Orange and Lavender Steamed Pudding Recipe

As part of my Rachel's and Hand Picked Hotels' Cookery and Dining Experience, I attended a Cookery Demonstration with Head Chef Lucy Hyder at Buxted Park Hotel.  She prepared a three course meal that incorporated Rachel's products.  The starter was a Poached Lobster Salad with Lobster Brulee and Lobster Jelly. As a vegetarian I did not sample it but the skill involved was very impressive.  The main was a Moroccan Lamb Tagine with Couscous.  Again, I wasn't about to eat lamb, but the Couscous was divine!  Lucy used Micro-Herbs as salad garnish.  The tiny Coriander Leaves were so fresh, fragrant and delicious, and so tender. Micro-herbs are a new culinary sensation...look out for them!!

The dessert recipe I'm sharing with you is completely vegetarian and very yummy.  It is for  an Orange and Lavender Steamed Pudding which was served with a simple but divine Rachel's Yoghurt Sorbet.

Ingredients (serves 6)
100g butter
150g sugar
2 eggs
1 egg yolk
200g SR flour
1-2 tblspn milk
1 tsp lavender flowers
4 tblspns Seville Marmalade

Method


Beat the butter and sugar until white.  Add egg by egg until fluffy.  Fold in flour and lavender.

Place 1 Tblspn of marmalade in the bottom of individual buttered and floured moulds.  Three quarter fill with cake mix.  Steam for 20 minutes (or microwave individually if you cheat like I do!!)

Serve with Rachel's Yoghurt Sorbet (made in an ice cream maker using 100ml of milk, 300g of sugar, 1l of Rachel's Natural Yogurt, Juice of 2 Lemons and glucose syrup.)

Eat and enjoy...I did!!  The lavender gave a subtle floral flavour that elevated the pudding into something really unique.  It completed the marmalade really well.  The sorbet was gorgeous and offset the bitterness of the marmalade perfectly.

My "Moment" with Rachel's and Hand-Picked Hotels

Sometimes in life, perfect pairings are created...such as Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, strawberries and cream or Brad and Angelina.  One other such perfect pairing that has recently come to my attention is the delightful union of Hand Picked Hotels and Rachel's Organic!

Culinary expert and Hand Picked Hotel's Head Chef Lucy Hyder has partnered with Rachel's as part of their "Moments" campaign.  Celebrating that moment in the day when you can relax and unwind with your favourite, luxurious Rachel's Organic product, the "Moments" campaign asks us to reflect on that special time when time stands still and we can enjoy an oasis of calm in the storm of our hectic day!

I was absolutely over the moon to be chosen to enjoy my own special moment with Rachel's and Hand Picked Hotels, when I was invited to the sumptuous 4* Buxted Park Hotel in East Sussex for an exclusive cookery and dining experience to help celebrate the partnership.

I am already a big fan of Rachel's.  I love their passion and commitment to producing gorgeous organic products in harmony with nature. Ever since reviewing a selection of Rachel's products back in March, the brand has been a firm family favourite.  The superior tasting dairy products made with love and the company ethos make Rachel's a quality brand with a big heart.

Hand Picked Hotels boast seventeen superb country house hotels throughout the UK, Scotland and Jersey, where elegant architecture and exquisite interiors blend seamlessly with modern comforts and technology and you are encouraged to kick off your shoes, feel at home and relax.  They stand at the forefront of a renaissance in fine British hospitality.  These hotels are built for pleasure and enjoyment with attentive friendly staff who really care.  They offer a fine dining  experience with emphasis on sourcing local produce where possible, creating a better quality and flavour of food made with creative passion and culinary flair.  Combining such luxury with the relaxed atmosphere of home is a perfect combination for those of us who enjoy the finer things in life without any pretensions.

It makes perfect sense that these two brands, who do so much to indulge us in blissful "me time",  should go hand in hand!  A perfect pairing indeed!

On October 5th, I drove the 4 hours down to East Sussex accompanied by my eldest daughter Megan to be guests at Buxted Park Hotel with Rachel's.  From the moment I arrived at my VIP parking space in the courtyard I knew I was in for something special.  When we were shown to the King George V Suite, our home for the night, my feelings were confirmed! This two roomed suite was fit for royalty!  Antique furnishings, original features, works of art, a marble fireplace and outstanding views of the estate make this a truly indulgent experience.  But there is no feeling of intimidation...it is relaxing, homely and comfortable.

Buxted Park Hotel

Our view of some of Buxted Park's 312 acres!

We were treated to a cocktail reception and an introductory presentation in the hotel's cinema.  From there we made our way into the kitchens to enjoy a cookery demonstration with Head Chef Lucy Hyder.  She was amazing.  A visionary who transforms simple, quality ingredients into outstanding dishes where textures and flavours combine to deliver a contemporary gourmet meal.  She was down to earth, with a passion for home cooked comfort foods and home grown, seasonal produce. Her attitude to sustainability was wholesome and honest and I loved how she spoke so passionately about food.  Lucy has created some inspiring recipes using Rachel's Organic Yogurts that she demonstrated to us.  Gourmet Cookery Schools are held at the Buxted Park Hotel where you can learn the tips of the trade needed to cook gourmet dinner party dinners at home.

Lucy Hyder (and me!)

I will be sharing a recipe from Lucy Hyder using Rachel's Organic yogurt in another blog post coming soon!

Using Rachel's Natural Yogurt on Lamb Tagine

In the evening we gathered in the Crystal Bar for exquisite canapes and champagne.  From there we made our way into the sophisticated and contemporary Dining Room where we ate from the bespoke Rachel's Menu.  We were served food matched wines throughout and were overwhelmed by the amazing dining experience that we were given.

Vegetarian Canapes

Gazpacho, Celery Sorbet and Vodka Jelly

Goat's Cheese Risotto and Cherry Tomatoes with Balsamic Glaze

Mediterranean Vegetable Pave with Chick Pea and Apricot Cassoulet

Cranberry Sorbet

Chocolate and Almond Tart with Apricot Sorbet

I can honestly say I have never enjoyed a dining experience like this in my life...it was exquisite.  The vegetarian options were inspired.  The flavours in each dish worked so well together. I was really blown away by the attention to detail, the skill and the craftsmanship involved in the production of this meal.  My compliments to the chef Lucy Hyder and her team!!

Check out the Hand Picked Hotels website for details of locations, dining experiences, events and special offers available at the seventeen locations.

Go to the Rachel's Facebook Page for a great competition...just share your moment and create your very own pot!  Here's mine!

Find out more about Rachel's on the website. Look out for the Rachel's new TV ad too!

**The experience was completely complimentary...I feel so privileged to have had my moment with Rachel's and Hand Picked Hotels! It was wonderful! **

Ew Head Lice...I'm Itching Just Writing This!

The kids are back at school mingling with their friends again...which means lots of head to head contact.  The head lice are having a field day finding new scalps upon which to colonise.  It's like an insectoid episode of Location, Location, Location as the nasty nits choose which head offers them the best choice of accommodation to move into! The mere mention of the 'n' words causes me to itch uncontrollably at the thought of another infestation (with 5 kids, we've had a few unwelcome guests Inside the Wendy House over the years!)

When I was given the chance to try Linicin, the new simple way to treat and prevent head lice, I was only to eager to give some a try.  They say "treating lice is child's play" with their range which is suitable for all the family.

I was sent a bottle of Linicin Prevent Spray which is used for the prevention of head lice.  The spray-in treatment lasts for 7 hours giving protection throughout the whole school day when your child is most at risk.  One bottle contains 30 applications making it perfect for your daily routine.

The spray is colourless and has a neutral scent.  It goes on easily and leaves no residue.  Simply spraying once a day can avoid the upset of a head lice infestation.  Brilliant.

Seven days in and Kizzy has not had a single head lice trying to claim her head as its own.  I am happy to continue using this product and feel confident that it will protect her from those nitty nasties!!

Furthermore, the range is safe: 

• Contains no insecticides
• Mild and non-toxic – odourless and colourless
• Linicin Shampoo 10 min and Linicin Prevent Spray have been awarded a rating of ‘very good’ for skin safety
• Low-flammability
• Not tested on animals

In addition to the Prevent Spray, there is a 15 Minute Lotion Treatment which comes with a free steel toothed comb and a 10 Minute Shampoo.  I hope I'll never need to try these products out!!

The Prevent Spray costs £7.49 for the 100ml bottle.  If it continues to keep lice at bay, it is worth every penny!!

You can purchase it directly through the website.. The site also contains lots of information, facts, myths and tips about nits! The site even has ideas for 15 minute activities to do with the kids during treatments and has downloadable worksheets to print out.  Linicin has everything covered!

Hipp Organic's New Additions

Hipp Organic have added some new products to their range giving mums more choice when it comes to feeding their little ones healthy, natural snacks or helping them get their five a day!

Hipp have added new Squiggly Corn Puffs as the latest first finger food for babies from 7 months.   With an all natural taste and no nasties, they encourage self feeding with their melt in the mouth texture.  9 year old Kizzy got a real taste for these crispy treats...she liked the natural taste!

Fruit Bars with Cereal in Plum & Apple and Peach flavours are handy sized bars for toddler snacking.  Suitable from 12 months, they have no added sugar and contain 50% organic fruit and four different cereals.  They are perfect for when out and about.  They have a soft biscuity texture and a very fruity taste and are available individually wrapped.

Elephant Biscuits are Hipp Organic's distinctively shaped, mini biscuits.  Freddy has loved these since he was tiny.  They are the perfect size for little hands.  Hipp has tweaked the recipe using organic apple juice to give a sweeter flavour.  They are great for topping up tiny tummies for ages 12 months +.

Little Nibbles Rice Cakes were a great first finger food when Freddy was starting to feed himself.  As they dissolve in the mouth they gave me a feeling of confidence as he chomped on them.  They are now available in three flavours: Organic Apple, Organic Carrot & Pumpkin and Organic Tomato and Sweet Red Pepper.  They are naturally free from added sugar and salt, containing only rice and fruit and vegetable juice.

Unfortunately, now Freddy has eaten grown-up foods his palate has matured and he favours stronger tastes.   The Rice Cakes did not hold too much appeal for him.

The Hipp Organic Little Nibbles range is perfect for a healthy, nutritious start for babies and toddlers.  I will be giving the rice cakes that Freddy won't eat to my friend's baby, who I'm sure will enjoy them as much as Freddy used to at the start of his self-feeding journey.

One product that always get the thumbs up in our house is puréed fruit pouches which are enjoyed by all of us!  So I was very pleased to see Hipp Organic announcing the arrival of their own organic Fruit Pouches, specially developed for babies aged 4 months and over.  The convenient pouches make it so easy to pop one in your handbag and the resealable lid keeps it mess free.

Available in Apple, Strawberry and Banana, Banana, Pear and Mango, Mango, Apple and Peach and Peach, Apple, Blueberry and Raspberry, they make fruit consumption fun and enjoyable!  Each pouch constitutes two of your baby's five a day.  They are bursting with fruity goodness!

Even as a toddler, Freddy will happily slurp a fruit purée direct from the pouch as a tasty snack.  They are so good for him, and such fun to eat.

www.hipp.co.uk includes comprehensive online resources for parents regarding the importance of 5 a day, toddler feeding plans, recipes, expert advice and product information.

Hipp Organic products are available in Boots, Sainsbury's, Tesco and Waitrose amongst others.  The new products add to the all encompassing range of products suitable from weaning through to toddlerhood!

Experience More with Wish.co.uk

What do you buy for the person who has everything?  This has been an age old problem for present buyers...but never fear, Wish.co.uk is here to help!

Wish.co.uk aims to make anyone's wishes come true by offering a wide range of gifts and experience ideas that are sure to thrill and delight any recipient, whatever the occasion.

Wish deals in fun, adding humour, charm and personality to the gift giving experience.  They aim to give you the best experience as painlessly as possible, so you'll keep coming back for more.  They are a small company with a big heart taking on the big boys to provide the best service they can.

So what is so special about Wish?

Wish guarantees the best price guaranteed or double the difference back! 

They also offer:

• No Fuss Exchanges and Guarantees.
• Free Fast Delivery.
• VIP Support.
• Gift Box as Standard.

The experiences on offer include exciting driving experiences, luxurious pamper days, indulgent cream teas, adrenaline inducing activities and relaxing hotel breaks. Truly something for everyone!  You can tailor the perfect gift by knowing what hobbies someone enjoys.  There is  a whole section dedicated to the joys of golf, comedy, singing, animals, gardening, dancing, cooking or eating.  You can find the ideal experience for your music mad daughter to your steam train enthusiast grandad! 

In order for me to review and experience the site, I have been gifted the fabulous Three Month Curry Recipe Kit Subscription.  For just £20 the subscription gives you all the spices and the recipes you need to create an Indian meal for four every month.  A gift box is sent to the recipient containing the Experience Voucher and details of the recommended experience and how to book it.  

It was very simple for me to activate my voucher online and I'm now awaiting my first Curry Kit.  You can be sure that I'll review it and so you can see how I get on.  I'm ensured that even a culinary dunce like me will be able to cook up an Indian storm in the kitchen!  I had a choice of vegetarian recipes which was a really thoughtful element to this experience from wish.co.uk.

I think the Curry Subscription would make a wonderful gift...giving three months of cooking and eating enjoyment!

So if you're stuck for the perfect gift look no further than wish.co.uk.  Even if you use another experience site, check out Wish...remember that best price guarantee!!  Prices for experiences start at under a tenner so whoever you need to buy for, there really are options for everyone.

With Christmas coming, Wish can help you deliver presents that will really thrill your loved ones (they will definitely beat getting yet another Christmas sweater!!)  So pop over to wish.co.uk and take a look at hundreds of experiences they have on offer  Whether you want to feed a lion or bungee jump or take a trip on the Orient Express they can make your wishes come true!

Press Information.

Own Label vs Big Brands

Manchester Metropolitan University recently carried out some independent research on behalf of Aldi  to compare the difference between own brand products and brand leaders.  The study showed that 91% of Aldi's range was judged as good as the more expensive market leaders and  27% of Aldi's products were actually rated as significantly better than the brands.

Dr Kritika Mahadevan from Manchester Metropolitan University commented: “When consumers tested the samples with no information about their origin or packaging, they liked many of the unbranded household staples just as much as their branded counterparts."

The research incorporated eleven everyday basket items, including cereal, bread, tea, lemonade, ketchup and baked beans, with one own-label version and one brand version for each. Both products were tested and compared in five key areas: appearance, aroma, flavour, texture and overall liking. 

Tony Baines, Managing Director of Buying: “The research shows that choosing lower priced products doesn’t always mean compromising on quality. Savvy shoppers can save large sums of money each time they shop with us and be reassured that they aren’t sacrificing standards. Aldi’s products are like brands, only cheaper.”

Shoppers who switch these eleven products from the brand leaders to Aldi’s own-label range stand to save £14.27 per shop. 

*Brand prices checked on MySupermarket.com 19^th August 2011


Aldi's products continue to win awards and be recognised by the press for their great quality and value.  I've been sent a lovely hamper of award winning items to enjoy!

With delicious offerings such as Moser Roth Chocolate (recommended by BBC Good Food), Wrinkle Stop (winner of Yours Magazine Anti-Ageing Beauty Awards 2011), Evoo Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Winner at Great Taste Awards 2011) and Del Rivo Orange Juice (Which? Taste Test Winner and Best Buy) ...these are all top quality goods!

If you are not already an Aldi convert,  give them a go...for great quality at discount prices!

Aldi have just launched their Facebook page...be sure to like it to keep up to date on news and offers.  Plus a competition is launching soon!  Don't miss out!  

Johnny English Reborn Competition **WINNERS ANNOUNCED**

** Edited 18/10/11


We have had a fantastic response to this competition and the five winners have been drawn by random.org.


WINNERS:

1st: @welshmumof3boys


Runners up:


@philiplickley
@bittytoffee
Brandish M



Congratulations!!


Please contact me by email at wendy_mcd83@hotmail.co.uk within 7 days with your address details which will be sent to the PR prizes for the prizes to be sent out! **


To celebrate the release of  Johnny English Reborn, Inside the Wendy House and Universal Pictures UK are giving one lucky reader the chance to win a signed poster and a fabulous goodie bag, with 4 runners up receiving a goodie bag each. Johnny English Reborn is out Friday October 7^th and stars Rowan Atkinson, Dominic West, Gillian Anderson and Rosamund Pike.

Question:

To be in with a chance of winning this awesome prize, simply answer this question:

What organisation does Johnny English work for?

a)      MI7

b)      KGB

c)       CIA

Leave your answer as a comment below along with a method of contacting you in case you are one of the lucky winners.

For a bonus entry tweet:

I Spy Great Johnny English Prizes to be won with @wendymcd83 at http://tinyurl.com/3ncgkja

(Leave me a separate comment to let me know you have tweeted!)

Watch the Trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOSZLgzgnBs&feature=channel_video_title

Competition closes on October 17th 9pm, when the 5 winners will be picked at random.  UK only.

1^st Prize: Win a signed poster and a goodie bag

4 Runner-up Prizes: Win a goodie bag

Terms and conditions

• The winners will be drawn at random from all the correct entries, and only they will be contacted personally. Prize must be taken as stated and cannot be deferred. There will be no cash alternatives.
• Universal Pictures UK and Inside the Wendy House do not accept any responsibility for late or lost entries due to the Internet or email problems. Proof of sending is not proof of receipt. Entrants must supply full details as required on the competition page, and comply with all rules to be eligible for the prizes.
• No responsibility is accepted for ineligible entries or entries made fraudulently.
• Unless otherwise stated, the Competition is open to all GB residents, except employees of: (a) the Company; and (b) any third party appointed by the Company to organise and/or manage the Competition; and (c) the Competition sponsor(s).
• This competition is a game promoted by Inside the Wendy House. The decision is final in every situation and no correspondence will be entered into. Wendy reserves the right to cancel the competition at any stage, if deemed necessary in its opinion, and if circumstances arise outside of its control.
• Entrants will be deemed to have accepted these rules and to agree to be bound by them when entering this competition. These rules are governed by the laws of England and Wales.
• Prizes unclaimed after 7 days will be deemed to have been forfeited and Wendy reserves the right to either offer the prize to the entrant whose name is next drawn at random or to re-offer the prize in any future competition.

What Do We Tell Our Kids?

Yesterday my teenaged daughter watched a video on Tumblr.  It  showed the brutal and barbaric killing of a homosexual African man at the hands of a mob.  The defenceless man was mercilessly beaten and eventually set on fire.  No one helped him, bystanders simply filmed the senseless attack.  There was no mercy.  There was no humanity.  It was callous and matter of fact. He made no attempt to fight back, he seemed resigned to the fact that he was being murdered.  It took place on a busy street in broad daylight.  This was his punishment for being a gay man in an intolerant country.  No one will be brought to justice over this.  No remorse will be shown for his hideous death.  This killing was done in the name of the Christian church.

I can not protect my teenager from witnessing such things on the internet, nor would I want to.  This is the world she lives in. I would never want to police or restrict her online activity or limit her freedom. After all, she has access to computers everywhere nowadays.  I believe in teaching my children to be self-limiting rather than impose strict boundaries myself. I have however always encouraged an open and honest dialogue with my children and I was so glad that she immediately came to me following her discovery of something that had disturbed her.  It gave us a chance to discuss things.

But how can you explain that the God we learn about in school and church, the subject of the Lord's Prayer that we eagerly recite as children,  is the same God that inspires such hatred, violence and intolerance?  Is this spiteful, wrathful and vengeful God the same one that told us to 'Love Thy Neighbour'?   It makes no sense.

How in 2011 can such extreme bigotry be accepted by both the authorities and the average man on the street?  How can Christianity be twisted in this way to justify such inhumanity towards your fellow man?  It is beyond my comprehension.

My own political views are not extremely liberal.  As I have got older, I have swapped the ideology of my youth with a tougher, more cynical approach as I have witnessed the erosion of respect in our own society.  My ideas about law, order and punishment have definitely taken a new direction where the human rights of the perpetrator become secondary to that of the victims. I do not believe in the necessity of preserving the rights of a criminal to the extent of where ridiculous lengths are taken to do so, often at the detriment of the party that have been wronged.  I don't believe in a soft touch justice system that is open to abuse by career criminals.  But in what world do we give ourselves the job of being judge, jury and executioner of someone whose only "crime" is to be 'different'? This is the 21st century, not the dark ages.  What on earth is happening to our world?

We all have our own moral compass.  We are responsible for our actions and behaviour and have a line over which we would never cross.  But when someone truly believes that their behaviour is fully justified, they feel they have done no wrong.  Whatever happened to the simple idea of 'do unto others...'?

I hate to live in a world where so many inexcusably bad things happen.  Not just this one incident, but the millions of incidents of cruelty, abuse, neglect, violence and hatred that occur everyday.  It literally breaks my heart.  I have always tried to bring my children up to do their best and be their best.  To shine a little light into the lives of people they meet.  To try to make a difference.

My daughter was obviously and understandably upset and outraged by the video but her response to what she had seen was to want to help. She wants to try to heal the world and do something, however small, to make it a better place.  I find that so humbling.  Many of the other kids on Tumblr who had reblogged or commented on the video showed similar outrage and spoke eloquently about injustice and inhumanity.  My daughter is going to look into charity work.  She wants to raise money for causes and hopes to do her bit for this world.

Her Facebook status read:

I'm going to change the world...help people, make someone happy...I don't know. I just want to make a difference...even a little. This world needs help.


I am so very proud of her, her humanity, her empathy for others and her desire to try to do something positive.  Our kids are the future of this planet...I pray that they do a better job than previous generations have. 

My Top Five Worst Jobs

This week's Listography is My Top Five Worst Jobs I've ever done.  Now, I feel a bit embarrassed to admit I've never really spent too long in the workplace.  Ian's job allows me to be a 'kept woman' aka stay at home mother to his children.  This has saved me from having to take jobs through necessity.  So to pick my Top 5, I have to look way, way back into my dim and distant past!

1:  Bar Wench
At the Holiday Inn Heathrow, I spent a few months working in the bar as a 'wench' as they liked to call it.  My hours were 8pm to 3am.  This was when I was 18 and in the sixth form at school doing my A'Levels.  I'd left home to live with a ne'er do well boyfriend and was supporting him with my bar work.  I remember working until three then having my History exam the next morning.  It was a miracle I got my results!!

The job itself was OK but shortlived.  I loved chatting with the businessmen, golf pros and other people passing through enroute to sunnier climes.  I loved it when American businessmen who were returning home to the USA would tip me with all the UK cash they had left, thanking me for looking after them all week.  I'd stuff the money in my bra to avoid putting it into the tip pot that was shared amongst the other staff (half of whom were so, so lazy it was untrue!)  A bit naughty, but I earned it, not them!  My eldest sister thought I was turning tricks for the extra pounds!! hehe

2:  Laboratory Assistant
I worked at Horlicks testing the raw ingredients that went into the products.  I sometimes got a bit bored just weighing, measuring, drying out and burning products.  So I used to 'play' with the chemicals.  I'd pop over to the fume cabinet and mix up a few acids etc.  Not my best idea!  I was six months pregnant when accidentally added too much of something to something else (goodness knows what it was!!) and it exploded.  I was showered with acid that burnt holes through my denim maternity dungarees.  I was so upset by what might have happened.  I was an absolute idiot!  Thankfully I left to have my baby Joe, and never returned to a lab again!

3:  Gift Wrapper at Boots
I was a Saturday girl at Boots when I was 16.  I worked in a few departments, Baby, Cosmetics, Electrical etc.  By far the worst thing I did was when I was told to work on a gift wrapping stand at Christmas.  People had to pay for the service and there I was with no experience armed only with my Sellotape and a roll of gift wrap.  I was mortified as I made an utter hash of other people's pressie wrapping...I was under such pressure.  After about an hour and a half, I was told to go onto a till instead.  Someone must have complained...oh the shame :(

4:  Telephone Lineage Representative
When I was 20 I had a boyfriend in sales.  He was right fancy and drove a Porsche.  He kept a box of cash under his bed.  I think I felt I had to be as 'good' as him and so I had my son childminded by my sister while I went to work at Thomson Directories during its heyday (pre-Google!!)  I worked with the lineage advertisers, designing pictorial adverts for them to sell them up into the leagues of the big spenders.  We were trained to do this and I passed the exam with 99% (damn me for getting a date of some market research wrong!)  I went into the job believing the hype of the sales training.  The very first call I made was to a solicitor's office.  I launched in with the patter...but the person on the other end of the phone was obviously not privy to the stock answers I had heard in my role play!  He was down right rude and did not want my product!!  No one told me that was going to happen!  From that point my bubble burst...I never bothered with the pitch again and became a "do you want to advertise or not?" type of salesperson.  I probably did just as well as I would have done had I followed the script, and saved myself any further embarrassment!  But my heart went out of it from that point.  I left within a year!  And split with the fancy pants boyfriend too!!

5: Teaching Assistant for a Rubbish Teacher
The only job I've done in recent years, working around having the kids is that of a Specialist Teaching Assistant.  This has at times been an inspirational and rewarding role.  However for one year it was an absolute nightmare.  I was put to work with a NQT  which I thought was a great opportunity.  However this odious creature proved to be an absolute nightmare to work with.  I hated the way that the children were treated, they never knew where they stood.  One minute, teacher was like a children's entertainer, next minute teacher was a tyrant yelling into their faces with spit flying everywhere.  I was reprimanded for comforting a sobbing child.  I was made to do jobs that were not my responsibility.  I was asked to cover for the teacher's mistakes.  I had to listen to malicious talk about fellow members of staff.  I had to report them and still face them each day...it was horrible.  I ended up off ill with stress.  Thankfully contracts were not renewed and evil teacher was gone.  The experience really killed my spirits.

Silent Sundae!

Toddler Bath Wrap Review

I love it when Freddy comes out of the bath, all warm and sweet smelling.  Nothing beats wrapping him up in a big, soft towel and snuggling him close to dry him.  At 2 years old, he isn't a baby anymore, so a lot of hooded towels on the market are now too small for him.  The Toddler Wrap from thebestbedlinenintheworld.com however, is a perfect solution to post bath time snuggling.  This large sized hooded towel is big enough to envelop your toddler completely, with the corner hood keeping their head covered.

I was sent a Toddler Bath Wrap to review.  The pure white 100% cotton towel is trimmed in either pink or blue piping.  It is super soft with a velour outer and towelling inner.  It is a big 100cm by 100cm diamond shape with a hood in one corner.  The stitching is secure and the towel is ultra-soft yet still very durable and strong.

thebestbedlinenintheworld.com

Blue Piping around the Hood.

Extra large size.

Freddy enjoyed his bath and then we scooped him out and snuggled him up in the Toddler Wrap with the hood on his head.  It is really soft and a fabulous quality.  He looked like a little superhero in his cape!

He could be snuggled up close and was completely covered, due to the large size of the towel.  The hood fitted well and kept him warm and snug.

The Toddler Bath Wrap is part of a Limited Edition Collection and is available at the great price of £15 with Free UK Delivery direct from The Best Bed Linen in The World.

Freddy enjoyed his luxurious Toddler Bath Wrap Towel and I am impressed by the softness, quality and size.  It is machine washable and will last your baby for years.

You can like thebestbedlinenintheworld.com's Facebook page to keep up to date with the latest news and chat.  And check out the website for their great selection of luxury, hotel quality bed linen, pillows, duvets and towels!