Valentine's Day Crafts from Baker Ross

Baker Ross sent us some great crafting goodies for creating some lovely Valentine's Day or Mother's Day gifts. 

The children really enjoyed decorating heart shaped ceramic trinket boxes using some lovely, pastel coloured porcelain paints.  The heart shaped boxes are £3.49 for a box of four, which is excellent value.  They are 8cm in size and come with a fitted lid.  They can be decorated to create very personal gifts for loved ones.

The Hobbyline Brights Porcelain Paint Pots come in six bright pastel colours: orange, rose, ice green, opal blue, reseda and white.  They cost £10.99.  The paint goes on really nicely and can be baked to heat fix the design. They are the perfect medium to decorate the ceramic trinket boxes.

The kids enjoyed coming up with different designs for each of the ceramic heart trinket boxes that they decorated. Freddy wanted to make one for his big sister Ella with her name on!  Other designs involved stippling, geometric designs and dots.

The paint dries with a nice sheen, giving a great end result.  I loved Freddy's pot with a pink snowflake on top.  It is such a good way to bring out a child's creativity.

Painting the heart shaped trinket boxes was a really lovely craft activity with good end results.  They are a really great idea for making presents for mums, grandparents and other loved ones.  It would also be a lovely activity to do at a birthday party.

We also received a Spring Card Activity Set, which sells for £6.99. Each pack includes patterned and coloured card, corrugated card, pre-punched card baskets, textured and tinted paper, ribbon, decorative crystals, split pins and stickers.  There are 88 items in the pack, making it really good value. There are also instructions for projects.  

It is a kit that will let children have some springtime crafting fun, making cards, decorations, models, displays and other crafts, such as this cute birdhouse.  

There is so much potential for creativity and the colours and designs of the card and paper are really subtle, seasonal and nice. It is a really versatile kit encouraging children to try card and paper crafting.  

You can find all these crafting products plus hundreds more on the Baker Ross website at www.bakerross.co.uk.  They have craft sets, accessories and products for all seasons and special events.  I love their stuff and so do my crafty kids!

Eating myself healthy - featuring Vegancity and Gourmet Spirulina

This winter has not been good for me health wise.  I picked up a bug back in October and ended up with a seemingly never ending round of coughs, colds, sinusitis, flu, upper respiratory and chest infections. I didn't have a 'well' day in three months.  When feeling grotty, lethargic and poorly becomes the norm, you know you have to take action.

This year, I made a stand against my ill health and pledged to start 2015 by embracing a much healthier lifestyle.  This means that all cooking will be done from scratch, incorporating lots of super healthy, nutrient rich ingredients.  Processed foods and refined sugars are to be kept to an absolute minimum. So far, I have kept to this new regime, and finally I am feeling good again!

Mornings start with a green smoothie made in my Nutribullet.  With 50% green vegetables such as kale and spinach, along with 50% fruit such as  banana, satsuma, apple, berries, kiwi or pear, plus a handful of nuts or seeds, topped with filtered water, my morning meal is a blast of vitamins, iron, anti-oxidants and plant goodness in a glass.

Family dinner times have been completely overhauled using menu planning and meals include tofu stir fry, lentil and sweet potato curry, vegetable based pasta dishes, Quorn and veg shepherd's pie and slow cooked veggie stews. Thankfully the kids are enjoying their vegetable laden meals.

Taking supplements is a great way to ensure that the whole family are getting a full range of nutrients and having every aspect of their health supported.  Vegancity supply 100% vegan supplements which are high quality, ethically sourced and suitable for everyone.  The company is committed to re-using packaging materials, using recyclable containers and reducing waste, minimising their carbon footprint. They are good for you, good for the planet and are cruelty free.

I received some Ester-C 1000 tablets which are a non-acidic form of the powerful antioxidant vitamin C.  They help boost the immune system and help the body fight viral attacks. They are priced at £7.95 for 30. I also received a bottle of Multivitamin and Mineral tablets. They contain a comprehensive vegan vitamin and mineral combination that covers all the major nutrients needed for good health. They are easy to take and convenient, perfect for topping up a healthy lifestyle and cost £7.75 for 60. Supplements are good for providing peace of mind, knowing that everyone is getting everything they need nutritionally to keep healthy.

Vegancity sell a huge range of vegan tablets and tinctures that are free from sugar, gluten, yeast and wheat, making them perfect for everyone.  I love that they are all vegetarian and vegan friendly, as so many supplements contain gelatin or products derived from animal sources, which I won't eat.  It's good to know that I can shop with confidence from Vegancity.

Find out more at www.vegancity.com.

Gourmet Spirulina is a range of nutritionally dense artisanal nibs, petals and crunchies, made using the iron, vitamin and antioxidant rich ingredient, raw spirulina.  Spirulina is considered a superfood, made from microscopic algae, that can help support health.  It is dark green in colour and contains phycocyanin, which is a blue pigment and a highly reactive antioxidant.

Spirulina Petals are delicate in both taste and texture, making them ideal for discovering both the taste and nutritional benefits of raw spirulina. They are ideal sprinkled in desserts or eaten in a dried fruit mix.

Spirulina Nibs are the mildest spirulina superfood with a nutty-taste, they are ideal for people new to the taste of raw spirulina, and can be sprinkled into virtually any dish.

Spirulina Crunchies are crisp and tasty, packed with chlorophyll. Their crispy texture makes them an ideal snack with fruit juice and they are also ideal for adding to everyday dishes, or nutritious smoothies.

I was sent a selection of samples and tried the Gourmet Spirulina Crunchies, which have a fine gravelly consistency, a crunchy texture and a savoury taste. It was quite an intense and interesting eating experience that turned my teeth green!  The flavour is quite unique but not unpleasant.  For me, the idea of adding the Gourmet Spirulina to dishes or sprinkling over meals seems like a great way to add some potent nutrients to what I eat.  I'll definitely be adding a Spirulina boost to my green smoothies.

Gourmet Spirulina Nibs, Gourmet Spirulina Petals and Gourmet Spirulina Crunchies all retail at £13.00 for 90g and are available on-line from www.pulpastore.co.uk and in health food stores.

I am really enjoying trying harder with the food I prepare for my family, packing as much goodness as I can into meals.  It's always great to find new vegetarian and vegan products like the Spirulina to add a little extra nutritional oomph into what I make.

I really do believe that we are what we eat, and my improving health is proving to me that paying extra attention to what goes in my mouth is definitely beneficial.  

Playmobil Easter Gift Eggs

This Easter, why not get the kids a gift that will last a lot longer than a chocolate egg?  

Playmobil Eggs are a brilliant alternative, containing a fabulous Playmobil figure and accessories inside a colourful plastic shell.  The contents build into a lovely playset and are available in different themes to suit the child's taste.  We received a Playmobil Pirates Egg and a Playmobil Princesses Egg to try out.  

The packaging is very enticing, with the large egg showing through the cardboard surround.  The 13 cm tall egg opens into two halves and inside is the Playmobil toy set.  The 50 piece pirate set consists of a pirate figure in full regalia along with a rowing boat and lots of bits and bobs such as a treasure chest, gold coins, pistol and drinking bottle.  The  princess  comes with a vanity station, plant pot, flowers and beauty accessories in a 27 piece set. 

Freddy was really excited to get his hands on the Playmobil Pirate Egg. He loved the pirate set that was inside it and with a little help was able to put the bits of the rowing boat together.  The pirate was soon rowing his boat and waving his pistol in the air! Freddy already has some other Playmobil Pirates toys, and this new set will be a fabulous addition to the collection. The quality and detail of Playmobil makes it one of my favourite toy brands and I love how they are equally good as a stand alone toy or as a collectible toy.

The Playmobil Easter Eggs are recommended for children aged between 3 and 10 years old.  They are excellently priced at £6.99.  This year Playmobil have the pirate and the princess egg, as well as a beach scene and a tractor egg to choose from.

They will be available online at www.playmobil.co.uk in time for Easter.  (You can set up an email reminder to let you know when they are available to buy.)

Help! I'm a Granny and Galaxy Quick Reads - Book Reviews

Help! I'm a Granny

Two years ago, I made the generation leap and became a granny to my adorable little grandson Ted,  my eldest son Joe's little boy.  Becoming a granny was in equal measure quite a shock (I was only 43 and it seemed like only yesterday that Joe was being peeled off of my legs by his infant school teacher because he didn't want to leave my side) and an absolute joy!  Seeing my own little boy (OK 26 isn't that little, but he'll always be my baby) becoming a father and making a life of his own in the big wide world, really puts the passing of time into perspective.  Ted's arrival into our family came when my own youngest child Freddy was only 3 years old, so I was juggling being a mum to my own little one with becoming a granny.  So I was never going to be the old school Nana, sat in her rocking chair knitting baby blankets for my grandbabies.  Instead, the generation gap blurred and we all muck in together in our big, crazy and exceptionally wonderful extended family that is filled with love and laughter!

Finding out that you are going to be a grandparent and making that mental transition into your new role can seem a bit daunting at times. Knowing how best to be supportive and offer advice without interfering can see you walking a fine line at times.  Defining your role, especially when there is another Nana on the scene, who in our case lives in the same town as my son, his fiance and Ted, who gets to see them much more than I do as I live 2 hours away, can take some soul searching. Wanting to be more involved is difficult when distance is part of the equation. But I know that the part I am playing in my grandson's life is every bit as valuable, and the relationship I have with Ted is becoming more and more rewarding as he gets older.  Having Ted and Freddy close in age gives me a special bond with my future daughter-in-law, as we can relate to being mummies together.

For anyone else going through the same experience and becoming a first time granny, the book Help! I'm a Granny may prove an invaluable companion.  Written by newspaper columist and agony aunt Flic Everett, it is a comprehensive guide to becoming and being a gran, written in a friendly, light hearted and informal way.  It's like sharing your worries, your guilt and your jealousy with a friend. The real life stories make it feel very personal.

It is laid out in easy to navigate sections with practical lists, true stories, quizzes and instructions. Some of the chapters did seem a little like teaching your granny to suck eggs, but I am still a mum to a little one so haven't forgotten how to feed a baby, tackle a tantrum or pack a changing bag.  But if it has been years since you were a hands on mummy, the bitesize advice may prove invaluable.  There is also a dummy's guide to technology that own my mum would find really useful, explaining the pros and cons of social media and apps for staying in touch.

The quizzes are quite fun.  It turns out I'm a 'Cool Gran' and a 'Rebel Granny'...I'll totally take that!

Help! I'm a Granny would make a great gift for any soon to be grandparents or would make a useful, easy reading handbook for yourself when you find yourself about to be a gran. It makes you feel like you are not alone and gives you some different perspectives on the emotions, responsibilities and joys of being a granny!

Hardback £9.99
Publication date: February 19th 2015


Galaxy Quick Reads

If you enjoy reading but are struggling to find the time to get stuck into a novel, then check out the new Galaxy Quick Reads.  Written by best selling authors, they are like their real books, but shorter. They are also excellent introductions into reading, for adults who find the prospect of tackling a full length book intimidating.

The titles are:

Dead Man Talking - Roddy Doyle

Paris for Two One - Jojo Moyes

Red for Revenge -Fanny Blake

Pictures or it Didn't Happen - Sophie Hannah

Out Of The Dark - Adéle Geras

Street Can Bob - James Bowen

Galaxy Quick Reads are bite-sized books written by best-selling authors which cost only £1. They are available from bookshops, supermarkets and online or can be borrowed from libraries across the country. They are also available as eBooks across all major eBook platforms. For more information visit www.quickreads.org.uk. 

Bath Time Fun for Little Ones with the Bathtime Buddies Alphabet Set

A Bathtime Poem

The bath is not just for cleaning and washing,

It's a place for fun and splishing and sploshing!

A place for imagination and play.

A place to unwind at the end of the day.

When little Freddy jumps himself in,

Submerging himself right up to this chin,

Immersed in a sea of bubbly bubbles

Full of magical fun, free from all troubles.

One of the things he really enjoys

Is having some fun and playing with toys.

My little schoolboy is quite discerning,

Enjoying mixing play with learning,

So his favourite toy to get,

Is his Bathtime Buddies Alphabet Set!

                              

Learning how to read and spell,

Is something he is doing well,

His ability just keeps getting better,

The more he plays with the colourful letters.
Making words, spelling names,
Learning while he plays his games!

They stick to the side of the bath,

(And also to him, which makes him laugh!)

The 65 letters can also float,

Like a fleet of alphabetical boats.

And when bathtime is over for another day,

The letters are easy to pack away.

Scoop them up - water and all

Then drain with the lid...this is so cool!

A clean boy and tidy bath post play,

Is thanks to the experts at H & A!

Overview: The Bathtime Buddies Alphabet Set consists of 65 lowercase foam letters that float in water and can stick to tiles and onto the bath tub. They come in a storage tub with a holed lid for drainage.

They are fun, educational and there are plenty of repeated letters to make words with.  They float and stick well and are a great value bath toy for little ones to enjoy!

Suitable for ages 3+. Available in Asda, Sainsbury’s, Tesco & Wilko  RRP £3.30

Shake Up your Wake Up with Nestle Cereals #BreakfastWeek

Nestle are celebrating #BreakfastWeek by inviting us all to shake up our wake up and make breakfast times more fun.  They want us to get creative with the kids and mix and match our cereals to make a yummy concoction to start the day.  Not only will this encourage kids to get involved with preparing their breakfast, it will ensure they enjoy a nutritious start to their morning.

Funnily enough, breakfast cereal concoctions have been a 'thing' here Inside the Wendy House for as long as I can remember.  Why have one type of cereal when you can have two or even three?  There is so much choice and with every green bannered box of Nestle breakfast cereals, you know you are getting wholegrain goodness and at least five vitamins and minerals.  You really can't go wrong.

Freddy's favourite, which he has every morning is a Cheerio and Shreddies combo with cold, almond milk.

So, here I give to you Freddy's Nestle Cheerio and Shreddies combo:

Freddio's Shreddio's!

Kezia went for a mix of Curiously Cinnamon and Cookie Crisp, served with a splash of cold almond milk (or eaten dry from a bowl as a tasty brekkie on her way to school along with a drinkable yogurt for a hearty breakfast on the go!)

Kezia called her combo:  Sugar and Spice.

Chickpea Scotch Egg Recipe #vegetarian

I have been challenged by British Lion Eggs to come up with a family recipe using eggs as the main ingredient. As a vegetarian, eggs play an important role in my family's diet, being a good source of protein, vitamin D and iron.  I love how versatile they are and that they can be added to so many recipes in so many different ways

This is a recipe for vegetarian Scotch Eggs using a chickpea falafel style mix to cover hard boiled eggs, before coating them in golden breadcrumbs and oven baking.  I usually use a vegan sausage mix to make Scotch Eggs, but this recipe creates a much lighter Scotch Egg with a pleasant hint of warming spices.  Oven baking makes them less greasy than their deep fried counterparts, and keeps the calorie count down.  They are perfect served hot as part of a meal, or can be served cold for a picnic or a buffet.

Ingredients 

4 free range British Lion eggs

1 400g can chickpeas (drained)

1 small red onion

1 clove garlic

1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon paprika

2 teaspoons parsley

ground black pepper 

pinch salt

2 slices wholemeal bread as crumbs

1 egg beaten

golden breadcrumbs

Method

Boil eggs by placing in cold water, bringing to boil and boiling for 5-6 minutes.

Remove from heat and transfer to sink.  Run cold water into the pan until cool.

Put chickpeas, onion, garlic and seasoning into food processor and blitz.

Add breadcrumbs to thicken using the pulse setting.

Shell the eggs and wrap a quarter of the chickpea mix around each one. (Flour hands if it gets too sticky!)

Dip covered egg in beaten egg and then roll onto a plate of golden breadcrumbs to coat.

Cook at GM6 for 15 minutes.

I only ever buy eggs which are free range, where the hens are well looked after and given freedom to roam outdoors.  I also look out for the British Lion safety mark which guarantees the egg has been produced in accordance with a strict code of practice (which has virtually eradicated salmonella in the British egg industry).

To find our more information about using eggs, such as advice on eggs and pregnancy, egg safety, recipes and nutritional information visit the British Lion Eggs website at egginfo.co.uk.