IS SHANNON’S KITCHEN IS THE BEST FOOD SITE EVER?

*Yes

If it is possible to love Shannon Kelly anymore than I do, then I challenge you to a love duel.

Probably her family love her more than I do, because they actually know her.

But maybe not.

Anyway, it’s safe to say that I adore her and so do thousands of others.

She has a mouth like a sailor and gives absolutely zero F*&ks.

If you are offended by bad language, do not read any further, and certainly do not sign up to her website or Insta page.

I happen to love swearing, so I’m already one foot in the door.

Her best strengths though are decidedly more wholesome. She is a nurse and is right into nutrition and keeping her family and her own body healthy.

Within reason.

Shannon subscribes to the 80/20 rule. She loves making her own healthy, delicious food, but is also partial to a good burger and a beer.

She doesn’t have what society deems ‘the perfect body’ and although she says she would love to be ‘hot as f*&k’, what really matters is loving and nurturing her body.

And feeding it really tasty stuff. Her recipes are easy, nutritious and completely delicious. The Honey and Nut bars will probably make you love her as much as I do. They are amazing and take five minutes to make.

Apart from great food advice and heaps of lols, thanks to her nursing background Shannon gives practical parenting advice such as what foods have the potential to make kids choke.

She was kind enough to chat to us about her life and her new book and I basically fan girled all over her.

How do you get kids to eat stuff? Any tips?

My oldest is 4, so he has been through phases of being a real doodlehead about food, and he is a naturally picky eater. My toddler would eat the wheel off a Tonka-Truck - he is more adventurous and eats curry, steak, whatever. But not broccoli. NEVER BROCCOLI. The most effective way I’ve found to get kids to eat new/unappealing stuff is to not give too many f*&ks. I put it down on the plate, and if he doesn’t eat it, I don't give a s^%t, I just keep plonking it on the plate. If there’s complaints I say “You don’t have to eat it”. Then there’s no pressure on them, and eventually they’ll have a cheeky nibble. Another tip is to plonk a “eww no” food down with a “ooh yes” food which again reduces their anxiety. And for your own sake, serve it on a plate/bowl/cup they love - the power of a Paw Patrol plate or a curly straw is amazing. 

Tell us about your book: My book is dropping in November this year and features 60 easy, healthy recipes including breakfasts, main meals, sweets and treats. It’s called “Shannon’s Kitchen: The Cookbook (healthy food you’ll actually f**king eat)” and will be available from shannonskitchen.com (pre-order opens soon!) and some awesome undiscerning bookshops.

If you could give one piece of advice to a stressed out mum trying to be everything to everyone, what would it be?

Stop trying to everything to everyone. Just be you: if you’re not throwing plates at people’s faces or purposefully running over dogs with your car then you’re probably pretty great. We all bugger up every now and then, but we try our best and love our children, and that’s the biggest thing they need, love.

Oh Shannon, *sigh*.

Shannon’s book comes out in November and I feel like Christmas is completely sorted.