0266 514 533

Email: carrots_and_apples@hotmail.com

Facebook: Essential Health Coffs

Welcome to our guide to the upcoming weekly events for the Coffs Coast … if you know of an event not listed please email alison@coffsforkids.com. You can also check our calendar for events on the Coffs Coast for families and kids.

Please note: there are a number of Playgroups in our area operating weekly. You can click here to find your nearest with contact details and more information.

Monday

10am-4pm – Orara Valley Fair. The day features country-flavoured live entertainment, stalls, children’s races, games and rides, displays and demonstrations in a rural recreation reserve located on the banks of the picturesque Orara River.

10.30am – Bring your Bub to Birch, Carroll and Coyle. This week – “The Great Gatsby”. All tickets $10, kids under 4yrs free.

10.30am – Playgroup at  Tabatinga FREE with entry.

Tuesday

10.30am – Playgroup at  Tabatinga FREE with entry.

11am – 11.45am – Woolgoogla Library: Special storytime for pre-school aged children – National Pyjama Day. Wear your PJs, bring your teddy and share stories.

Wednesday

10.30am – Playgroup at  Tabatinga FREE with entry.

11am – 11.45am - Coffs Harbour Library: Special storytime for pre-school aged children – National Pyjama Day. Wear your PJs, bring your teddy and share stories.

12.30pm – Bring your Bub to Birch, Carroll and Coyle. This week – “The Great Gatsby”. All tickets $10, kids under 4yrs free.

Thursday

8am – 3.30pm – COFFS COAST GROWERS MARKET.   Local & regional produce, home-made treats for all to enjoy! Everything from fresh fruit & veg, seafood, bread, cakes, meat, flowers and plants, jams and condiments, roasted coffee, tea, nuts, olives, smallgoods and more.

10.30am – Playgroup at  Tabatinga FREE with entry.

11am – 11.45am – Toormina Library: Special storytime for pre-school aged children – National Pyjama Day. Wear your PJs, bring your teddy and share stories.

Friday

10.30am – Bring your Bub to Birch, Carroll and Coyle. This week – “Fast & The Furious 6”. All tickets $10, kids under 4yrs free.

10.30am – Playgroup at  Tabatinga FREE with entry

Saturday

Bellingen Crazy Day. Lots of specials and entertainment for the whole family. Bellingen Markets are also on today as well.

Sunday

11am – 3pm: Family Picnic Day at the Botanic Gardens to celebrate refugee week. BYO picnic rug and sit and enjoy entertainment, a fashion parade, face-painting and heaps more!

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