I am a stay at home Mum. I am a Thermomix consultant. I do Thermomixy things like demonstrations, follow-up calls, paperwork and take photographs of my dinner. I also do Mum things like change nappies, jump on trampolines and rock gently on the laundry floor while 2 and 4 swing wildly from the ceiling fans. I love both of these roles, despite the previous clause. However, they are not entirely separate entities.
New to the Mornington Peninsula in July 2014, when 3 year-old Kinder arrived the following February I found myself eager to get to know the other mummies. I found a playgroup, a music class and a ballet class and approached them all with an unnatural enthusiasm to make friends. I don’t suppose my levels of extroversion were particularly remarkable to others, but for me it was a big deal. However, I was often confused as to how to present myself. Should I identify with being a Mum or a Thermomix consultant more? Did I really have to choose? For me it was an ethical dilemma, as though I had some sort of alterior motive for talking to people. On one hand, I spoke to and befriended lots of people, where normally I’d settle on the outer, catching snippets of conversations while playing with the girls, but never exchanging numbers or getting a dinner invitation; but on the other hand, I felt as though I was lining people up to make a sale, sussing them out and feeding them Thermo treats to tempt them into a demo. It didn’t sit well with me and Thermomixing became the elephant in the room. I wanted to talk about it. To tell them how easy their mealtimes could become and how much value they would find in purchasing a Thermomix, but it seemed forced and pushy. And if I didn’t bring it up, they certainly wouldn’t! I have, in jest, likened being a Thermomix consultant to being a Christian. People know what you do and they think they know what you believe, but don’t want to chat about it in case you try to force your beliefs on them. Whereas you, knowing what they are missing out on, genuinely want to spread your message far and wide so that others might know of its value and what an impact it could have on their lives. And so, you must simply practise what you preach, live by example- a cupcake for morning tea here, a soup for a new mum there- and let people find their own way. Respect their free will and their right to deny Thermomix. Ha. See? It has legs that theory!
But there was also another layer to my reluctance to talk Thermo. I am a very keen cook. I read recipe books from cover to cover and am always trying new things, experimenting and planning what to eat. I love to entertain and feed people. I’m the kind of cook who sends guests home with doggy bags, spoils diets and who drops off excess cake with neighbours. I am also a bit of a stickler. Pre-Thermomix I would pride myself on not having a Thermomix, being able to do things the long way, making time for things. I didn’t want to be tarred by that Thermomix, clueless, lazy cook brush. By most accounts I am a good cook. Still a home cook, and not quite at the standard where I’d get my hipster on and apply for Masterchef, but I didn’t want people to think I didn’t have a clue about food. Quite an admission, especially when I know to the contrary. Most of my foodie friends are Thermomix owners or consultants and can absolutely hold their own in the kitchen.They understand how to get the best from their Thermie and how it is integrated into the cook’s kitchen.
These days I worry less about these things. I use my Thermomix as much as I ever did and I love it, but I feel less inclined to convince other people of its merits. I don’t often talk Thermie and, with my beautiful girls as my priority, I don’t sell many either. I am happy with the balance these days and so I’ve decided that my days of being a Thermomix consultant are numbered. What a joy it has been to meet so many beautiful Peninsula people and to cook for them in their homes! But no more elephants. Compliment me on the consistency of my Thermomix play dough. Eat my cakes. If you’re in the market consider Thermomix as a serious contender, but go forth and enjoy your Kitchenaid and Bellini. It turns out mumming works just fine for me.
mrsmixalot 