Hello from Down Under.
My name is Kylie, and together with my husband Shannon, we have created this website to bring you inspirational, budget-friendly and Australian recipes.
Our Family
There is five of us in the Thomas household. I, my husband and our three children Angel, Lakyn and Willow. But the is six of us in the family, our eldest Mariah lives on her own.
Angel and Lakyn have both been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and both are high functioning. So life is pretty hectic between specialist appointments, Ballet and Karate for the kids, working and maintaining a household.
But with a large family comes lots of hungry mouths and fussiness. Budget can play a big part too in what gets cooked or baked.
We want to be able to bring you recipes that your whole family will enjoy, along with ones that are great for time-poor families and ones that are restricted to a budget.
Background
Wow, where do I start!
My first job was working at MacDonald’s and then Seaworld, on the Gold Coast in Queensland.
No, I am not originally from there. Victoria is my home and still living there with my beautiful family.
Although my husband and I do have a goal to one day move back to sunny Queensland.
Getting back on topic. Both places gave me experience within the food and hospitality industry.
Upon becoming a young mum, I decided to choose to stay at home with my children. At the same time, while they were young, I studied, business, business administration and training and assessing, and digital marketing. With the plans of going back to work once they were in school.
While our kids were still small, I did party plan for UnderCoverWear and Fith Avenue, which was a way for me to do something for the household…long story.
But there was something else I was passionate about, and it didn’t hit me till I planned my own wedding. And with our two children just being diagnosed with ASD, I wanted to be able to work from home.
This started my wedding invitation business, along with my wedding and event planning business.
So where does the cooking and baking come into it? I know what you're thinking. Everything I have done has no relevance or even given me qualifications or experience in cooking or baking.
As a teen, I loved baking cakes. And coming from a European background, the love of food and cooking was always there.
I loved cooking and baking, I even baked my own desserts for our wedding.
My mum asked me one day why I don’t become a chef or baker, but the thought of being in a high demanding job like a restaurant actually scared me. I liked the idea of just cooking for special occasions, family and friends.
Over the years, I have become a self-taught cook and baker, experimenting with foods and would like to be able to share my knowledge with you all.
Shannon, on the other hand, started his work life in a local Chinese restaurant and ended up becoming a Sioux Chef. But his life also took some unexpected turns, and he got jobs as a painter, worked in a petrol station and managed a furniture store.
Shannon cooked at home on the odd occasion making Chinese food. But it was not until our youngest was born that he found his passion for cooking.
Due to having a cesarean, I was unable to stand and cook for a while. Shannon took some time out from work to help me around the house and with the kids but had fun experimenting with other types of recipes.
Upon having to go back to work, Shannon became a driver for Coles online and as the job and our lives become more hectic. Cooking for him got put to the wayside.
It was not until he bought a weber bbq, and cooked his first pork roast, that he re-found his passion. It has now become a weekly tradition of me cooking during the week and Shannon cooking on the weekends.
Together we are now working on making this our full-time career. And due to our passion and excitement with creating new recipes, even our children love joining in on the fun.
Which has also allowed us to teach them how to cook.
What do we cook
We are always experimenting with food and favours, but if we won't eat it we won't post it.
Thus only posting recipes that we have tried ourselves and we love. We don't want to follow the latest trending recipe or flavour. And sometimes add a seasonal recipe even though it not actually that time of year yet.
We want to bring you recipes that not just look good, but taste delicious also!
Where do we shop
We try to support our local businesses as much as we can, and Bacchus Marsh is full of amazing places to shop for fresh ingredients.
So here are just some of the places we shop that are also available in Victoria or Australia Wide.
- Coles Supermarket
- Ballan Local Butcher - these guys have been amazing especially when we are after specific cuts of meat. If you are local to the area pop in and say hi. They can even deliver to Bacchus Marsh, Melton, Ballarat, and some other surrounding areas. Be sure to check the delivery info page for days, times etc.
- Ezy Plaza Bacchus Marsh (LorAnn Oil Flavours)
- Jeff Jones Plants & Produce
However, not everything can be brought locally but still Aussie based.
- Lollipop Cake Supplies (also LorAnn Oil Flavours & other baking needs)
What's Happening In The Life Of Just So Yum
Take a glips into our family life as we share our stories with you.
A Passion For Karate
From a diagnosis of ASD to discovering a passion for Karate, join us on the inspiring journey of how Lakyn overcame challenges and found success through self-control, coordination, and confidence. Where do I start with Lakyn? Lakyn is now 10 years old, almost 11 (at the time of this post). He has grown up so…
Just So Yum's Garden Makeover
Follow Just So Yum's Garden Makeover journey, while we turn this neglected garden into a flourishing herb garden. When we moved into our new house we were lucky enough to have a veggie garden out the back. Unfortunately, it was overgrown with weeds and needed much love and attention. We did however make some discoveries…
