This collection of images is taken from the book 'Hungry Planet: What the World Eats' by Peter Menzel and Faith D'Aluisio and shows how much processed food has taken over many nations meal-times as well as the huge difference in the volume of food we consume. Although we already know a lot of this these images really do tell a thousand words. The portraits feature pictures of each family with their weekly shop.

Since becoming a mum to a girl and a boy I have become all to aware of the fundamental differences between the sexes but I have also wondered how much society shapes those differences. Essentially the age old debate of nature V nurture. Associated Press have just reported on a school in Stockholm who does things very differently in an attempt to avoid such stereotyping. At the "Egalia" preschool, staff avoid using words like "him" or "her" and address the 33 kids as "friends" rather than girls and boys.

Festival season is almost upon us once more and their are more family friendly festivals than ever before meaning that taking the kids does not have to be a painful experience with face-painting and 'boutique babysitters' all part of the equation. Read on for mumzine favourites...

I love Laura from Pistachio Giraffe’s unique restored  furniture pieces. Using vibrant  paints and wallpaper she brings old furniture to life. Her original creations are painstakingly and lovingly restored by hand. She can transform anything, desks, chests of drawers, chairs, wardrobes, you name it. She can create a bespoke, stylish and practical piece that can [...]