Some Great Kids' Books on Review

February 27, 2014, 5:49 am

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Mungo Monkey has a Birthday Party

This is an incredibly cute, colourful storybook from illustrator Lydia Monks, made even better by the addition of lots of fun flaps inside. It tells the story of Mungo as he prepares for his birthday party.

There is so much to do and little ones can join in with the fun and see what is happening by lifting the flaps!

We loved the colourful illustrations and the cute characters. The story is simple and sweet and little ones will relate to the tale of Mungo as he bakes a cake, blows up party balloons and chooses a costume to wear.

Egmont

RRP £7.99

Publishing March 2014

CBeebies Woolly and Tig

Fans of Woolly and Tig will enjoy the range of activity books, story books and sticker books featuring their favourite cuddly toy spider. The Wipe Clean Activity Book lets little ones practice their writing. Freddy really enjoyed writing his letters, rubbing them off and writing them all over again!

There are lots of things to do and learn, with everyday subjects at the heart of the content. For example Woolly looks at dinner times and eating in restaurants to teach some early counting and maths skills.

Pre-schoolers can learn vocabulary, trace words and match stickers along with Woolly and Tig.

The colourful sticker sheets are always a hit with children and they allow even the youngest kids to interact with the activities.

The story books reinforce the messages of Woolly and Tig, helping little people share their worries and cope with new situations and experiences.

The Woolly and Tig Books are available now from:

I Love Mummy £5.99 RRP

Let's Play Sticker Book £3.99 RRP

Out and About Sticker Book £3.99 RRP

Night Night Woolly £5.99 RRP

My Wipe Clean Activity Book (with pen) £3.99

Have Fun with Woolly and Tig £3.99

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Pancake Pile-Up Game Review

February 27, 2014, 7:38 am

≫ Next: Dressing Up Ideas for Kids: World Book Day, 6th March

≪ Previous: Some Great Kids' Books on Review

Pancake Pile-Up! is a great way to enjoy Pancake Day this year (and it's completely calorie free!)

It is a fun relay race game where you stack 'em high and serve 'em up according to the illustrations on the order cards. Using their spatulas, little ones race to find the right pancakes in the right order and stack them on the paper plate topped with a pat of butter, to win the game.

We were sent the game to try out together. I loved the pancakes which are soft to touch and decorated with strawberries, bananas, choc chips and blueberries. They sit well on the spatulas ready to race. The game comes with order cards and the idea is for the players to collect the pancakes in order to make up the required stack as quickly as possible. The bottom of the box doubles up as a griddle for the pancakes throughout the game, which is a nice touch. It's fast, it's fun and can be played with two players or teams.

This is a game of speed, co-ordination, concentration and sequencing. It enhances memory skills and children can practice ordering. Children learn to pay attention and take turns if they play in teams. Balance and hand-eye co-ordination is enhanced and gross motor skills are developed. Kids are up and active as they race to complete the order in this physical game. It is a great activity for rainy days or for when Freddy has friends round to play.

Freddy loved playing the relay race with his sisters, but he also loved using the game for role play. He enjoyed serving us up stacks of pancakes matching the orders to the cards. We talked about all the different flavours of pancakes available and he practiced his counting skills as he served up our pancakes. So the play value of this game goes way beyond the rules!

The game is suitable for children aged 4 and up. Freddy is 4 and it was perfect for him. It really is a lovely game which doubles up as a short order chef play set!

Pancake Pile-Up! can be purchased online from Learning Resources priced at £14.95 + VAT.

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Dressing Up Ideas for Kids: World Book Day, 6th March

February 28, 2014, 4:50 am

≫ Next: TalkTalk Money Saving Phone Boosts

≪ Previous: Pancake Pile-Up Game Review

Most children love dressing up. Many will have a dressing up box, filled with costumes and accessories and will enjoy spending many hours living out scenarios in imaginative games of make believe. Little boys will enjoy the opportunity and freedom to express themselves and what little girl wouldn't love pretending to be a Pirate Princess in this great girl’s fancy dress outfit from Asda! (Unless of course they would prefer to be a soldier or a Power Ranger...anything goes when playing dressing up!)

While it’s a great game to encourage self expression and practice role play, dressing up is even better when there’s a reason for it. Take World Book Day, for example. Children nationwide will be able to participate in this global celebration of the written word, with many schools asking for the pupils to turn up to class wearing a fancy dress costume of some description, to commemorate their favourite book or comic. This fantastic annual event that has operated since 2007 continues to help promote reading and literature, and the importance of these elements in day to day life.

If your children need a costume for World Book Day, there are plenty of places to look for inspiration. If you’re feeling particularly crafty, you may have time to conjure one up with the magic of a sewing machine, or you could rummage through what they already have for a makeshift outfit. Alternatively, you could take a look at the options that are available in the shops – many of which are superb value, so you don’t have to worry about your purse. Here are some ideas:

Superheroes

If your children love comic books, use this as inspiration for a costume. It’s easy to find an outfit that matches your child's favourite superheroes – Batman, Superman, Spiderman, Thor – you name it, there’ll be a costume to suit. Many superhero costumes can be found in George at a reasonable price. For example, this Thor outfit complete with hammer is just £12.50.

Princesses

Does your little girl love to read about her favourite fairytale princess? Perhaps she’s a fan of Disney movies and the princesses have inspired her to read about the original characters? Whether it’s Rapunzel, Snow White or Cinderella, princess outfits are an easy choice for girls who love a happy ending.

Wizards

'You’re a wizard, Harry!' You may have introduced the Harry Potter books to your children because you have read them yourself, or your child may have found them on their own, but dressing up as their favourite wizard is a great way for them to give a tip of their wizard hat to the ‘the boy who lived’. Just add a zig zag scar with face paint and they'll be ready for a day at Hogwart's!

I'm heading to Asda at the weekend, to buy a fancy dress costume for Freddy on his first World Book Day at school. I'll have the camera ready to capture the moment!

On World Book Day, every youngster who is in full time education is given a £1 voucher that can either be used to buy a World Book Day book or used as money off a standard book that the child would like. Take advantage of the opportunity and spend some quality time reading with your child – in full dress up, of course!

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TalkTalk Money Saving Phone Boosts

February 28, 2014, 4:52 am

≫ Next: Some of our ideas for World Book Day

≪ Previous: Dressing Up Ideas for Kids: World Book Day, 6th March

TalkTalk customers can take advantage of some money saving monthly boosts for their home telephone. So whether you regularly call mobile numbers or if you phone family abroad you can save money by purchasing these monthly add ons with your Essentials and Plus TV packages, and save pounds!

100 Mobile Minutes Boost

Anytime calls to UK mobiles
£3.00 a month
Save up to £12!
Exceed package and calls are charged at standard rate
Check usage online at My Account

1000 Mobile Minutes Boost

1000 minutes of anytime calls to UK mobile
Just £5.00 a month
Even better value saving up to £50 a month!
Exceed package and calls are charged at standard rate
Check usage online at My Account

International Calls Boost

Unlimited international landline calls to 36 countries
Includes USA, Australia and Europe
Up to 95% discount on calls to other countries
Just £3.50 a month

500 Global Minutes Boost

500 minutes of calls to 100 countries including mobiles and landlines
Simple, hassle free calling direct from your home phone
Flexible monthly boost can be added or removed online
Track and manage usage online
No hidden costs
Just £5.00 a month

Purchasing these flexible Boosts really can help trim your monthly phone bill if you make a lot of mobile or international calls, so are well worth considering. The Boosts are easy to add or remove from your account online.

Find out more at www.talktalk.co.uk/boosts

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Some of our ideas for World Book Day

February 28, 2014, 12:00 pm

≫ Next: Pancake Day with Lyle's Golden Syrup

≪ Previous: TalkTalk Money Saving Phone Boosts

March 6th is World Book Day. A day to celebrate the joy of reading! Kids across the country will be joining in with the celebrations as many schools get onboard with the fun. Both Kizzy and Freddy will be going to school wearing fancy dress, as they adopt the appearance of favourite book characters. It's a lovely way to get even the most reluctant readers interested in reading books.

Whether you purchase a ready made fancy dress costume or if you make your own, there are hundreds of different characters to choose from. A survey of 800 mums found that the two most popular characters for children in the UK to dress up as on World Book Day are the Gruffalo and Harry Potter*. Harry Potter costumes are relatively easy to do, but the Gruffalo would be more of a challenge and definitely not something I'll be trying!

Image: Fancydressball.co.uk

This year Kizzy's class are dressing up as characters from classical fiction and she is planning on going as 20's socialite Daisy Buchanan from The Great Gatsby. She has a twenties style dress accessorised with a hairband, brooch and 20's hair and make-up. She is currently reading the book in preparation. She reads way above her age and loves fashion, so Daisy is an ideal (if not a little unconventional) choice for my 11 year old.

Freddy has decided that he wants to be a knight like King Arthur or Mike the Knight! He has a costume already so this is an easy one. I like having a few outfits in the dressing up box that we can use for parties or events. He will undoubtedly change his mind several times before the big day and so the Iron Man costume will be on stand by.

Over the years I have made lots of different costumes for my children to wear. One of my favourites is the Scarecrow from The Wizard of Oz. To make it, I took an old jacket that my mum had chucked out and customised it to make it a bit raggedy by ripping the lining and fraying the seams. I sewed on clumps of straw and toy mice to give a scarecrow-like feel to the outfit then tied some string around the waist. I added a straw hat, topped with a stuck on straw bird's nest and toy chick and added a spider dangling from the rim. The outfit was worn over old clothes with the trouser hems cut into zigzags This outfit has been used time and time again over the last 15 years for the kids for fancy dress parties and Book Days! Here's a picture of my eldest son Joe (who is now 25) wearing it.

Fast forward to 2010 and Kizzy is wearing the Scarecrow jacket for her World Book day costume! Reusing and recycling at its very best!

Another outfit from when when Kizzy was even littler, I made her a Caveman Dave's 'braver sister Ava' costume. I butchered a furry cushion cover to make a tabard and accessorised it with cardboard bones in her bunches and a shell necklace. We cut the bottom of some old leggings to give them a jagged, pre-historic look! She looked very cute and it was a very easy costume to make.

We have had a lot of fun over the years dressing up for World Book Day. As a Teaching Assistant I made my class laugh when I dressed up as James and the Giant Peach, using my rather large pregnant belly clad in a bright orange t-shirt as the peach!

Whatever your kids decide to dress up in this year, I hope you all have fun and celebrate the joy of reading!

*Survey results brought to you by fancydressball.co.uk

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Pancake Day with Lyle's Golden Syrup

March 3, 2014, 2:34 am

≫ Next: Our Foodimal - the Saladder!

≪ Previous: Some of our ideas for World Book Day

If you are looking for something sweet and scrummy to serve with your pancakes on Shrove Tuesday then look no further than these easy to squeeze Lyle's Golden Syrup bottles in Original Golden Syrup and Maple Flavoured Golden Syrup varieties. Priced at just £1 each you can find them in supermarkets ready for Pancake Day! Just squeeze over your freshly cooked pancakes and enjoy!

If you are looking fpr a super simple pancake recipe to serve up with your Lyle's Golden Syrup, here is a video of Kizzy making No Recipe Pancakes. Great for the kids to make as all they need is a cup to measure out equal parts flour and milk, then add an egg and mix together.

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Our Foodimal - the Saladder!

March 3, 2014, 3:34 am

≫ Next: Making Bracelets with the Shimmer 'n' Sparkle Cra-Z-Loom

≪ Previous: Pancake Day with Lyle's Golden Syrup

Fans of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 will be familiar with the fabulous Foodimals which are the stars of the show. Inspired by the imaginative food/animal hybrids we have invented our very own Foodimal ... a cross between a salad and an adder....a Saladder!

Part Salad, Part Adder...it's a Saladder!

Not only did the kids have a lot of fun helping create the colourful creation, the Saladder encouraged fussy eater Freddy to tuck into grated carrot, grated cheese, boiled egg, beetroot, cucumber, grapes, spinach leaves, red pepper, blueberries and wholewheat bread. He even said that he wanted 'snake salad' for his dinner everyday! Definitely a big hit with him and something we will be making again and again, using a variety of different salad vegetables and fruits to encourage the children to try something new.

Making and serving up a Saladder whilst watching Cloudy with the Chance of Meatballs 2 has proved a most agreeable way to spend a Sunday afternoon, which left my little boy very happy indeed! Who'd have known healthy food could be so much fun!

This is our entry for the Tots 100 Foodimal competition to celebrate the release of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2.

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Making Bracelets with the Shimmer 'n' Sparkle Cra-Z-Loom

March 4, 2014, 2:00 am

≫ Next: Banana and Blueberry Pancakes with Maple Syrup and Walnuts Recipe

≪ Previous: Our Foodimal - the Saladder!

Kizzy and Ella received a Cra-Z-Art Shimmer 'n' Sparkle Cra-Z-Loom Bracelet Maker to try out. Kids can make their own rubber band bracelets by looping and weaving colourful bands onto the loom. The kit contains everything needed to create up to 24 colourful bracelet creations.

At first the instructions looked a bit complicated but once the girls got stuck in, the process became easier and using the hook implement, they were able to manipulate the bands to form different patterns. As long as the instructions were followed correctly, the bracelets could be removed, and attaching an s-clip makes them instantly wearable.

The girls enjoyed making a selection of bracelets using single, double and triple loop techniques. The odd disaster happened when a band snapped mid weave and there where a few do-overs when it all went wrong, but the overall experience was enjoyable and the end results were good. It can be a little fiddly and I think a younger child would need some help to do the more complicated designs.

Refill packs of bands are available and once kids get the basics, they can go on to make rings, bracelets or keyring fobs and attach beads or charms to their creations.

The rubber band bracelets are a colourful and modern twist on friendship bracelets that kids will enjoy wearing and sharing. Kizzy said it was a "fun activity that makes you lose track of time because you are so engrossed in what you are doing."

The set comprises of a loom, a weaving hook, s-clips and 600 colourful latex free rubber bands. It is aimed at girls aged 8 and over. It is priced at £14.99.

http://www.character-online.com/products/Cra-Z-Art-Shimmer-n-Sparkle/Cra-z-loom-Bracelet-Maker/

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Banana and Blueberry Pancakes with Maple Syrup and Walnuts Recipe

March 5, 2014, 2:15 am

≫ Next: Spinach Pancake Recipe

≪ Previous: Making Bracelets with the Shimmer 'n' Sparkle Cra-Z-Loom

Yesterday was Shrove Tuesday, which meant one thing....pancakes!

This year we got a bit more inventive than just serving them up with lemon and sugar, and here is one of the recipes I came up with for a dairy free banana and blueberry pancake, served with warm maple walnuts and fresh fruit and a drizzle of maple syrup. It was a delicious combination.

The pancake recipe itself is really quick and easy and involves no weighing of the ingredients. It can easily be scaled up to serve more people.

shrove tuesday, pancake day, dairy free pancakes

Banana and Blueberry Pancake with Walnuts and Maple Syrup

Ingredients

1 cup plain flour

1 cup milk (we made them dairy free using Alpro Almond Milk)

1 free range egg

1 mashed banana

handful of blueberries

groundnut oil

walnuts, strawberries, blueberries, sliced banana and maple syrup to serve

Method

Mix the milk and egg together and gradually add to the flour to make a smooth, thick batter.

Stir through the mashed banana.

Heat a little oil in a pan until hot.

Spoon in a ladle of the batter.

When the underside is set, sprinkle over a handful of blueberries and turn briefly to cook through.

Meanwhile pop the walnuts in the pan with a squeeze of maple syrup and heat through.

Serve the pancake with extra banana slices, blueberries and strawberries and the warm maple walnuts.

Drizzle over more maple syrup and enjoy!

This recipe makes about six medium pancakes.

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Spinach Pancake Recipe

March 5, 2014, 3:00 am

≫ Next: Mother's Day Gifts from Aldi

≪ Previous: Banana and Blueberry Pancakes with Maple Syrup and Walnuts Recipe

During my Shrove Tuesday pancake experimentation, I came up with a recipe for spinach pancakes perfect for stuffing, rolling or topping with a savoury filling. They make a good alternative to a calorie laden pie and are really quick and easy to make.

I filled ours with a slow cooked Quorn and vegetable chilli and topped them with Mexicana cheese before finishing them off in the oven at 200 degrees for about 15-20 mins until the cheese bubbled. Served with salad they made a delicious dinner and something I will make regularly (and not just on Pancake Day!)

Savoury Spinach Pancakes

Ingredients

3cups of flour

3 cups of milk (I used soya milk)

3 free range eggs

3 blocks of frozen chopped spinach (defrosted)

1 teaspoon of garlic granules

1 tablespoon of Engevita Yeast Flakes (optional but it gives a nice cheesy taste and adds nutrients)

Ground black pepper and sea salt

groundnut oil to fry

Method

Mix the egg and milk together and gradually add to the flour to make a thick batter.

Stir in the defrosted chopped spinach and seasonings.

Put a little oil in a frying pan and heat until hot.

Put enough batter in the pan to make a large pancake (don't make it too thin).

Allow the bottom of the pancake to cook through before turning to cook the other side.

The cooked pancakes can be stacked and covered in foil ready to be filled, rolled or topped and finished off in the oven.

We made enough to feed six of us using this recipe.

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Mother's Day Gifts from Aldi

March 6, 2014, 3:45 am

≫ Next: Nutritious Breakfast Advice from Nestle

≪ Previous: Spinach Pancake Recipe

From March 16th, Aldi will have some great Specialbuys in store for anyone looking to treat their mum this Mother's Day, without spending too much money!

If your mum enjoys shopping, Aldi have a crafted leather purse for £4.99 and a patchwork handbag for £6.99. Perfect gifts for mums looking for some retail therapy! You could even treat mum to a shopping trip with a nice spot of lunch in a coffee shop to go with this gift.

For mums that love make-up, there is a smart 3 piece cosmetic bag set for just £4.99. The three zip up bags will help keep the contents organised and the two smaller bags fit comfortably into the larger bag with handles. Great for travelling or for using at home. You could pop in some of mum's favourite cosmetics to make the gift extra special.

Why not treat mum to a lazy day, snuggling up on the sofa watching a good rom-com? Aldi have some super cute ballerina slippers for just £2.99 and some pretty cotton pyjamas at £7.99, which make the perfect outfit for doing just that! The pj's are lovely with a t-shirt style top and drawstring trousers, and are super comfy for lounging.

Whatever you do this year for your mum, and whatever the kids do for you this year, be sure to have fun and make some special memories together. That's what Mother's Day is really all about!

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Nutritious Breakfast Advice from Nestle

March 6, 2014, 7:30 am

≫ Next: Ella's Kitchen Smoothie Fruits perfect for fussy eaters!

≪ Previous: Mother's Day Gifts from Aldi

We recently took part in a campaign with Nestle, keeping a breakfast diary then discussing the findings with a nutritionist.

When it comes to breakfast, I usually sit down after the school run to eat a bowl of porridge or have a bowl of cereals both made using almond milk. The nutritionist said that porridge was a good source of slow release energy and is a great breakfast as long as it isn't served with too many sweet toppings. She recommended topping with fresh fruit to get one of my five a day, although I usually have it plain. Cereals should preferably be wholegrain and fortified with vitamins and minerals to maximize their health benefits.

I prefer using vegan milks rather than dairy, whereas the nutritionist was very much a pro-dairy advocate. Plant based milks tend to be fortified with calcium and vitamins and the one I use Alpro Almond Original is low in fat and just 48 calories per 100ml. So I have no qualms about using non-dairy alternatives, which I personally think are a better source of nutrition and a healthier alternative. Plus I really like it!

Ian likes toast for breakfast and as we tend to buy 50/50 wholegrain bread, which the kids prefer, so he's getting his fibre and also getting the fortification that goes into it. He will also sometimes have cereals served with unsweetened soya milk, another good source of fibre and as the cereals and milk are both fortified, he is getting vitamins and minerals too. He usually eats fruit on his commute into work, adding to his 5 a day tally.

The nutritionist reminded me of the importance of getting calcium in our diet. By our late teens most of our future bone strength is pre-determined so it is vital to ensure our children get their RDA. The kids do still eat some dairy products: cheese, yogurt and milk, plus they have have fortified non-dairy milks too. Leafy green vegetables and pulses are great sources of calcium (as vegetarians we get plenty of both). So hopefully they will have plenty of calcium in reserve for when they get older and age causes them to lose bone strength. They don't need a high dairy diet to do this.

Milk and wholegrain fortified cereals make up the breakfasts of both Freddy and Kizzy. They tend to choose Cheerios or Shreddies, both fortified and not too high on the added sugars. Wholegrain cereals are really important to our diets and the Nestle cereals are an easy way of getting one of our daily portions of wholegrains.

When it comes to 17 year old Ella, it's usually a case of breakfast on the bus on her way to college. A cereal bar and a bottle of water usually does the job, giving her the hydration and the energy she needs. Not the most nutritious start to the day, but she has a good healthy lunch and access to healthy food at college so I don't worry too much. Anything is better than nothing when it comes to getting something to eat on a rushed morning.

We could improve our mornings by adding fruit such as bananas, grapes or berries with breakfast. Fruit juices are also good but only in moderation. Using our juicer to make juices that contain not only regular fruits but which also contain foods such as spinach, kale, fresh ginger and wheatgrass will provide a healthy plant-based boost to our breakfast. But as vegetarians we generally always get our five a day anyway, and so any extra will be an added bonus.

Nestle kindly sent us a box of their cereals that will keep us in healthy wholegrain breakfasts for a good few weeks! The kids absolutely love a bowl of dry Curiously Cinnamon cereals as an alternative to eating biscuits. It's a healthier wholegrain snack for them to enjoy after school.

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Ella's Kitchen Smoothie Fruits perfect for fussy eaters!

March 7, 2014, 1:46 am

≫ Next: A Walk in the Countryside #countrykids

≪ Previous: Nutritious Breakfast Advice from Nestle

Ella's Kitchen fruit puree pouches are still a favourite in our household. The 100% natural, organic fruity snacks are a perfectly delicious way to get one of Freddy's five a day into his diet. The colour coded flavours of the Smoothie Fruits are really fun and the pouches themselves are perfect for lunchboxes and enjoying on the go. You can even freeze the pouches to keep lunchbox contents cool and the kids can enjoy a fruity slush at lunchtime. Each serving provides one complete portion of fruit. This is excellent news for anyone like myself who has a fussy eater to contend with! Freddy loves slurping them from the pouch.

The new 'The White One' is a glorious mix which includes banana, apple, pineapple and coconut, perfect for summer. We were sent a sample to try and it is really scrummy. They cost £2.99 for a four pack and are available from Tesco.

Take a look at this video featuring a mini edible forest made up of fruit and vegetables. Little ones are introduced to new tastes and textures as they explore the exciting array of fruit and veggies on display. This is a wonderful way to introduce children into enjoying a varied five a day and eating the rainbow!

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A Walk in the Countryside #countrykids

March 9, 2014, 10:07 am

≫ Next: Skribbies - Hi-top trainers that kids can customise!

≪ Previous: Ella's Kitchen Smoothie Fruits perfect for fussy eaters!

A sunny Sunday afternoon is the perfect opportunity to get some fresh air and exercise on a family walk in the countryside. For the first weekend this year, everyone was feeling healthy enough to have some family fun and we enjoyed a thoroughly overdue adventure: climbing trees, running through fields, playing aeroplanes, swinging on rope swings and having fun!

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Skribbies - Hi-top trainers that kids can customise!

March 10, 2014, 4:07 am

≫ Next: New Galaxy Hot Chocolate Pouches

≪ Previous: A Walk in the Countryside #countrykids

Every now and then, I come across a new product that I wish had been around when I was a child. Skribbies is just such a product.

Scribbies are cool hi-top trainers, which come with six chunky markers, fun stickers and a wristband. Children can customise the shoes by drawing on them using the pens and adding the funky stickers. The pen can be wiped off using the wristband, and the shoes are ready to be customised all over again...and again...and again!

Little ones can express themselves, create their own style and unleash their inner designer. This promotes individuality in the child which helps boost their self-confidence. Plus it is lots of fun!

Freddy was sent a pair of Scribbies in his favourite colour of blue. Here is our video review.

Scribbies are £39.99 and come in sizes 10-3. They are available in pink, blue and neon black.

skribbies.com

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New Galaxy Hot Chocolate Pouches

March 10, 2014, 4:59 am

≫ Next: Things you might expect when you're expecting! #infographic

≪ Previous: Skribbies - Hi-top trainers that kids can customise!

Galaxy have a great new range of chocolate drinks pouches that are fun and flexible. However you want your drink, this range is perfect for mixing and matching according to your mood. Enjoy them hot or cold. Make with milk or water. Choose one with added chocolate pieces. It's up to you!

The new range includes MARS hot or cold, GALAXY hot or cold, MILKY WAY MAGIC STARS with chocolate pieces, GALAXY RIPPLE with chocolate pieces, GALAXY CARAMEL add milk or water and MALTESERS add milk or water.

The treat size pouches include seven individual servings and are priced at £1.99 and are available from Asda and Tesco. We were sent some to try out.

The Galaxy one is great for making milkshakes for the kids, whereas the Ripple one is a creamy, indulgent chocolatey drink that I love. It's another way to enjoy the yummy Galaxy brand!

The seven serving treat sized pouches are convenient and ideal when travelling or on holiday. Pop one in your case and enjoy seven cups of your favourite hot chocolate drink away from home.

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Things you might expect when you're expecting! #infographic

March 10, 2014, 7:40 am

≫ Next: Vegan Chocolate Frosting Recipe

≪ Previous: New Galaxy Hot Chocolate Pouches

Pregnancy - A Step by Step Guide

Whether you are planning a pregnancy or are already expecting a little one, here is a helpful infographic of what symptoms you might expect. I remember many of them all too well, especially the backache and swollen ankles!

This infographic has been brought to you by Alphega Pharmacy.

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Vegan Chocolate Frosting Recipe

March 11, 2014, 3:23 am

≫ Next: What Kids Learn on Holiday

≪ Previous: Things you might expect when you're expecting! #infographic

Since Megan became a vegan six months ago for health reasons (adopting a low GI, dairy free, lower gluten and refined sugar free plant based diet) I have been looking more and more deeply into the benefits of eating a healthier diet. It is working wonders for my daughter already, and the more I research into it, the more I have come to realise that although we are vegetarian, we rely too much on some animal products, and use too many processed and refined foods. So I have been consciously making the change to wholegrain flours and using some of the gluten free alternatives such as buckwheat flour. I'm also cutting back on the use of sugar, substituting maple syrup and other natural sweeteners where possible. Dairy milk is being replaced with almond milk in my cooking and I completely avoid cow's milk personally. Jars and packet foods, and anything that contains artificial additives are slowly being eliminated in favour of a more natural diet, with more food cooked completely from scratch. It is really liberating to experiment and rediscover ingredients.

However I am a big cake fan and refuse to let indulgent treats disappear from my repertoire completely. I've found several excellent cake recipes, which are dairy free or completely vegan, but the search for a good, creamy frosting has eluded me. Ganaches are good, made using soya cream, but are not the same as a creamy, light filling. I want to avoid the use of highly refined icing sugar so a dairy free buttercream was not the solution. After trawling through some American vegan sites I found several recipes (like this one) that used canned coconut milk which had to be chilled and separated into the 'curds and whey', a process which didn't work with all brands. It all sounded a bit complicated, slightly hit or miss and required cooking followed by extra chilling and was prone to separating if left for too long. Not the simple, easy and instant recipe I was after, but it inspired me to experiment with coconut as a base for the perfect frosting.

My eureka moment came when I found 200g pouches of thick coconut milk in Morrison's. It is more like a very thick cream instead of the liquid and solid contents of the cans, so needed no preparation. I stored it in the fridge after shopping to keep it chilled so it didn't melt and liquefy in the heat of my kitchen. I was ready to give it a go and it worked an absolute treat!

Vegan Chocolate Frosting Ingredients

200g pouch of chilled Morrison's Coconut Milk

200g Morrison's Saver's Dark Chocolate (which is dairy free unlike some of the more expensive options)

Melt the chocolate in a microwave on medium heat.

Allow to cool slightly.

Add the pouch of coconut milk.

Whisk together until light and creamy.

Use to fill and top a cake.

The frosting does not taste strongly of coconut. Instead it is light, thick, smooth, fudgy and creamy with a lovely rich chocolatey taste. It isn't overly sweet or heavy, and it remained very stable at room temperature. It was a really simple one step recipe that made a frosting that was ready to use straight away. It is the exact frosting I have wanted to make since I started experimenting with vegan cake recipes and one I will make again and again.

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What Kids Learn on Holiday

March 12, 2014, 7:44 am

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Holidays aren't simply a week or two spent away from home - they are so, so much more. They are a chance for families to spend much needed quality time together, for relationships to reconnect unencumbered by everyday commitments. They provide opportunities to discover many new things: foods, cultures, things to do, places to go. They allow individuals the freedom to grow and learn through exploration and adventure in an environment free from the restraints of routine. They unleash our fun sides and allow us to relax, unwind and de-stress while we experience a break from our real lives.
Holidays are also the perfect opportunity for children to learn something new, develop new skills and discover exciting things that they never knew before. Whether you take an activity holiday where kids' swimming, surfing and abseiling lessons are on the agenda, or whether your child learns organically through play, holidays are a chance for children to grow as individuals.

Being on holiday is a great opportunity to visit castles, museums and stately homes, all of which give the children the chance to learn about history and how people lived in the past. Zoos, botanical gardens and aquariums teach them firsthand about the flora and fauna around them.
Visiting the beaches of Normandy opened my kids' eyes up to the realities of WWII and seeing the war memorials and cemeteries was a really educational and emotional experience, and much more powerful than reading a history book at school.

My children have learned to fly kites, ride bikes, swim, ride horses, drive quad bikes and abseil whilst on holiday. Practicing old skills or learning new skills helps children to grow and is an enjoyable part of a week away. I love to watch my kids taking part in new activities and seeing their confidence and independence blossom is a wonderful side effect!

Kids can unleash their creativity in lots of new and exciting ways: writing their names in the sand, building sand castles, making art collages out of shells and seaweed on the beach, making a den in the woods or collecting pine cones, leaves and feathers to create a model.

Whether you holiday abroad or take vacations in the UK, the potential for children to learn is incredible. We love to visit destinations in Wales, as it is relatively close to our home in Shropshire. We've visited Bala with its water sports and love walking in Snowdonia, taking in the scenery. But my favourite place in Wales is Portmeirion. We had a glorious holiday where the children had a wonderful time exploring, playing, discovering and even learning a little Welsh! (Look up Visit Wales for some Welsh holiday inspiration.)

“This post is an entry for the Visit Wales #Wales4KidsFamily Holiday Challenge. Wales is the perfect place for a fun-filled family break.”

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What Does Your TV Viewing Say About You?

March 13, 2014, 6:29 am

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I am not ashamed to admit that our television is one of our favourite household possessions...all 55" of its HD 3D surround sound gloriousness is appreciated by everyone from 4 year old Nick Jr loving Freddy to technology loving daddy! We love sitting down as a family to watch a whole host of TV shows, snuggled up together under blankets munching on snacks.

Our viewing choices encompass many quality US dramas like Revenge, Homeland and The Following. We enjoy a good comedy such as How I Met Your Mother, South Park or Modern Family. Reality TV shows such as Big Brother and Made in Chelsea regularly feature in our favourites. We also enjoy crime documentaries and medical programmes (especially those lighthearted cheesy American ones which feature those overly dramatic re-enactments...perfect for some light relief!) Films are always a great way to enjoy the capabilities of our TV and we have an extensive library of blockbusters, Disney films and chick flicks at our disposal for a movie night complete with popcorn.

However, we never, ever watch any soap operas (it's the night after night, week afer week commitment to something so trivial that I just don't understand) and we can't stand the likes of Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway (it's just a bit too childish and forced). On a Saturday night we are more likely to turn to a good movie for entertainment, rather than join in with the big weekend shows (apart from when Dancing on Ice was on, because seriously, who doesn't want to have a weekly fix of Torville and Dean on their tellybox!) The TV never goes on during the daytime if I am home alone as the prospect of being addicted to daytime TV terrifies me. Nothing would get done if I sat procrastinating with Jeremy Kyle or This Morning.

I took the TalkTalk TV Tribequiz to find out what my viewing habits say about me. Unsurprisingly I am apparently a 'Family Guy' whose TV time is embedded into my family life and part of my evening routine. Ian and I don't go out socially so, once Freddy is tucked up in bed, staying in with the older kids is the source of our entertainment and relaxation. Gaming, music and TV feature quite highly in that. Things that we can all enjoy that bridge the generation gap and bring us all together with a shared agenda.

We are most definitely not inert viewers of television shows. We chat and interact throughout the programmes, discussing topics and predicting what might happen next. It is a very social event with lots of laughter and fun, especially among myself and my girls. In shows such as Dancing on Ice we enthusiastically support out favourites, cover our eyes whenever someone attempts the infamous headbanger move and unashamedly drool over the incredible torsos of one or two of the pro-skaters (have you seen the silky smooth, ridiculously toned and sculpted Sylvain and Matt??!!)

You don't get to pay 100% attention when something is on TV in our house because of the constant chatter, so I am really grateful for the live TV rewind facility, which enables us to go back if we miss some crucial dialogue in one of our dramas. I'd be so lost in the double crossing, super complicated saga that is Revenge without rewind!

If I was to pick a perfect TV moment, it would have to be watching footage of the start of the London 2012 Olympic games with my family and some friends. The opening ceremony was such a spectacle and you felt like you were a part of something global, witnessing history being made. It was exciting, thrilling and humbling and tears were most definitely shed. To me, that is the true beauty of TV today. That link to live events streamed instantaneously into your home for your enjoyment as they are happening - plus you get a great view! When 'the Queen' parachuted into the stadium alongside James Bond I felt proud to be British! Sharing this once in a lifetime moment with loved ones was really emotional. I enjoy making a family event out of such programmes. We have a few snacks and drinks on the coffee table and cuddle up together to watch. We did the same with the Oscars this year (although it was recorded live and watched at a more reasonable hour...4 am bedtimes are no longer my thing!) We avoided spoilers all day and sat in nervous anticipation in hope that Leonardo Di Caprio would finally be honoured with the one award that has always eluded him. Sadly, he, like us, was left disappointed, but we loved catching glimpses of our favourite A Listers and cheering on Frozen whilst enjoying chips and dips under a slanket! We know how to do it with style!! Who needs Hollywood when you've got North Shropshire?

I know TV viewing is often criticised as being a lazy source of entertainment for couch potatoes with never better to do, but I wholeheartedly disagree. TV is a wonderful provider of so much quality viewing. You can be entertained, but also educated, inspired, mentally and emotionally stimulated, you can witness historic events, connect with the world and be a part of the fantastic phenomena that is 21st century worldwide media.

However you choose to interact with your TV and however big a part particular programmes play in your life, we are fortunate enough to have quality viewing at our fingertips all day everyday, that we can switch on - or turn off! Our TV definitely brings my family together and gives us something to chat about and look forward to. When you are the mum of teenagers, this is an absolute blessing giving you common ground and a shared interest, which isn't always an easy thing to find.

Why not take the quiz and find out which tribe you belong to and what your TV habits say about you?

Just fill in a few answers here: TalkTalk TV Tribes Quiz to find out!

This is my entry into the Tots 100 TV Tribe competition.

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