The best advice my dad gave me: Annaliese Allen

“The best thing my dad taught me was that men and women are equal. That I could do anything I wanted to do. That I could be the very best at anything I worked hard for. 
My mother passed when I was young, so Dad played both roles. There were no stereotypes of what a father or mother was supposed to be. My ambition, my drive, my competitiveness are all traits Dad embraces and encourages – I think he sees himself in me. This, probably accidental, feminism has allowed me to soar. And for that, I am forever thankful.”

Annaliese Allen is a Melbourne mother of two, corporate accountant turned entrepreneur and Honeybell Waterwear founder. Honeybell Waterwear retails contemporary rashies, cover ups and resort wear for women. Check out the Honeybell range here: www.honeybell.love

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The best advice my dad gave me: Gene Caballero

“Best lesson I ever learned from my dad was work ethic. Being an successful entrepreneur himself, he taught me that it doesn’t take the smartest individual to make a difference but the one who works the hardest will always come out on top.”

His favorite quote was:

“There are 3 8-hour work days in one 24 hour day. Pick which two you want to work and you will be successful.”


Gene Caballero is co-founder of GreenPal which has been described as Uber for lawn care. Learn more about GreenPal at www.yourgreenpal.com

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Who’s your Daddy? Father’s Day Gift Ideas

Mr Gift Father's Day 2016
Who’s your Daddy? 
We have gifts for every “Daddy” this Father’s Day,
Sunday 4th September

Every dad is different. Some dads love getting outdoors in the garden or playing sport, others prefer relaxing with a beer or book. Mr Gift has gifts to suit every dad – here’s a taster of some of our favourites below…

FOR YOU: Here’s a $20 Discount Voucher. To redeem your $20 voucher, simply enter Discount Code DAD in the Discount Code field when you place your order (product total must amount to $20 for voucher to work). You’re welcome to use this yourself, or pass onto someone else you know who might enjoy using it. Voucher is valid until midnight Sunday 4/9/2016.

Here are a few of our favourite gift ideas for dads

Metal Detector
1. GADGET-LOVING DADS
eg. Metal Detector (easy-build) $29.95 
Who hasn’t dreamed of finding buried treasure? Guys of all ages will love this cool gadget that they can build themselves.
 
Sow n' Sow seeds
2. GARDENING DADS
eg. Sow n’ Sow Seeds $9.95 each or 2 for $15
Spring is the perfect time of year to get out in the garden and grow some new plants from seed. Garden-enthusiast dads will love the selection of Sow n’ Sow seeds, including Australian natives.
 
Gentlemen's Hardware Bicycle Repair Kit
3. “MAMIL (Middle-aged Man in Lycra)” DADS
eg. Gentlemen’s Hardware Bicycle Repair Kit $23.95 
If his bike is his ‘prized possession’, and he’s not afraid to don a bit of Lycra, then this gift is for him! These repair kits are also handy for casual riders – no one likes a puncture!. 
Man Law BBQ Grill Light
4. ‘KING OF THE BBQ DADS
eg. MAN LAW BBQ Grill Light $39.95
This handy BBQ Grill Light means that dad can still BBQ even after the sun goes down.

 

The Game leather cricket wallet
5. SPORT-OBSESSED DADS
eg. ‘The Game’ Leather Cricket Wallet $129
The must-have accessory for every cricket-loving dad, The Game Wallet features unique stitching inspired by the iconic cricket ball.
 
Work Hard Play Hard Cufflinks
6. HARD-WORKING DADS
eg. Work Hard Play Hard Cufflinks $19.95
Essential cufflinks for dads who like to keep life in perspective, and enjoy their leisure time as much as their work time. 
Luggage tag
7. TRAVELLING DADS
eg. Metal Luggage Tag from $59.95
This handmade luggage tag is a gorgeous keepsake for any dad who travels frequently to remind him of home. Features a quote from the movie Cloud Atlas,“Travel far enough, you meet yourself”. Available in copper, bronze or stainless steel.  
Fishing lure
8. FISHING DADS
eg. Fishing Lure from $44.95
This handmade fishing lure is a special gift for dads who are fanatical about fishing. Features inscription: “Hooked on you”. The fish will love it too! Available in copper, bronze or stainless steel.  
Golf marker
9. GOLFING DADS
eg. Golf Marker from $39.95
This handmade snazzy golf marker will spark some interesting conversation on the golf course. Features the inscription: “Golf. All the other 4 letter words were taken”. Available in copper, bronze and stainless steel. 
Boheme Hombre Messenger Leather Satchel
10. STYLISH DADS
eg. Boheme Hombre Messenger Leather Satchel $249.95
A smart satchel maketh the man. This timeless leather satchel will stand the test of time when it comes to style and quality. 
Father’s Day is special because…

“Raising a family can be tough sometimes, and every parent likes to feel appreciated. Most of the dads I know hit the ground running as soon as they get home from work. They barely take off their jacket before they’re helping bath the kids and get them ready for bed, dinner, etc. Father’s Day is a great opportunity to reflect on all the things – big and small – that dads do for their family throughout the year.” Jorgan Symes, Mr Gift co-founder

“What would we do without dads? Who would fix the car, lift heavy stuff, remove spiders from the house, take lids off jars, mow the lawn, and more? We reckon dads are super and deserve our appreciation for all the little things they do (that often get overlooked throughout the year). This year we challenge you to make dad feel less like an ‘unsung hero’ and more like a ‘superhero’!” Courtney Symes, Mr Gift co-founder

Happy Father’s Day!

Wishing all dads a very happy Father’s Day 2015 – we hope you have a wonderful day with family and friends!

“I have found the best way to give advice to your children is to find out what they want and then advise them to do it.” 
Harry S. Truman

Five reasons to get out in the garden this spring…

Five reasons to get out in the garden this Spring
Gardening is good for you.
Fresh air, exercise, Vitamin D, stress-relief, as well as the satisfaction of growing your own produce, are just some of the benefits. If you need any more convincing, here are five great products that help make gardening easy and fun…

We’re also offering FREE DELIVERY on all orders from now until Father’s Day (midnight Saturday 5/9/15).  

Use Discount Code DAD in the Discount Code field when you place your order.  

This offer can’t be used in conjunction with other offers, or redeemed for cash. But please feel free to share with family and friends:)

The Little Veggie Patch Co Guide to Backyard Farming
1. You don’t have to know what you’re doing
That’s where books like The Little Veggie Patch Co’s Guide to Backyard Farming come in handy. Exploring the garden month-by-month, this book details what’s happening in the garden each month, including which veggies, fruit and herbs you should be planting and harvestingThere are also delicious seasonal recipesusing produce – try the Haloumi, Asparagus and Roasted Tomato Salad or the Beetroot and Chocolate Cake.
Grow Bags
2. You don’t need much space
You don’t need a large garden or backyard to grow plants. These Grow Bags are ideal for balconies, patios or small courtyards and have a lovely natural, organic look. 
Sneeboer Great Dixter Trowel
3. Make life easier with the right tools for the job
The Sneeboer Great Dixter Trowel has a strong, narrow blade that is ideal for transplanting seedlings (especially plants with long roots) and working in narrow spaces between other plants.   
Tweet Bird House
4. Make friends with your local wildlife
Spring-time flowering plants attract more birds and insects to your garden. You can encourage these little visitors with a cute Bird Houselike this one…
Burgon and Ball Herb Dryer
5. Make the most of your home-grown produce
There’s nothing more rewarding than using the produce you’ve grown. But sometimes it’s easy to produce more than we can consume. This is where drying and preserving produce comes in handy, especially herbs. The Burgon and Ball Herb Dryer will ensure that you have tasty dried herbs to flavour your cooking throughout the year.  

The best advice my dad gave me: Theresa Charles, Gidgee Baskets

Theresa Charles shares her dad’s wise words in our latest installment of The best advice my dad gave me…

“The best thing my dad taught me was to show compassion for others, to never judge a book by its cover and two wrongs never make a right. My father believed in me, and loved me unconditionally and that’s the greatest gift he could ever give me. He passed away before I had my children and a day doesn’t go by that I wish he was here. My sister and I had engraved on his headstone ‘you are our world, and the love of our life’.”



Theresa is a wife, mother of 4, nurse, retailer and most recently author. “I live in a far north Queensland town, and as with all small communities it has it ups and downs but even after backpacking around the world (before children), it is always great to come home,” says Theresa.   

Theresa’s business is Gidgee Baskets, which can be found here: www.gidgeebaskets.com or on Facebook. She has also written a book – Fine Wine and a Midlife crisis by Tara Freeman

Father’s Day Recipe: Prawn and Ginger Dumplings

The below recipe is one of Tristram Morgan’s family favourites. It has been adjusted and tweaked over the years to get it just right. “I originally made some pork dumplings from a recipe in an Asian cookbook, but have gradually tried new ingredients and have arrived at this combination,” says Tristram.

Ingredients:

  • 2 packets of gow gee dumpling or wanton wrappers
  • 500g green (raw) prawn meat
  • 300g wombok (Chinese cabba ge) or bok choy/choy sum etc.
  • 200g bamboo shoot slices or chunks
  • 2 spring onions (green onions/eschallots)
  • 1 piece ginger 3cm x 3cm
  • 2 tbsp fish sauce (or light soy sauce)
  • 3 tsp sesame oil


Dipping Sauce

  • 3 tbsp light soy sauce
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp chilli oil
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 spring onion (green onion/eschallot)
Tristram Morgan’s Prawn and Ginger Dumplings – a delicious and healthy Father’s Day treat

Method:

1. Finely chop or mince the garlic cloves and spring onion for the dipping sauce. Mix all of the other ingredients together in a small dipping bowl and add the garlic and spring onion, stir well and set aside.

2. Finely chop or mince the prawn meat in a food processor (pulse until chopped but don’t overdo it) and place in a large mixing bowl. 

3. Shred the wombok or Chinese greens thinly, then chop into small pieces and add to the prawn mince.

4. Finely chop the bamboo shoots and add to the mixture.

5. Use a fine grater to mince the ginger and add it to the mixture.

6. Add the fish sauce or soy sauce and the sesame oil, and mix it all together thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly distributed (your hands are best for this).

7. Place a teaspoon of the mixture into the middle of a gow gee dumpling or wanton wrapper, wet the edge on one side with water and fold the two edges towards each other and press together firmly to seal. Repeat until the mixture is used up (probably 1 and ½ packets or wrappers). 

8. You can either steam the dumplings over a pan of water (line a bamboo or steel steamer with baking paper to stop them sticking – keep them separated or they will stick together!) or shallow fry the dumplings in small batches (a wok is best, but a frying pan will do), depending on your preference. They will cook in about 3-5 minutes depending on temperature and the number of dumplings you cook at one time.

9. Keep cooked dumplings warm on a baking tray in a very low oven (if steamed, covered in foil to prevent drying out). When all are cooked, serve with the dipping sauce.

Make an Impact Clothing by Tristram Morgan



This recipe was kindly shared with us by Tristram Morgan. Tristram is a keen amateur cook with a special interest in South-east Asian cuisine. Tristram’s business, Make an Impact Clothing is an ethical and sustainable clothing company using organic cotton and other environmentally friendly fibres, with no sweatshop labour or exploitative employment practices. Check out the range here: www.makeanimpactclothing.com.au

Thursday thought…

“I believe that what we become depends on what our fathers teach us at odd moments, when they aren’t trying to teach us.” 
Umberto Eco

The best advice my dad gave me: Sue Rittmeyer, Safe Solutions In-home Care

Sue Rittmeyer shares her dad’s wise words in our latest installment of The best advice my dad gave me

“Stay true to myself and remember that once said and done something can’t be undone and to remember that I have to wake up each day and live with myself.”


Sue Rittmeyer is a registered nurse who is passionate about supporting, adding value and comfort to people in times of need. Learn more about what Sue does here: www.safesolutionsinhomecare.com.au