Finding new and exciting activities to occupy the kids in their spare time can be tedious, but Annette Sym thinks this can be the perfect time to get your kids into the kitchen and teach them how to cook nutritious meals that they will love to eat.

Low fat cookbook Queen and award-winning international author, Annette Sym said it’s a great chance for you to spend some one-on-one time with your children, teach them the importance of eating healthy and have some great fun doing it.

“With the popularity of Junior Masterchef, children have never been more motivated to get in the kitchen but it doesn’t have to be as competitive and ruthless as reality TV makes it,” Annette said.

Annette who struggled with her weight for years, started as a chubby child, which lead to becoming an obese adult. She knows first hand how difficult it is being an overweight child and now more than ever with more than one quarter of Australian children considered to be overweight and obese we need to show them how they can break bad habits that are learnt from an early age. Annette won the battle of the bulge at the age of 36 managing to lose 35kgs in 20 months and maintain a healthy lifestyle for over 18 years. She is on a mission to help children to live healthy lives and says “It all starts in the kitchen”.

Childhood obesity is on the rise and the results are of great concern to both parents and the community. The consequences of being an overweight child can include social difficulties such as feeling isolated and being bullied by peers, which can lead to poor self-esteem and depression and adverse physical health affects such as the increased risk of diabetes, heart disease and gastrointestinal problems. There are two main causes of childhood obesity, a lack of exercise and unhealthy eating patterns, both of which can be fixed.

“Unhealthy eating seems to be a result of a general lack of understanding of what constitutes a healthy snack. Parents need to educate their children that although a snack may claim to be healthy, it is probably full of hidden sugars and salts,” Annette said.

“I’m sure some children think milk comes from a carton, so getting into the kitchen and cooking with them can be a great time to share your knowledge about food, nutrition and how things are made. This way they can create life-long good eating habits,” Annette said.

“It is all too easy to opt for quick, ready-meal options rather than spending the time to plan and cook a healthy, nutritious meal but cooking can be faster than going for takeaways.

“And setting this example for your children, and by getting them involved in the cooking process can set them up with the healthy habits for a lifetime that they can continue once they leave home.”

Motivating children to turn off the video games and move away from the television can be difficult but here are some of Annette’s tips to get your kids in the kitchen and who knows you may discover you have a Junior Masterchef of your own:

1. Have a stool handy so the little ones can reach the bench easily.
2. Provide an apron to avoid extra mess.
3. Let them pick recipes that they like and help them to write a shopping list.
4. Work out the level of difficulty for recipes that suit the age group so they can be in charge as much as possible. Making cooking too hard can spoil the experience.
5. Provide oven gloves to protect their hands when removing food from the oven or microwave.
6. Explain hygiene – washing hands and chopping on different boards. For example, chicken on one and vegetables on another.
7. Make a reason for children to cook, such as a visit from Grandma or an upcoming birthday.
8. The cook never washes up; this may be a great motivation to get teens in the kitchen.
9. Don’t forget, praise is a mighty strong way for cooking to become a fun and pleasant experience.

“I also recommend getting your kids involved in the supermarket. Let them be the shopper and work out the money they need for their purchases. This will not only keep them occupied and out of trouble, but it’s also a great opportunity to encourage learning maths and also weights and measures.

“I have three daughters of my own, so I know sometimes it can be frustrating when kids get in the kitchen and make a mess, but try not to criticise or scold them, just forget the mess and have fun,” Annette said.

“Just remember, spending time cooking together with your children can build happy memories that last a lifetime.”

Annette’s latest book, Book 6, includes a selection of Annette’s newest and most delicious recipes, a step-by-step weightloss MASTERCLASS complete with DVD, a 28-day meal plan and a number of motivational testimonials from people who have lost weight “the Annette way”.

Selling more than 3 million copies due to their undeniable ability to help people lose weight, Annette Sym’s series, Symply Too Good To Be True are available at all leading news agencies and Borders Bookstores nation-wide. Books 1,2,3,4 and 5 are $13.95 and the bumper-sized Book 6 is $28.

Visit the Symply Too Good website, www.symplytoogood.com.au, for more great low-fat cooking tips and to see Annette cooking a new recipe each month.

Congratulations to our very own Public Relations Consultant, Jacinta Krause, on her graduation from the University of the Sunshine Coast.

Confirming just how brilliant we already knew she was, Jacinta took out an Arts Faculty Commendation for overall outstanding performance and achieving a distinction average throughout her Bachelor of Public Relations degree.

Don’t miss out on your chance to nominate someone for the Inaugural Sunshine Coast Multicultural Excellence Awards.

This event is the brainchild of several University of the Sunshine Coast third-year public relations students and the Sunshine Coast Community Cooperative and aims to highlight the valuable contributions of migrants on the Sunshine Coast.

Those that can be nominated include local migrants whether it be a family member, staff, teacher, community leader or coach that has excelled in the area of business, sport, art, education, medical, community or youth.

The award ceremony will be held on October 30 at Coastline BMW Currimundi. Tickets are $35 and include live music, food and wine.

For more information, a nomination form or to purchase a ticket, please email meaward2010@gmail.com or call 0403 727 107.  Hurry, nominations close on October 15.

Success in digital marketing is all about becoming invested in a client’s success according to the digital marketing experts at Traffika.

In fact, Traffika, now in its second year, is punching above its weight attracting some large international clients because their approach is so unique.

Traffika Managing Director Matt Forman said traditionally some advertising and marketing agencies were motivated by client spend and not necessarily by the success created by the campaign.

“A lot of agencies gain most of their income from commissions which encourages them to focus on selling space rather than ensuring they achieved results a client expected,” Mr Forman said.

At Traffika, we have adopted a “results driven” approach to digital marketing, which focuses on giving independent advice and achieving the results clients expect rather than increasing client spend and commissions.

This approach is already proving successful with Traffika making waves in the industry and attracting some big clients.

Bond University, Lorna Jane and national label and licensed merchandise retailer, Identity Direct, are just some of the latest companies to sign up with Traffika.

Bond University has appointed Traffika to handle all their digital marketing both domestically and Internationally for a three-year period.

Bond University has appointed Traffika to handle all their digital marketing both domestically and internationally for a three-year period.

General Manager – Marketing & Communications, Courtney Ehlers, said, “Bond University had a smaller digital presence before but we have now made it a core focus of our marketing strategy and wanted to appoint an industry specialist to manage our online presence.

“Our target markets are very active online so we have to have a strong presence in this space and already we are seeing some great results. As an example, we have seen increases in our click-through rates and online applications,  and our attendance figures for Open Day this year were up 10% on last year. ”

Matt said Traffika had put in place a strategic campaign that focused on stimulating admissions, raising awareness throughout Australia and internationally about the university.

“We have developed a 360 degree digital campaign which includes social media, localised searching and website optimisation tactics for Bond University. This strategy focuses on a consistent message that integrates well with their offline marketing activities which allows the return on investment to be measured at every stage of the campaign,” Matt said.

Matt said similar tactics could be used to form a strategy for clients, regardless of their size.

“The online environment is mashing up – with people going online not just through computers at work and home but also through a rapidly increasing variety of devices including phones and tablets like iPads, even via their televisions.”

Matt said people now spent more time online than ever before, but that marketing spending online was still lagging behind.

According to Neilsen* people now spend an average of 17.6 hours a week online, however, 30.3% of company marketing budgets are spent on newspaper advertising, 24% on free television, and only 11.9% online.

“This means there are more opportunities to make an impact with a strategic digital marketing approach.

Sydney-based Identity Direct services Australia and New Zealand, USA, Canada and the UK and have signed with Traffika for the next twelve months, moving their paid search business  because they found their spend was increasing without any improvement in the return they were getting.

“We have established a strategy digital marketing plan for Identity Direct that will achieve a 20% increase in sales.”

Traffika’s rapid growth in the industry could be due to the great results they get for their clients and for their strategic approach, which carefully measures the effectiveness of every tactic they use.

“Its about establishing the kind of business practice that ensures clients know we are committed to building their success, which in turn benefits us as well, rather than just ensuring we achieve high ad spend commissions.”

For more information about digital marketing and leading industry insight visit our blog or follow Matt on Twitter at @mattforman.

An exciting new series of books for young boys is set to be launched on Saturday 23 October, and WOW books 4 boys would like you to come join in the fun!

Hosted by Hot 91’s Toddy, the book launch will blast off at 2pm at the Maroochydore Library. There will be free face painting, lucky dip prizes, cake, drinks, and a chance to meet the Author and book characters.

Local mother, Angela Bueti is creator of WOW books 4 boys. Her mission is simple…to get young boys reading!

“The books have been designed to appeal to boys aged 4 to 8 years,” Angela said. “They are full of colour, excitement and wonderful animated illustrations.”

The books revolve around two cheeky characters called Scratch and Patch who will be making a special guest appearance at the book launch!

With a primary school teaching degree and specialist literacy qualifications, Angela has nearly 20 years experience as an educator and literacy expert.

“I think it is important to encourage young boys to love reading as much as they love riding a bike or kicking a football,” she said.

In a recent report by the Department of Education and Training, more than one-third of five-year-old children in Queensland are not regularly read to at home. Angela said she felt this was a worrisome statistic.

“As parents and educators we know that boys can be reluctant readers and they can fall behind their female peers in literacy.”

After struggling to find books that her eldest son actually wanted to read, Angela created the Scratch and Patch series.

“Boys need books which are interesting, stimulating and entertaining while also being at an appropriate reading level, and that’s what we’ve created” Mrs Bueti said.

Parents concerned with developing their son’s love for reading can visit the WOW website: www.wowbooks4boys.com. It is a fantastic resource for advice, activities and free downloads to aid in children’s reading.

Anyone interested in attending WOW books 4 boys launch can RSVP via email to angela@wowbooks4boys.com by Saturday 16 October.

The Sunshine Coast Literary Association (SCLA) will be hosting its next quarterly Discussion and Presentation Evening on Tuesday, 12^th October, 2010.

Members and guests are welcome to attend and participate in discussions on the Association program and to talk and network with other writers.

The evening will be held at Rivers Café in Cotton Tree, on the corner of 2^nd Avenue and the Esplanade. The evening will start with dinner at 6pm followed by discussion and presentations at 7pm. Delicious meals and drinks are available for purchase from the Café. Discussion and presentation is free for members and $2 per visitors.

The evening will feature a talk from author and artist Jane Jacobs who will tell everyone about her new book of poems and paintings. Jane Jacobs is an accomplished author and artist who recently showcased her ‘Touched by Greece’ artwork with fellow artist Karol Oakley at the ‘Spring Time in the Gallery’ Exhibition at Wondi Art Gallery.

SCLA president Bryan Ward said the discussion and presentation evening, as always, would be a stimulating and interesting night with great and inspiring company.

Please RSVP to the Discussion Evening via e-mail info@scliterary.org or phone 0414 635 407. Visit the SCLA website for information on how to become a member www.scliterary.org. Members have their own log-on section of the website which enables them to showcase work and connect with other members in the online community.

The Sunshine Coast Literary Association (SCLA) will be hosting its Front Write Up performance night at Glenview Gardens on Tuesday 5 October.

Front Write Up is a casual get-together of like minded writers and others interested in literature held on the first Tuesday of every month. It is an open-mic performance night where people can bring their short stories, poems and extracts of their other work to read to the group, and seek feedback if they wish.

The next Front Write Up night will be held on Tuesday, 5^th October at Glenview Gardens, 17 Glenview Road, Glenview. Members and guests are invited to come to network and listen, and are more than welcome to perform. If you have a poem, story or play you would like to perform, just turn up with your contribution, however a 500-word limit applies to short stories and prose. Front Write Up is free for members and $2 for guests.

“Front Write Up is a highly entertaining night where anyone can share their creativity and passion and perform their talent,” SCLA president Bryan Ward said.

“Some people who are a bit shy even get a friend to perform their work for them, which is always an option for those who want to share their work but are terrified of performing.”

Please RSVP to the event via email, info@scliterary.org or phone Bryan on 0439 902 401.

Visit the SCLA website for information on how to become a member www.scliterary.org. Members have their own log-on section of the website which enables them to showcase work and connect with other members in the online community.

Bloomhill Cancer Help is launching its major fundraising campaign, Target 300 in Caloundra on the 29^th of September at the Rumba Resort. Target 300 aims to raise $300,000 to fund a desperately needed extension to the Bloomhill Centre in Buderim to enable it to help more people with cancer and their families on the Sunshine Coast.

The Caloundra launch at the Rumba Resort Pool Bar on Bulcock Beach Esplanade, will run from 10am to 11am (entrance through reception on Leeding Terrace).  Target 300 was originally launched on Friday, 13^th August in Buderim and on that day alone, $30,000 was pledged to the cause, a tremendous start for the charity. To reach the $300,000 target, Bloomhill is requesting the support of 300 Sunshine Coast businesses, clubs, organisations or individuals to donate $1,000 each.  Smaller donations will of course also be accepted – every little bit will help this local charity support the local community.

Bloomhill Vice President and Target 300 Coordinator, Brett Graham, said that one out of eight of Bloomhill’s clients come from the Caloundra area.

“Bloomhill has needed an extension for more than a year so it can offer more services and cater for its constantly growing number of members,” Brett said.

Bloomhill offers support to those affected by cancer and their families throughout the Sunshine Coast region. Operated by a dedicated team of staff and hundreds of volunteers, Bloomhill provides a range of services and complimentary therapies including respite care, transport to appointments and counselling.

“Bloomhill doesn’t receive any ongoing government funding so we rely on the money received through our several Op Shops, donations, grants and fundraising activities, like Target 300, in order to continue providing our valuable services” Brett said.

“At the moment, the Bloomhill Centre is at maximum capacity with our treatment rooms booked for more than a month in advance.

“We now have over 800 members, a great deal more than last year, which is why we desperately need this extension,” Brett said.

“So far the funds raised is slowly creeping up with more than $40,000 in the kitty and I am sure that the businesses and community of Caloundra will get behind the campaign and help us to raise the remaining $260,000 that we need to reach our $300,000 target,” Brett said.

If you would like to support this worthy cause and make a donation, simply visit www.target300.com.au and click on the link provided. All donations over $2 are tax deductible and are greatly appreciated.

To keep track of the Target 300 tally, visit www.target300.com.au or keep an eye on the local media for progress updates. Large Target 300 signs will also display the rising tally and can be found in all Bloomhill Op Shops and sponsoring businesses throughout the Sunshine Coast.

Buderim writer Bryan Ward has been elected President of the Sunshine Coast Literary Association (SCLA) at the recent Special General Meeting.

He is joined by Nambour author Andrew Thelander as Vice President, Graham Paterson from Bli Bli as Treasurer and Michelle Smytheman from Buderim as Promotions Officer, who is continuing in her role.

“The SCLA is an invaluable resource to the Sunshine Coast and we are pleased to continue our work in assisting local writers to develop their talent,” said President Bryan Ward.

“The SCLA offers people the opportunity to meet like-minded individuals and assist one another in developing their skills and abilities.”

Bryan encourages current members to renew their memberships, while new members are invited to join.

“If anyone would like to come on board and be part of the SCLA management committee, there are still a couple of committee member vacancies –  secretary or membership officer. However the committee has enough resources to continue its work in supporting the Sunshine Coast’s aspiring writers and enthusiasts.”

The SCLA has a number of exciting plans and upcoming events on the calendar for the coming year.

“SCLA promises to bring a number of exciting events and writing workshops to develop the skills of Sunshine Coast writers, with members receiving discounts to all event and programs,” said Bryan.

The Sunshine Coast Literary Association was formed in 2005 to encourage the Sunshine Coast’s aspiring writers and enthusiasts to explore their interest and develop skills. The Association offers regular literary workshops, seminars and events, an annual Writers Competition and monthly Front Write Up literary performance evenings that provide an opportunity to showcase the talents of members. The SCLA also promotes state and national writing competitions that offer successful applicants great prizes and recognition.

For more information on beginning your journey as a writer and becoming a member of the SCLA please email info@scliterary.org or visit www.scliterary.org .

Auzion, the solar energy experts, is celebrating its achievements and successful journey so far with the opening of their new offices in the Innovation Centre’s Accelerator on Wednesday, 22^nd of September.

Launching just two years ago, entrepreneur and founder of Auzion, Mark Leckenby, said the lunch was a chance to reflect on the journey so far and to thank the businesses that have helped us become a leader is sustainable solar energy solutions.

Auzion is an environmentally friendly solar company that advocates sustainable living. Auzion’s philosophy and innovation extends from research and the development of clean, green renewable energy. Operated by a team of highly trained professionals, Auzion provides cost-effective, total energy management solutions for residential, educational, industrial and commercial sectors.

With more than 25 years experience as an electrical engineer, Mark Leckenby started Auzion in 2008. In just two years the business has grown to now employs more than 25 people and holds accreditations with the Clean Energy Council and the Association of Building and Sustainability Assessors.

“We are truly grateful for all the assistance we have received over the years, especially from the Innovation Centre and Westpac.”

“It is astounding to see just how far we have come and we have big plans to continue our work making solar power work for our customers so they can reduce their impact on the environment and save money, without impacting their lifestyle,” Mark said.

“Our success so far can be attributed to our consistent focus on improvement and research. In this industry especially, it is vital to stay up to date with the latest technology and innovations,” Mark said.

“Our work to develop the Auzimax – an energy maximiser that allows customers to monitor their solar systems via the internet and maximise their savings – has really paid off, with the pilot project reaching its final stages ready for commericalisation in early 2011.

The celebration will be held at the Innovation Centre Foyer on Wednesday, 22^nd of September. Beginning at 12pm, the event will include a light lunch, refreshments and a short presentation where Auzion will renew its commitment to supporting to Compassion Australia, an international charity that helps children living in poverty.

Already Auzion has donated more than $40,000 to the charity and has committed to sponsoring an upcoming trip to Africa.

“It has always been part of my philosophy both in business and personally that we need to give back to the world in which we live.  At Auzion we are doing this through our commitment to help people reduce their impact on the environment, while also doing something to help those in the world less fortunate than us, through our commitment to Compassion Australia.

For more information about Auzion or to book a site visit, please call 1300 35 45 75 or visit www.auzion.com.