Preparation

I'm given myself about a week to get ready.

F-Day is a three sleeps away and I'm getting there. We've got pear muffins and bread in the freezer, I have contacted a local butcher who specialises in supplying organic, grass-fed meat for people with allergies and intolerances. I've menu planned the week's breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks (menu plan to come).

Still on the to-do list is pear jam, pear ketchup, rolled oat bars and Magic Cordial for a treat. All these recipes are from Sue Dengate's The Failsafe Cookbook. I'll share them and any tweaks I make along the way.

The biggest part for me is transitioning from a wholefoods, fruit and vegetable based diet. The idea of the boys not having any 'real' vegies just worries me. The vegies that are allowed are not overly popular here - cabbage, brussel sprouts, leeks etc. Oh, green beans are ok. Thank goodness!!! The boys love them to dip into cream cheese or hommus.

Fruit is going to be a massive issue for the boys. They eat ridiculous amounts of fruit and being restricted to two pears a day will really cramp their style.

I'm hoping Master 5 will be ok at school, he won't have much choice apart from what is in his lunchbox but Master 3 being at home all day ... oh that is a whole other story. I'm going to have to keep him very busy and distracted!!!

As for the extra cooking, well, it will be minimal for me. I already make all our own bread, biscuits, muffins, school lunches, dinners etc etc. It is more changing the ingredients I use rather than what I make. No honey, no wholemeal flour, no raw sugar, no dried fruit, no nuts, no coconut oil, no seeds or whole grains, no vegetables, no brown rice etc etc.

And as far is shopping is concerned, it seems to be finding different brands of things that are additive free. For instance, Aldi Milk Arrowroot biscuits are full of additives and are not Failsafe, yet Arnott's brand are.

I'm sure we'll get there. I'm sure there will be rocky days and easy days.

A Bit of Background

So, the first post and I think a bit of background and stage setting is needed.

We are a young family of five, Mum, Dad, Master 5, Master 3 and Master Almost-One. Yes, three boys! Life is busy, chaotic, cuddly, noisy, rough, affectionate and tumble! Most of the time I love it, sometimes it drives me bonkers!

Our kids have always been ... interesting. Loving, amazing, lights-of-our-lives but interesting none the less.

Master 5 is the king of routine, he knows exactly what needs to be done when and if there is even the slightest change to the norm he'll let you know about it. He's a smart little guy, just started school, but has a tendency to daydream and not get stuff done. He likes doing what he likes doing but if there's something else to do, well no thanks.

Master 3 is just one jumping, rolling, bumbling, loud bundle of boy. As a baby he never (literally, never) slept. If he slept for more than an hour at a time it was a rare occasion that left Mr Failsafe and I wondering if he was still breathing. He's still not a great sleeper, but we do have the occasional sleep through perhaps even in his own bed! Why walk if he can run? Why use normal speaking volume if he can yell?

Master 1 (well, almost one, he's one is 3 weeks) is just a delight, almost walking, almost talking, almost sleeping, almost almost almost. He follows his big brothers around with a look of determination that belies his teeny tiny size.

And us? Mr and Mrs Failsafe? Mr Failsafe is a mid-thirties professional, working long yet flexible hours in an office in the big smoke. Mrs Failsafe is an early thirties ex-teacher, stay at home mum, trainee breastfeeding counsellor with the ABA. Life is busy!

Tomorrow I'll post a bit about why we are going Failsafe and why now!

Thanks for coming on this journey with us!