25/09/201327/01/2014 by jo

Alphabites from Bear

We’re hugs fans of the Bear nibbles snacks and spotted they have a new cereal, Alphabites. We jumped at the chance to try it and I tracked some boxes down in my local Waitrose!

Alphabites are letter shaped cereal pieces. They’re vegetarian, in fact, vegan-friendly with no added sugar and also no added salt. They’re high in fibre and low GI, as well as containing one of your everyday wholegrain portions.

I like that breakfast time has become something we’ll sit and talk about letters. H is a big fan of cereals and these have been a big hit with her, especially when she spots any letters from her name. She’s making words in her food which in is complementing the work she’s doing at school. Educational food, anyone?

The Alphabites letters stay in their shape really well too, no mushing up as the milk soaks in, though we found the ones at the bottom of the pack are a little crumblier than the top – so give your box a good shake!

In addition there are activites on the back of the pack relating to letters (S for space, P for pirates, I for insects, for example) with the whole alphabet set to roll out over the next twelve months, if you’re like us and collect the cards from inside the yo yo snacks, imagine that on a bigger scale!

Alphabites come in two flavours – Multigrain and Cocoa Multigrain – both are made with six natural ingredients. They’re available from Waitrose, Ocado, Wholefoods, Holland and Barrett, Planet Organic and lots of other places.

We were sent two boxes for the purpose of review – they’re already a big hit in our house, and I’ve found them to be filling as all good low-GI wholegrain foods should be, keeping me from feeling too hungry by lunchtime.

You can read more about Alphabites over here.

24/09/201327/01/2014 by jo

The Higgidy Cookbook

Quercus Books have just published The Higgidy Cookbook by Camilla Stephens. I bought it the day it came out and have drooled over the pages since. Now you’ve got a chance to do the same as I have a copy to give away.

The Higgidy Cookbook is full of recipes – 100 to be precise – for pies and so much more.While a few of the pies and tarts don’t have visuals, there’s a lot of end pictures in there – and where I’ve loved previous cookbooks for breaking down each process, for this one all you truly need to know is how to make a good pastry and a good filling and have the right guidance. This book does all that.

The Higgidy Cookbook is broken into sections – Simple Suppers, Party Pies, Quirky Quiches and Tempting Tarts, Pudding Pies and Sweet Treats, and Easy Extras & Perfect Pastry. On the last chapter we may have mistaken some Sticky Onions for Portugese Custard Tarts – they look pretty similar! (though obviously taste different)

Being one who doesn’t like to wait, tonight I decided to try one of the pies – the Strawberry and Apricot Freeform Tart – which starts with the most tempting of sentences: ‘This is a great recipe for novice bakers and enthusiasts alike’ – plus it looks pretty awesome too.

Being as weight-conscious (and cost-conscious) as I am, I bought Sainsburys Basics strawberries (two packs, £1.50 each), a tin of Apricots (£1ish?) and added some dried ones. I still didn’t have enough fruit to make up the 500g I needed, so added two pears which worked.

Essentially, you make your pastry, leave it to chill for thirty minutes then roll out and put into a dish, bake for 45-50 minutes and voila, you have your dish.

I found the instructions really clear and simple to follow. We were missing one ingredient (cornflour) and I didn’t substitute with anything else which left the tart oozing with juice but not ruined which was a relief. H says “it’s the best tart ever” and Shaun thinks “it’s pretty awesome”. Me? I’m quite pleased it wasn’t a disaster in any way! The pastry was crispy and well cooked, the fruit warm and tangy. The best bit? You can use fruit which is going a bit soft for this too!

I was offered a chance to review The Higgidy Cookbook, but as I intended to anyway and bought it, I am instead offering the copy as a giveaway. Answer one simple question, then there’s a few additional things you can do via Rafflecopter to gain some extra entries. UK residents only please, and the closing date is two weeks today, the 8th October 2013.

All entries will be checked to make sure the rules were followed, as it’s unfair to say you’ve commented and to not leave one, and one winner will be sent a copy of The Higgidy Cookbook from the PR company. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

24/09/201327/01/2014 by jo

Gatton Park Trail – National Trust

Sunday morning, it’s 8am and Shaun informs us that the weather is set to be good until early afternoon when it’s going to rain. So we got up and outside – after our previous trip was cut short we tried the Gatton Park Trail again!

The Gatton Park Trail is in Reigate, situated near Reigate Fort and at the top of a very large hill looking down over the Surrey Downs – you get excellent views of planes taking off and landing at Gatwick. The walk goes around Gatton Park as the land is split, of the 600 acres 340 is owned by the National Trust, and 260 by The Gatton Trust. We only got to the National Trust side, as the Gatton side is open the first Sunday of every month until October (and also qualifies in the Gardeners World 2 for 1 on gardens ticket, if you bought the April edition).

It is a circular walk which is popular with dog walkers, horse riders and cyclists – and us! The best bit? As we walked around almost everyone said “morning!” – a real nice cheery start to our day.

It’s buggy-friendly (if you need one), though there are some evil hills. There’s plenty of seats to rest (especially if you’ve a tired four year old who has done really well with all the walking), we found loads of bramble bushes too which was great for foraging – we had a yummy bramble and apple pie for tea that night – and checked off number 21 on the 50 Things Challenge for this year – H is doing pretty well with these! We all failed trying to catch leaves.

Gatton Park Trail

As far as accessibility goes, parking is free nearby (you don’t have to be a National Trust member), with refreshments in the car park at a reasonable price (and the only toilets are there as well). The Gatton Park Trail is free, and open all year round. Allow a couple of hours to do it – there are nine unnumbered markers along the way, and free maps from the refreshment area.

You can hear the M25 in the distance too.

We found parts of the Gatton Park Trail muddy but that wasn’t a problem, we had good walking shoes on so we were fine (but muddy). Mid-way you get to see the Millenium Stones – ten standing stones to mark the double Millenium, with each stone representing a 200 year segment. They’re in the middle of a field owned by sheep and goats, so remember to close the gate…!

It was an enjoyable walk and one I’d like to do at a different time of year, maybe in Springtime. Our next stop is to get to Gatton Park itself in October, before it closes until next year – the gardens look amazing!

24/09/201327/01/2014 by jo

Kelly’s Of Cornwall Clotted Cream and Raspberry Ice Cream

Kelly’s Clotted Cream and Raspberry Real Cornish Ice Cream is the latest addition to the Kelly’s Of Cornwall Range. We were offered the chance to try it and of course jumped at it.

Available in Sainsburys and Waitrose and all good supermarkets, we had it with a delicious Raspberry and Coconut cake from the Cook Food stores which complemented it well.

As before, when we reviewed the Kelly’s Of Cornwall ice creams, it’s about portion size – I’m pleased I can have a decent scoop and the calorie content isn’t too high. The ice cream has a lovely creamy flavour and the raspberry is delicious – while still being nice and smooth.

We’ve also tried the Kelly’s Clotted Cream and Raspberry Ice Cream with a bramble and apple pie last weekend that we made after doing a spot of foraging which works as well.

Kelly’s has been producing Cornish ice cream for over 100 years in Bodmin, Cornwall using only the finest dairy ingredients. They’re also the only genuine Cornish ice cream which is made in Cornwall and available nationwide.

Kelly’s of Cornwall Clotted Cream and Raspberry Ice Cream is available from selected supermarket stores nationwide, RRP £3.99 for a 1-litre tub.

Kelly’s Clotted Cream & Raspberry Ice Cream joins these other flavours – Clotted Cream Ice Cream, Clotted Cream & Honeycomb Ice Cream, Clotted Cream & Strawberry Ice Cream, Clotted Cream & Blackcurrant Ice Cream, Clotted Cream & Golden Syrup Ice Cream, Clotted Cream & Chocolate Ice Cream , Cornish Dairy Vanilla Ice Cream.

For more information on Kelly’s of Cornwall, visit: www.kellysofcornwall.co.uk

Also, if you’re pretty good about reusing old ice cream tubs, the Kelly’s tubs are just the right size for felt tip pens and crayons… there’s nothing like a bit of upcycling!

We were sent a voucher to try out the ice cream, all opinions are our own.

23/09/201326/03/2018 by Karen

Animal Noises/ Animal Opposites by Nicola Killen

Animal Noises and Animal Opposites are delightful ‘lift the flap’ board books by author Nicola Killen. They were released on the 29th August by Egmont.

Animal Noises and Animal Oposites by Nicola Killen

After a shaky start Jacob, now 23 months, is beginning to really enjoy being read to. It wasn’t always easy, only until a couple of months ago he’d throw his soft toys at me whilst I was trying to read to him. But persistence has truly paid off! He now likes a multitude of flap, touch and feel and slightly longer books. In fact, I am always on the lookout for something new!

Animal Noises gives clues to the animal hiding under the flap by giving said animals typical characteristic and noise (‘this wise bird goes TWIT TWOO’). Animal Opposites does exactly what it says on the cover showing big and small, on the ground and in the tree etc. These books are beautifully illustrated with a subtle use of colour.

After a hectic week on my behalf it was actually hubby that got the pleasure of a first read of these books with Jacob. Matt is normally the first to complain if he doesn’t like something, so I was pleasantly surprised that he had nothing but good things to say! On reading the books with Jacob myself I found them to be interactive, encouraging little one to make the noises, Jacob had lots of fun joining in. I also loved that the pictures were clear and simple, helping him to focus on the animal in question.

The other day I left the books downstairs, whilst going to get something, and was thrilled to find Jacob having a good look. He was very entertained with what was going on and enjoyed lifting the flaps.

Animal Noises and Animal Oposites by Nicola Killen

These books are on sale for an RRP on £5.99, which I think is reasonable price. These books are educational, aimed at 2 years plus, and a pleasure to read. To see more books by Nicola Killen, please click here.

23/09/201326/03/2018 by jo

Big Fish Little Fish September Event

The Big Fish Little Fish September event had its official launch in Brixton, at the Effra Social club. We went to a pre-launch in the summer which we enjoyed. Big Fish Little Fish is a new afternoon club for those of us who used to go out; think of it as being like a playgroup which plays music you can dance to as well, with beer!

Big Fish Little Fish September had a theme – a nautical one. That was fairly easy for us, so we got H ready to be a pirate – a stripy t-shirt and leggings plus a neckerchief I quickly made with spare fabric and some wonder web, though we had no hat. Fortunately the craft room was up and running where you could make so many different kinds of things – which included the aforementioned hats – fun!

Actually, most of Saturday was about fun; be it dancing, eating, making, or creating.

H got a free Cheeky Monkey smoothie and some Bear YoYo snacks and got on with the job in hand – there was plenty of craft supplies to choose from too, as well as some nautically themed temporary tattoos. At the licensed bar there were sausage rolls and scotch eggs at a reasonable price, as well as cupcakes from Rosie’s Deli Cafe in the craft area.

What is there to say about the Big Fish Little Fish September event, compared to last time? The volume of the music was lower and one we could talk and dance with – it was perfect – not too loud for kids (or my) ears. The event just had two DJs this time – Strictly Kev aka DJ Food from Ninja Tune and Will Nicol which I felt kept the downstairs area going – I didn’t notice the changeover. H danced to some Future Sound of London, reggae, I tried to get her to dance to 808 State (she refused), and so much more – The Prodigy and SL2 (“mummy’s work put this out” I told her, she wasn’t impressed but still danced). There were glitter bombs, bubbles, a large parachute at the end and one very tired H. She loved her glowstick which is given for free at the door, which she made into a bracelet.

We didn’t get to the chill-out room but did spend a lot of time in the craft area – which was brilliantly organised, with plenty of supplies – there’s plenty of things for kids to do, and if they love dancing the dancefloor is just the right size.

October’s event is on Saturday 19th with a theme of ‘Things that go bump in the night’ – and for us it’s an easy journey, the train from Carshalton to Herne Hill just twenty minutes, and the walk from there no more than ten – and a good route via Brockwell Park, avoiding the main roads too which also has a giant wooden conker near the venue. If you fancy food in the area afterwards we can recommend Olleys – we had a feast and came away with change from £40 too – and it’s very child-friendly.

We really enjoyed the Big Fish Little Fish September event and already a few of my friends are talking about going to the next one, see you there!

Thank you to Natasha for organising free tickets for us, this hasn’t affected our opinion of the event at all!

22/09/201316/02/2014 by jo

We’re Going on a Bramble Hunt With Barny Bear

Barny Bear are a new snack, and one we were sent a box of each flavour to try. Our challenge was to go on an adventure, so we decided to do a spot of foraging locally. We’d come across the snacks at Lollibop though hadn’t tried both flavours, so we knew what to expect.

Barny Bear come in chocolate and milk flavours, and we’re going on a bramble hunt. BUT. Beforehand, something very peculiar happened. I got to the box of chocolate Barny Bear flavour to get some snacks ready, and found much to my surprise that there was only ONE BARNY LEFT. A big mystery.

We headed out to Wilderness Island which is a short walk from our house, and started out with a spot of pooh sticks, as H had never played it before. This also covers another of the National Trust 50 Things challenges, so it is duly ticked off in the book. I should do an update as we’re doing pretty well with these too. Wilderness Island has the perfect bridge for Pooh Sticks anyway – the one as you enter. There are also a lot of bramble bushes there.

We got loads, enough for a bramble crumble anyway which was our plan. However, picking brambles is tiring work and you need a snack. Out came the Barny Bear snacks at the right time to help our hunger pangs. I mentioned the empty chocolate box, to which Shaun duly confessed he’d had at LEAST two. Cheeky. Still, it goes to show adults like them too.

H insisted on the chocolate Barny Bear on the reasoning her father had eaten most of them – who am I to argue, so she got her own way, going for poor Barny’s head first. We had a quick stop and snack before heading back towards the entrance where there seemed to be a plethora of bramble bushes and the Pooh Sticks Bridge.

So, what’s to tell about Barny Bear? They’re a bear-shaped sponge snack with two different fillings, launched originally in France over fourteen years ago. The snacks contain no artificial colours or preservatives, and each are individually wrapped in a pack of five. H really liked them and wanted more. I’m standing firm – although they may need to be eaten before Shaun gets his hands on them… ahem!

The ending to our tale, the brambles were plentiful in supply (when we left Wilderness Park and headed towards the old overgrown garages nearby), and tonight for tea we’re having apple and bramble crumble with custard. I fully intend to make green custard to live the school dinner dream from the 1970’s and 80’s that my daughter will never witness. It’s only fair. I love that H will grow up with a good sense of the outdoors around her like I did when I was young, and learn to embrace the kind of school meals that made me into the woman I am.

This post is an entry for BritMums ‘Little Adventures Challenge’ in partnership with Barny, the bear-shaped snack providing a little discovery in every bite. Find out more about Barny here.

22/09/201327/01/2014 by jo

Underpants Wonderpants by Peter Bently and Deborah Melmon

Is it an eagle? Is it a plane? No – it’s Underpants Wonderpants to the rescue again!

Underpants Wonderpants is a dog with amazing underpants, who helps people out when they’re in trouble.

We’ve never read the previous book , Underpants Thunderpants so it’s a new one for us – and is quite similar in style to Julia Donaldson’s ‘Superworm’ – a book which H really enjoys.

I asked H what her favourite thing about the book is, and she tells me it’s “when they do the rescues” – she does like to help people out, so it’s good that appeals to her.

I like that it’s an easy read – now she’s at school and we’re learning how to read in reception I know books like this will be fun for her once more words are recognised, plus it’s silly. Silly books are good books and are fun to read.

The text in the book is by Peter Bently (an award winning author who has written over 30 books for children) , with colourful illustrations by Deborah Melmon(who has illustrated many books for kids). It gets a big thumbs-up from us!

Underpants Wonderpants is available now, published by Parragon Books. It’s currently available at Amazon (affiliate link) for £4.44, and has a rrp of £5.99. I think it’d be a good one for Christmas if you’re looking for fun book ideas!

We received this book as we are Parragon Book Buddies – all opinions are our own and honest!

19/09/201327/01/2014 by jo

Quick Meals When You’re Short On Time

Quick meals are what I’m all about. If you’ve followed Mum Friendly for a while you may well know my love of my soup maker. I do know that it isn’t something everyone has though, and quite often I see recipes where people make fresh soup the longer way.

That’s fine – but for us there’s a lack of time to do that, so we need food that is ready within thirty minutes every evening, as I refuse to take the ready meal route and hardly ever make food to freeze for the week ahead.

I have two videos from Panasonic featuring renowned TV chef Jo Pratt who is making quick meals using a Panasonic Microwave.

I enjoyed trying out this receipe with my soup maker, and it’s nice to know that the Panasonic Microwave also provides another quick option to getting dinner on the table in half an hour

My ingredients were slightly different – I have tomatoes, and I over ordered red peppers so have added some of those instead, but otherwise I have a carrot, an onion and some celery, plus the paprika, so I’m ready!

Here’s the Panasonic video for tomato soup :

I have to say, I think I made a few mistakes using the soup maker – the soup was pretty tasty (the paprika was really subtle), but I think I need a little more work – heck, I might even try it the microwave way in future as it’s another way of making food but being able to pay H attention. Quick meals are definitely the way forward here.

Panasonic also have a microwave recipe for Spaghetti Bolognese using the Panasonic Microwave which is also worth watching – again, handy if you want to cook but need to pay attention to your child. I’d never have thought of doing it in the microwave, so it’s a handy backup as and when homework kicks in properly.

This post is sponsored by Spreaditfast

16/09/201327/01/2014 by jo

National Trust Surrey Hills Challenge Coming Soon

With the glorious autumn colours starting to emerge, now is the time to get outdoors and explore the beautiful Surrey countryside.

However, with recent National Trust research revealing that 1 in 6 Britons never walk more than 500m from their car, Polesden Lacey is challenging the residents of Surrey to prove that they are more energetic than the rest of the country! As part of the National Trust’s Great British Walk, in partnership with Pru Health, the first ever Surrey Hills Challenge will take place on Saturday 12 October. The full route is 23 miles and links three of the area’s iconic high spots – Leith Hill, Box Hill and Ranmore. There will also be two shorter circuits – one between Leith Hill and Ranmore of 16 miles, and one to Box Hill of 13 miles, so anyone can take part, whatever their level of fitness. There will even be a 5 mile family loop.

All routes start at the Polesden Lacey car park which will be open from 6.30am to give everyone a chance to finish their chosen walk before it gets dark. There will be checkpoints along the routes offering free water, toilets and first aid support. Please register in advance on 01372 452048. Registration fee is £15 per person, or £5 per family for the short family route. Everyone who completes the challenge will receive a memento.

Full information is available from www.nationaltrust.org.uk/polesdenlacey (we spotted one of the links doesn’t work, so maybe keep trying!)