Meet the mother-of-two proving women really CAN have it all

For most working parents, the task of making an exciting and nutritious school lunch for their kids is a daunting one.

But one mother-of-two not only creates incredible lunches for her sons each day – she also works full time, trains for fitness competitions and is studying for a fitness and nutrition degree.

Super mum Bec Gormly, a Brisbane-based administration and finance officer, has wowed thousands online with her eye-popping school lunches and elaborate meal prep sessions and is able to do so by careful planning and organisation each week.   

‘Finding balance takes time, so never be too hard on yourself, we are all learning and doing the best we can as parents,’ Ms Gormly, the mother of two sons ages 12 and nine, told FEMAIL.

Super mum Bec Gormly, a Brisbane-based administration and finance officer, has wowed thousands online with her eye-popping school lunches and elaborate meal prep sessions

'Finding balance takes time, so never be too hard on yourself, we are all learning and doing the best we can as parents,' Ms Gormly, the mother of two sons ages 12 and nine, told FEMAIL

‘Finding balance takes time, so never be too hard on yourself, we are all learning and doing the best we can as parents,’ Ms Gormly, the mother of two sons ages 12 and nine, told FEMAIL

‘Prioritising is what works best for me, and if something is important I believe you can and will make time for it. I love fitness and even competed a few times so it’s that little bit of me time I get to enjoy.’ 

Ms Gormly, 36, wakes each day at 4am and has a quick snack (banana dipped in Peanut Butter) before heading to the gym.

‘After my workout I’m home by 6am, where I have my breakfast (always oats, which I add fruit, cooked grated zucchini and protein powder) and get the husband’s breakfast (toast) and kids breakfast prepared too, usually cereal,’ she said. 

‘I start the lunch boxes around 6.30am and we are all out the door by 8am (with my coffee) for me to start work at 9am.’

'I start the lunch boxes (pictured) around 6.30am and we are all out the door by 8am (with my coffee) for me to start work at 9am,' she said  

‘I start the lunch boxes (pictured) around 6.30am and we are all out the door by 8am (with my coffee) for me to start work at 9am,’ she said  

Ms Gormly surprises her sons with all kinds of clever and exciting lunches including mini taco boats and sushi (filled with either rice or pasta, with some veggies, avocado, chicken, sprinkled in cheese)

Ms Gormly surprises her sons with all kinds of clever and exciting lunches including mini taco boats and sushi (filled with either rice or pasta, with some veggies, avocado, chicken, sprinkled in cheese)

Ms Gormly became interested in the idea of creative lunches using the Munchbox lunchbox when she struggled with her eldest eating the same thing at school and not wanting to branch out and try new things.

‘I figured if he saw new foods in a creative way and a fun way he might reconsider.

‘It Worked! So, I started researching creative lunches online, plus thinking of things they enjoyed when cooked, but could also be eaten cold and mixing and matching it all together plus making it visually appealing.’

Ms Gormly surprises her sons with all kinds of clever and exciting lunches including mini taco boats and sushi (filled with either rice or pasta, with some veggies, avocado, chicken, sprinkled in cheese).

'The kids love getting homemade pancakes or biscuits and I always make sure some fruit gets its spot in the lunches too,' she said (pictured with her husband)

‘The kids love getting homemade pancakes or biscuits and I always make sure some fruit gets its spot in the lunches too,’ she said (pictured with her husband)

Ms Gormly makes a meal plan each week and sticks in on her fridge to stay organised (pictured)

Ms Gormly makes a meal plan each week and sticks in on her fridge to stay organised (pictured)

‘The kids love getting homemade pancakes or biscuits and I always make sure some fruit gets its spot in the lunches too,’ she said. 

‘Creative meals with either hidden veggies or slowly adding them in so they blend well into a delicious meal is what I found works. Add a variety, so allow one treat in the lunchbox and the kids feel like they are getting the best of both worlds.

‘Make the healthier meals look fun by adding toothpick eyes or putting them in cupcake holders to act as separators. I also enjoy baking some of my treats (biscuits, cakes etc) this gives peace of mind as to what’s in them and I can limit the amount of sugar.’

Ms Gormly’s sons love the lunches, with the doting mother saying it brightens their day. 

What is Bec Gormly’s day on a plate?

Morning snack: Banana dipped in Peanut Butter

Breakfast: Always oats, which I add fruit, cooked grated zucchini and protein powder)

Snack: I’ll have a Greek yoghurt, plus some rice cakes with avocado and tomato

Lunch: A protein – usually chicken or turkey mince – some carbs like rice or potatoes and lots of veggies, e.g. broccoli, asparagus, beans and some spinach with a dollop of sauce or a sprinkle of cheese

Snack: My afternoon snack with a coffee, will be some hummus dip with some chopped up veggies, (capsicum, carrot, celery) and a boiled egg

Dinner: Grilled fish with roasted potatoes and veggies/salad

Dessert: If I’m hungry a little later I will have some fruit or some Halo Top Ice-cream

Bec Gormly meal preps her and her husband’s lunches and snacks every Sunday. 

‘They’ve told me they get excited before opening them because each day is different. I won’t deny their teachers have told me they are always excited to see what’s in them too,’ she said. 

Ms Gormly finishes work at 4pm when she heads to pick up the kids from after school care before heading home for dinner.

‘I do have a chart on my fridge that lists what we are having for dinner every night,’ she said.  

‘Then we all sit down, take a breather and enjoy some quality time together, get in any homework or reading that needs to be done. Kids are in bed at 7.30pm and I’m in bed 8.30pm, ready to start it all again tomorrow.’

'I do have a chart on my fridge that lists what we are having for dinner every night,' she said

‘I do have a chart on my fridge that lists what we are having for dinner every night,’ she said

Ms Gormly is pictured with her two sons and husband

Ms Gormly is pictured with her two sons and husband

Ms Gormly said while her life is busy and hectic, she is ‘human’ just like everyone else. 

‘There are certainly some days where I’ve felt overwhelmed by it all but I can’t emphasise enough that’s its normal and if you try and plan ahead it can be a game changer,’ she said. 

‘Try not to do a complete 360, but maybe try a new thing each week until it starts to become a habit and second nature. 

‘With the kids’ lunch boxes, just add a new food each week, instead of going in full swing. Get the kids to give ideas of what they enjoy so there isn’t too much food wastage and make compromises.

‘Most importantly look after yourself, feed yourself right, exercise when you can and always remember “You can’t pour from an empty cup”. Make your soul happy too.’

What are Bec Gormly’s top lunch tips for busy parents?

Plan ahead – know what you intend to pack either the night before or write a list of the whole week and stick it to the fridge. (try to have a good balance, protein, carbs and fats) It will take the pressure of running around or staring into an empty lunchbox and you’ll feel extra organised.

Make a few things in bulk and freeze them or use leftovers – homemade pizza, biscuits, sausage rolls etc and you can quickly pull them out in the morning. Or if they prefer them hot, we’ve brought a thermos, which the boys take and add in chicken noodles, chicken nuggets, or even fried rice. This will stay hot for 5-7hrs.

Keep it simple but pay attention to visual – because the design of the lunch box gives the appearance there are lots of food choices, this is what makes it look appetising – e.g. a sandwich cut out using a cute cutter can make it look fun to eat, a bread roll with some tooth pick eyes or some cheese cut out with a cookie cutter or grated can change the whole look. A variety of fruit makes it look extra colourful. Add a tattoo to the outside of a banana and my kids love when I leave them a cute note of fun fact in their lunchbox.

Allow the kids to help – let them suggest or help pack the lunch, I guarantee when they help they are more prone to eating it. If there are left overs after school, my kids know it will be their afternoon snack, as it all stays very fresh, especially in a cooler bag with ice packs.

Add a liquid/drink into their cold bag or lunch – it will help fill their tummy. I usually do a water, mini milk or a homemade juice/smoothie.



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