fruitBuying fruits and vegetables give shoppers more enjoyment than buying chocolate. 

In a recent study looking at 1000 consumers  and their emotional attachment to certain items, found that healthy food products rated second on the pleasure stakes right behind holidays.  That is for most shoppers except parents!  The older generations and the youth of Australia both say they feel better about buying fresh produce than alcohol and snacks – yet parents say they get a real buzz out of buying candy.

The herald Sun made  a great point. Parents are the first to bribe their kids into eating greens yet this study shows they are the first to get great pleasure in buying more unhealthy alternatives.

No surprise that toiletries were the least liked!  I avoid that aisel at all costs if I can. Why is it that necessities always cost the most!

Let’s conduct our own little Springfree Study – What gives you the most pleasure when shopping? Experience or product related? 

Here’s what some of our Springfree Trampoline staff had to say.

Tanya: I get the most pleasure in buying a good bottle of Wine! 

Natalie: I’m not sure if it’s that I feel good when buying healthy food, rather I  feel BAD buying unhealthy food..

Leanne: I feel great when I line up behind someone at the checkout counter and they are buying all processed foods and  I have all fresh healthy food!   Makes me feel good ;)

Nicky:  I go crazy with Toiletries. I’m surprised that people don’t get pleasure out of new body products. I love it!

 

Source: American Express Psychology of Supermarket Spending Report.

Herald Sun. Mon 8 Page 13

1102467_The_Proposal-300x199A study published in Psychology and Aging shows that couples that use words such as ‘we’, ‘us’ and ‘our’ are better at resolving marital fights.  The University of California, Berkeley, found that words such as “I” and “you” were signs of marital dissatisfaction.

Plural terms, such as “we”, are “part of this invisible language that can tell scientists what’s going on inside a marriage,” he said.

“Our thinking is that, using the ‘we’ words in that context can maybe help realign the couple, and help them to see themselves as being on the same team as opposed to adversaries,” a graduate student working on the project, Benjamin Seider, told LiveScience.

The study’s data was collected between 1989 and 1990, when researchers videotaped 154 couples during a 15-minute discussion regarding conflict in their relationship. Physiological state, including body temperature and heart rate were also monitored.

I don’t know about you but I want to watch MY favorite show on TV rather than HIS Cricket!  Too selfish?

Do words really make a difference to resolveing the fights and the overall state of your marital bliss?

When researching some tips on how to fight fair I found an article that said….

“If done correctly, conflict and healthy, fair fighting, can strengthen your marriage”

The article had some really good points such as, Fighting fair means you don’t bring up past history.

What tips to do you have for fighting fair and resolving marital fights?

 Source:

http://www.motherandbaby.com.au/ContentItem.aspx?ContentID=1643

http://marriage.about.com/cs/conflictandanger/ht/fightfair.htm

1137212359_d81dbe78baThis latest news has caused quite a stir in the office – ‘Baby Brain’ is just that, all in your head.

A study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry found no evidence that pregnancy or motherhood affects a woman’s brainpower.

Professor Helen Christensen said women who feel they have a cognitive deficit due to ‘baby brain’ are possibly experiencing short-term distractions.

Makes sense. There is quite a lot of ‘things’ that a mother needs to do before giving birth. Just thinking about getting the house ready, getting organised to leave work and preparing siblings can be very distracting.

It’s not our fault that we lose our car keys in the Fridge, especially when we’ve got all that to think about!

So why are we all so adamant or eager to prove a reason behind the insanity?

New Definition: Baby Brain – a case of too much on the mind! No research needed – proof is in the pudding.

So what silly things have you done and blamed the ‘Baby Brain’?

In breaking news, Springfree™ Trampoline has been awarded with the 2010 Children’s Product of the Year Award USA.  

Hosted in 28 countries, Product of the Year is the world’s largest consumer-voted program that recognizes innovation in consumer packaged goods.

In its second year, over 60,000 American shoppers voted on products in a survey conducted by TNS.  Springfree™ Trampoline was just crowned as the Product of the Year in its category at the Awards Ceremony hosted by Phil Lemper in New York City.

Springfree™ Trampoline is the only trampoline design that has effectively removed the risk of product induced injury. With over 200,000 kids injured worldwide each year on spring-based trampoline designs, for every 15 Springfree™ Trampoline’s sold, one child is kept out of hospital.

Springfree™ Trampoline’s Global Marketing Director, Kristen Hill accepted the award on behalf of the company.

“On the tail-end of such a highly sought-after and recognized award, Springfree™ Trampoline could not be launching into the North American Market any better.”

“This Award reflects Springfree™ Trampoline’s commitment to safety and innovation and the independent voting process is a testament to parents’ belief in choosing the safest products for their children.”

 “We are honored to be receiving this international success but also thrilled that consumers recognize and appreciate the innovatation that is Springfree™ Trampoline,” Hill Says.

Just last week, Springfree™ Trampoline was named 2010 Canadian Product of the Year – Around the Home category and was also recognized as the judges’ number one choice on top of the category crown.

 

About Product of the Year

Product of the Year is the only consumer product award that rewards innovation and is voted on by real consumers. Established 22 years ago in France, POY currently operates in 28 countries with the same purpose: Guide consumers to the best products in their market and reward manufacturers for quality and innovation.  Backed by the votes of 60,000 consumers, the distinct red POY logo serves as shortcut for shoppers in the supermarket, saving them time and money. For manufacturers of the winning products, the award is a powerful marketing message proven to increase retail distribution and sales by an average of 10-15%. Product of the Year accepts entries every year from consumer packaged goods that demonstrate innovation and were launched within the previous year. Entered products are then placed into specific categories such as food, beverages, personal care, household care, etc. with a product then being chosen as a winner in its category through a nationally representative online study. For more information visit www.productoftheyearusa.com

 

We had a great time at the Australia Open and everyone loved playing Tennis Springfree Style.  So we thought we would share the gist of the game with you as you could alwasy make some minor changes and play it home.  The only difference would be one player in the Springfree™ Trampoline and the other on the outside. 

If you have any other games that you like to play on our Springfree™ Trampoline please share :)

1989029

Items Required:

2 Springfree Trampolines

2 Tennis Rackets

Lots of Tennis Balls

Chalk

 Rules

 The rules of Trampoline Tennis are quite simple.

Rule 1. Each opponent stands on a trampoline (1 opponent to 1 trampoline). The player who delivers the ball to start the point is called the server. The player who standing on the opposite trampoline from the server is the receiver.

Rule 2. The right to serve, receive, choose your side, or give the opponent these choices is decided by a toss of a coin or racquet. If the choice of service or receiver is chosen, the opponent chooses which trampoline they want to start on.

Rule 3. The server shall stand behind the marked chalk line. The server shall not serve until the receiver is ready. Serves are made from behind the marked chalk line and must land inside the chalked mark line of the opponents trampoline. If the server misses his target twice, he loses the point. If the ball hits the net and goes in the marked chalk line, another serve is granted. If the server steps inside the marked chalk line before contact is made, the serve is deemed a fault.

Rule 4. The receiver is deemed ready if an attempt is made to return the server’s ball. The receiver can stand where he likes but must let the ball bounce inside the marked chalk line. If the ball does not land inside the marked chalk line, it is deemed a fault and a second serve is given. If the ball is hit by either opponent before the ball bounces, the server wins the point.

Rule 5. The server always calls his score first. If the server wins the first point, he gets a score of 15. Scoring is done like a clock. See example below. Love means zero in tennis. The second point is called 30. The third point is called 45 (now-a-days known as 40) and game is won when the score goes back to love. If the score is 40-40, also known as deuce, one side must win by two points. Advantage-In means if the server wins the next point, he wins the game. Advantage-Out means the receiver has a chance to win the game on the next point.

LOVE 15-30-40

Rule 5. After the game, the opponents serve. Games equal 1. The first to win 2 games wins. If the score is 2-6, a tie-breaker is played. The tiebreaker continues until one side wins by 1.

Rule 6. If the ball goes into the net, or outside the marked lines on the trampoline, the player who hit that ball loses the point. If the ball hits the net during the point and goes into the opponents trampoline, the ball is in play. A player loses the point if they touch the net, drop their racquet while hitting the ball, bounce the ball over the net, hit part of the surroundings such as the tree, person, ground,  the ball touches them or their partner, they deliberately try to distract the opponent.

Rule 7. A let is called during the point if a ball rolls on the trampoline or there is a distraction from someone besides the players on the court.

Rule 8. A ball that lands on the marked chalk line is good.

Rule 9. If players serve out of turn or serve to the wrong person or court, the point or game will stand and order will be resumed following the point or game.

 

goldmedalWe’ve all heard of the beauty contests & spelling bees for kids but did you know there is such a thing called Australia’s Brainiest Student?

Fourteen-year-old, Uma Jha, from Perth’s Shenton College outsmarted more than 4000 national competitors to win the 2010 Australian Brain Bee Challenge in Sydney yesterday. Uma competed against other state winners in the national final of the competition, which included a brain-teasing anatomy exam, doctor-patient diagnosis and a neuroscience quiz.

Are you thinking what I’m thinking? WOW!

 Competition is such an important part of the Australian Culture. But how do parents ensure a healthy competitive nature is enforced in your children?

In grade 7, our teacher would give us a math’s test and then stand us up to show everyone what mark we got out of 10. For example he would count from 1 to 10 and whatever mark you got, you would sit down when he hit that number. Can you imagine my embarrassment each week when I rarely got over 5? I am confident enough in my ability now to say that Math’s is not my strong suit, but making us compete against each other did make me feel like a failure and forever more I have a negative association with my Math’s ability.

So how can you make competition fun without deterring children away and making them feel like losers?

“Everyone’s a winner baby that’s the truth”

handwritingThere is nothing more exciting for kids then getting your Pen License.  Talking to a young man at our ‘Back to School’ Party on the weekend, he was so excited and so very proud to be an owner of this license.  He recived it in his first week of Grade 5. 

A recent Survey conducted by Bic found that 7 out of 10 parents thought handwriting was becoming a lost art due to technology. 

The survey also found that almost 1 in 10 children learn to type on a computer at age three or younger.   Maybe kids will receive their Printing license rather than there Pen License soon?

kids prefer to communicate with friends via text messages, email or Facebook than send a letter or written card.

But that got me thinking how young are kids  when they own a mobile phone and are given access to Facebook?  Do kids get a mobile’s before Pen Licenses?

Do you think kids are losing touch with hand writing skills and does that bother you consider technology is taking over?

Jan 27 2010

Back to school Blues?

back to schoolIf you are like the mothers in our Springfree™ Trampoline office, I hope you had a wonderful Australia Day covering text books! We are so excited for the kids to be going back school. We are even throwing a party to celebrate.

But not all kids share our excitement. It can be daunting going into a new year, new classroom environment, getting a new teacher and meeting new friends. All this ‘new’ can be very scary! For others, this can be super exciting. Either way the kids need to adapt from their lazy summer sleep-ins to their new routine of uniform, breakfast, school.

 So to make the transition from jumping on their Springfree™ Trampoline all day to being at school here are some tips from our very own Springfree™ SuperMums.

• Start the routine early. Ease the kids into the routine slowly so it’s not as stressful on the first day. (This is for you more than the kids!)

• Early Bed times! Kids get extra tired in the first couple of weeks, which can mean emotional outbursts. A little extra sleep each night especially in the first couple of weeks can help.

• Give kids a breakfast suitable for an Ironman and ensure all snacks are healthy and nutritious. Lots of carbs and extra fruit snacks in their lunchbox help keep the energy levels up during the transition to school.

• Remind and encourage kids about all the exciting things they will get up to at school! Art, field trips & playing with friends at lunch time always seem to strike a positive chord with kids.

We love hearing advice and tips from mum’s alike so please share. What tips do you have to ease the transition of going back to school?

 

wonderwhiteposter2Buy any loaf of Wonder White® with the promotional bread tag and enter the draw to win one of 20 Springfree™ Trampoline (model SF40 valued at $945 each), OR a Toyota Kluger packed full of back to school stuff!

Specially marked packs of Wonder White are sold through any major retail supermarket.

For school lunches the kids will gobble up, check out the great range of Wonder White® bread that is packed full of fibre! With more natural fibre than regular mixed grain bread, Wonder White gives your kids the goodness they need to fuel their adventures.

Plus, it’s got that soft, white bread taste you know they’ll love. Then they can work off all that goodness on the Springfree™ Trampoline!!!

For full details on the Back to School promotions go to www.springfree.com.au and follow the links.

Springfree™ Trampoline and Wonder White® are also offering lucky shoppers at select independent supermarkets throughout Australia the opportunity to win a Springfree™ Trampoline Model SF40 (valued at $945) in EACH participating store, simply by purchasing Wonder White bread in-store and entering the competition while you’re there!

Purchase Wonder White bread from any of these participating independent stores and complete entry in-store for your chance to WIN! There’ll be one Springfree™ Trampoline to give away in EVERY STORE participating!

Head on down and shop at these independent supermarkets for your chance to enter.

 STATE – STORE

NSW IGA Cootamundra

NSW IGA Doonside

NSW IGA Cobar

NSW IGA Wakeley

NSW IGA Blaxland

QLD IGA Burleigh Heads

QLD IGA Banksia Beach

QLD IGA Clifford Gardens

QLD IGA Sun Valley

QLD IGA Rasmussen

SA Foodland Munno Parra

SA Foodland Nuriootpa

SA Foodland Fairview Park

SA Foodland Clare

SA Foodland Whyalla

VIC IGA Supa Mt Martha

VIC IGA RITCHIES Dromana

VIC IGA SUPA FAIRLIES Shepparton

VIC IGA Champions Kangaroo Flat

VIC IGA Supa Ryans Midvale

WA IGA Jurien Bay

WA Foodworks Wagin

WA Supa IGA Mount Barker

WA Supa IGA Cannington

WA Supa IGA Port Kennedy

WA Supa IGA Woodvale

WA IGA Balga

WA Supa IGA Donnybrook

WA IGA Merriwa

No matter where you shop, make sure you pick up a loaf of Wonder White and enter the draw before 14 February 2010 for you chance to be bouncing away on a fabulous Springfree™ Trampoline!

Springfree™ Trampoline is excited to be the judges choice at the first ever Canadian ‘Product of the Year’ Awards.

Karen Cockburn attended in the awards ceremony but also gave everyone a demo on the Springfree Trampoline

Karen Cockburn demonstrated her skills on the Springfree Trampoline at the Awards Ceremony

At the prestigious Awards Ceremony in Toronto, Springfree™ Trampoline has been recognised as the judge’s number one choice on top of our category crown.  A huge Honour.

‘Product of the Year’ is one of the largest polls on product innovation. The field nominees are narrowed down by a panel of industry judges and consumers ultimately determine the winners.

Steven Holmes, CEO of Springfree™ Trampoline, says it’s a huge honour to bear this designation and to be reconignised by consumers.

“ We were honored to win in our category, so to then find out we were the overall judges choice was amazing”.

Springfree™ Trampoline is celebrating all around the world tonight about this globally recognised award”, Holmes concluded.