My 5 Must-Haves for Winter
I don’t know about you, but I love hearing about other people’s “must-haves.” Let’s be real—I don’t have the time (or energy) to try everything out myself. I rely on people sharing what works for them, and in return, I thought I’d share what’s been keeping me going this winter.
Now, I know winter is officially over in less than two weeks, but let’s be honest—this is Melbourne. The cold isn’t going anywhere fast. So here are the five things that have gotten me through the chilly months.
Raising an autistic child has pushed my nervous system to its absolute limits more times than I can count. Baths have become my therapy—water just shy of boiling, steam everywhere, and me sinking into it like I never want to leave. But the real magic? Magnesium chloride flakes.
I use Blants because their products are clean—no additives, no fillers, no nasties. Just pure goodness. Here’s why I swear by them:
- They restore magnesium levels (and let’s be honest, most women are running low).
- They ease the muscle aches from sleepless nights or lugging around kids who are well past toddler size.
- They calm stress, improve sleep, and even help skin health (because no, I don’t need people asking me if I’m sick when I go makeup-free).
- They’re even recommended by naturopaths and biomedical doctors to support detox when added to kids’ baths.
Basically, it’s like sinking into a reset button.
This chocolate bar is everything. It tastes exactly like a Cherry Ripe—but without the sugar crash. It’s vegan, which is great if that matters to you, but trust me, even the most die-hard meat eater will love it.
The catch? It’s pricey. I usually wait until it’s on sale and stockpile like a squirrel. But when life feels like it’s spiraling and you just need a sweet moment that won’t make you feel worse, this is the bar to reach for.
Golden kiwis are hands-down my favourite winter fruit. They’re sweet, refreshing, and the perfect fix when I’m craving sugar. I usually buy them in bulk from Costco and pair them with an orange for a makeshift dessert.
The bonus? They’re loaded with Vitamin C and naturally contain melatonin and serotonin, which promote sleep. I don’t know the science down to the last detail, but I know that when I eat them, I sleep better. And that’s good enough for me.
By the time I crawl into bed at night, my eyes are already half-shut. Reading? Not happening. That’s where Audible saves me. I can soak in knowledge while I’m driving, cleaning, or even scrubbing toilets.
Here’s what’s currently in my library:
- The 5 Principles of Parenting by Dr. Aliza Pressman
- The Secret Language of the Body by Jennifer Mann & Karden Rabin
- Limitless by Jim Kwik
- What If You Are the Answer by Rachel Hollis
I’m a lifelong learner, and listening to books while living life makes me feel like I’m still growing—even on the busiest days.
I’m no music buff (don’t ever pick me for trivia), but nothing boosts my mood like blasting 80’s and 90’s hits. After my workout, I jump in the shower, crank up my Sonos speaker, and turn into a teenager all over again.
It’s the perfect reset. So many mornings as mums start in chaos—whether it’s a 4am wake-up or beginning the morning with a meltdown. But hot water + loud music + a little dancing in the shower? Total game-changer.
And if you’ve got a little one who insists on joining you in the shower, maybe skip the full-blast music. But if you can pump it loud, give it a go—you’ll thank me later.
So there you have it—my top 5 winter must-haves. They’ve kept me sane, warm, and (mostly) smiling through what’s left of the cold months.
Now I want to know—what’s gotten you through this winter?
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Podcast Episode #42: Mainstream Primary Schooling
In this week’s episode I’m chatting with the oh so knowledgeable Alicia Cohen.
Alicia is an educational publisher and mother of two, whose journey into advocacy began when her child was diagnosed.
A seasoned writer of online articles, Alicia combines her professional background in educational publishing and her lived experience to create the resource she wished she had during her own path of supporting a child with additional needs in a mainstream school setting.
An avid reader of parenting literature and an experienced advocate, Alicia combines professional expertise with personal insight to offer practical guidance for parents embarking on similar journeys through the mainstream education system.
In our conversation we spoke about:
▶️ What differences have you noticed between your schooling experience and Remy’s schooling experience?
▶️ We know that mainstream schooling a special needs child can be difficult at times, what strengths did you discover in yourself that you didn’t know you had?
▶️ In Alicia’s book Mainstream Primary Schooling your Special Needs Child, creating a team is paramount. What would you advise a parent starting the schooling journey on?
▶️ Alicia dedicates an entire chapter on “You”, what self care do you practice when times get tough?
To listen to the podcast episode, click here.
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