Welcome
Hi there, welcome to The Inspiration Edit! Multi Award Winning Family Lifestyle Blog sharing Kids Crafts, Family Recipes and Inspirational Tips and Tricks to make life better.
My name is Angela Milnes and I’m a Blogger, Previous Early Years Teacher, Author, Cook and Instant Pot Expert. I love using my skills to Inspire Busy Parents with Practical Ideas, Fun Crafts and Super Easy Family Meals.
My Story: From Yorkshire to New Zealand
I was born In Yorkshire, England and moved to New Zealand just before starting high school. Adjusting to life in a new country opened my eyes to different cultures and experiences, shaping who I am today.
From a young age, I had a passion for food and nutrition. I worked in restaurants while studying and later earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and Education, followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Early Childhood Teaching. I also studied Infant and Toddler Nutrition, knowledge that’s served me well as a mum, teacher, blogger, and recipe developer.
I’ve taught Volunteer Cooking Classes To Adults with special needs and supported new parents with nutrition-focused classes for little ones. I've also spent hours creating Fun Kids Crafts with little ones in the classroom.
Marriage, Divorce And Starting Over
My young adult years were filled with challenges and transformation. I married and divorced twice, my first marriage was abusive, and I found the courage to leave. During my second marriage, I lived in Tonga, where we experienced the loss of a child we hoped to adopt. After struggling with infertility, I became pregnant through IUI treatment and gave birth to my beautiful daughter, Sylvia.
A few months after my baby was born, my marriage broke down. The home was not safe so I removed Sylvia and I from the situation, took out a protection order and moved to a women's refuge to keep me and my baby safe.
In 2010, I travelled to the United Kingdom with my 18 month old daughter Sylvia. We visited many different countries from Korea to Singapore to Amsterdam, Paris and Belgium.
A New Chapter: Love, Family, and Chronic Illness
In 2013 I married my Yorkshire sweetheart John Milnes. I am so blessed to have met him. He is the best husband, so sweet, kind and thoughtful and an amazing father.
The week after our wedding I collapsed and was diagnosed with Adrenal Insufficiency, a life-threatening and life long chronic illness. I spent several years in and out of the hospital, leaving me bed-bound and in a wheelchair.
With my adrenal Insufficiency and life long steroid medication I naturally gained a lot of weight and I struggled to accept my new health condition and so I started a blog and began writing about my life.
Ever since I became unwell I have been fighting for better health care, however over the years I've developed further conditions including Diabetes and Chronic Fatigue.
Chronic Illness is a constant battle and one I battle on a daily basis. I spend a lot of time at home unwell and unable to leave the home. I've learnt to adapt, pivot and pace myself so I can still enjoy life.
Blogging History And Acheivements
I began blogging in 2015. I originally focussed on being a Mother with Chronic illness. In 2015, I was honoured to be named “Best Parent Blogger” at the UK Mumpreneur UK Awards—presented by Caprice. I’ve since been a finalist twice in the BritMums Brilliance in Blogging Awards and received a WeGo Health Award for my advocacy around Adrenal Insufficiency.
In 2017 I rebranded to The Inspiration Edit. I began sharing fun crafts and recipes and continued to share my story. That year I was named a finalist at the BritMums Blogging Awards Inspire Category.
In 2019, I was listed in the Top 20 Best Vuelio Parenting Blogs, recognised as a Top UK Craft Blogger, and named a finalist for “Best in Pinterest” at the BritMums Awards. I ended the year by winning “Best Campaign Creator” at the BritMums Brilliance in Blogging Awards and was featured in the Lancashire Evening Post recognising my achievements as a blogger.
In 2021, we returned to New Zealand to be closer to my parents and extended family. Now in 2026, we live in the Dunedin, in the South Island with our daughter Sylvia, (We recently adopted Sylvia and John is now her legal father). My main focus now is learning to live with life long health conditions, whilst sharing tips and tricks, creative crafts, and comforting recipes from the home.
Sharing Recipes And Crafts
As a mother, teacher, and cook with plenty of real-life experience, I enjoy sharing practical ideas that make family life easier and more enjoyable. From quick, nourishing meals to fun and simple crafts for kids, I focus on creating content that helps busy parents feel more confident and inspired at home.
Cooking is my true passion, especially when it comes to Instant Pot recipes, batch cooking, and freezer-friendly meals. In 2020, I published The Complete Instant Pot Guide For Beginners and launched a Facebook community that’s now grown to over 180,000 members: Instant Pot Recipes For Beginners.
I love preparing meals and find joy in helping others make healthy, stress-free food choices that work for their families and lifestyles.
I also love to share easy, engaging kids crafts and educational activity ideas that parents and kids can enjoy together.
Education
- 2000 - Sir John Turei Award - Top Maori Student At Lynfield College
- 2001-2004 Bachelor Of Arts - The University Of Auckland
- 2005 -2006 Graduate Diploma Teaching ECE The University Of Auckland
- 2008 - Nutrition For Infants And Toddlers Massey University
Professional Career
2022-2025: Owner of Eat Your Beets, Healthy Recipes Blog.
2015- 2025: Owner of The Inspiration Edit Crafts, Recipe, Lifestyle Blog.
2006-2008 Head Teacher - Dinsdale Education Center, Hamilton New Zealand.
2002-2006 Early Years Teacher: Uptown Kids, Auckland, New Zealand
2001-2006 Restaurant Worker: Valentines Restaurant
As Seen In:
After becoming a blogger I’ve had the opportunity to attend many lifestyle and food events, go on adventures, meet some great chefs and review fantastic places. Here are a few highlights:
- Cooking In Soho London With UK Celebrity Masterchef Winner Angelica Bell
- Co-op Food Bloggers Meet Up - Creating A Vegetable Train
- Ocado Collaboration WIth Cannamela - Saffron Risotto With Chorizo
- New Zealand Auckland Food Show - Invited To Review For Social Media
- Moana Themed Party At DisneyLand - Invited to have promote Disney Products.
- Disney On Ice Manchester - A Review
- Sorted Food Studio London - Cooking With Chef Ben Ebbrell
- Thai Khun Restaurant - Thai Food Review
- Richmond 600G Gas Cooker Review Cooking With Richmond
- ObesityHelp - Creating Bariatric friendly recipes. Cucumber Bites and Devilled Eggs
- Hobbiton New Zealand Adventure - Sharing Our Visit to Middle Earth.
- Nickelodeon Land- A Family Adventure
I've worked with hundred of brands including: Cricut, Disney, Hasbro, Co-Op, Tesco, Asda, Richmond, Vax, KitchenAid, FreshChoice, Cannon, Matalan, Clarks, Vorverk, Rocco, Phillips, Affinity Lancashire, Yumi, House Of Fraser, Epsom, Legoland, Sealife, Debenhams, Halfords, The Northern Ballet, Pen Heaven, Pretty Little Thing, Premier Inn and More!
In The Media:
Interviews/Panels
- ITV/ Mumsnet Panel - Speaking About Child Nutrition And Growth with UK Netmums and ITV Health Editor Hilary Jones - It’s More Than Height Campaign - London UK.
- Mumsnet Panel -Speaking About Protecting Teens Online In A Digital Age - London UK.
- Porch: Expert Advice For Baking At Home - Instant Pot Lava Cakes.
Connect With Me
- In the Instant Pot Recipes For Beginners Facebook Group
- On Pinterest! Pin and comment when you make one of my recipes. Join my 70,000+ Pinterest Followers!
- Sign up to our Newsletter for new recipes and updates!
- Contact me by email at [email protected]