Madhouse Family Reviews !

Fantastic deals at Table Table and Beefeater Grill for Feb and Valentines day

2012-01-27T20:51:00.000Z

If you are dreaming of a romantic dinner for two on Valentine's Day but your bank balance is still recovering from Christmas and the January sales, I have some fab news for you - Table Table and Beefeater Grill have some great money-saving deals available for Valentines day and the start of February. Just click through and print off the vouchers below.

Beefeater grill

50% off total food bill

Valid: 6^th – 9^th February

www.beefeatergrill.co.uk/content/dam/beefeater/Vouchers/BG-food-bill-voucher.pdf

Table Table

50% off total food bill

Valid: 3^rd – 5^th Feb 2012

www.tabletable.co.uk/content/dam/tabletable/Vouchers/TT-food-bill-voucher.pdf

There is also a special low-priced Valentine's meal at Table Table which is perfect for romance on a budget.

And you can even get a bottle of bubbly without breaking the bank.

If you're planning a meal this weekend, the dicount vouchers that I posted here are still valid until the 31st January.

Other blogposts you may be interested in :

The Big January Sale – Beefeater Grill, Brewers Fayre, Table Table
Brewers Fayre family-friendly dining
The Handpicked Collection

Vosene Kids Afterswim Hair & Body Wash review

2012-01-27T19:37:00.000Z

Sophie has just started swimming at school again this term. They only go for about twelve sessions before it moves on to another class and last year she was a bit disappointed because she was in the lowest group. Using a system that, in my opinion, defies all logic, those who don't know how to swim are left to their own devices in the shallow end while those who do know how to swim are given training to get better. Hmmm.

Last year, we said it didn't matter and that within a couple of days on holiday in Turkey, she'd have spent more hours in the pool than for her whole term's worth of lessons at school. Sure enough, she made great progress last summer and got quite confident at swimming, managing to go right across the pool, out of her depth, from one end to the other, without arm bands or anything.

So fast forward a year and there she was, all excited about going swimming again to show her swimming teacher how much progress she'd made. When I picked her up at hometime, I could see how crestfallen she was as soon as she came out and sure enough, she informed me that she was in the bottom group again. The "test" for putting them in groups had been to go under water and sit on the bottom of the pool and Sophie apparently had come up too quickly. What's that got to do with knowing how to swim ?! It didn't matter, we gave her the same pep talk as last year and told her to just enjoy splashing about in the shallow end with her friends. But last week, she came bouncing out of school, bursting to tell me that the new lifeguard looking after their end of the pool told her she should move up a group because she'd get bored in the bottom level so now she's back with the swimmers ! Yay ! (I couldn't care less which level she's in but I hated seeing her so disappointed.)

Well, this was the perfect time to give her the Vosene Kids After Swim Hair & Body Wash to review. We used it in the bath the first time, so that I could review it properly, but now she proudly puts it in her swim bag each week !

Now, I have to say, it looks, smells and feels like any normal body wash but Vosene kids after swim hair and body wash apparently has an advanced formula which has been specially developed to gently yet effectively clean, condition and remove chlorine, salt and other impurities from hair and body after swimming.The fruity melon fragrance is absolutely gorgeous and the kids all love it. It doesn't lather up much but that's good news for kids getting clean after swimming by themselves. As a body wash, it left Sophie's skin feeling soft and hydrated (and smelling lovely) but as hair wash, it did need a conditioner to keep Sophie's hair in tiptop condition.

My only slight niggle is the packaging. It comes in a tube which is easy to squish so is highly likely to come open and squirt all over everything in a swim bag, for example. As this is a product designed for use after swimming, and therefore presumably for taking to the swimming pool, I think this could certainly be improved by using a twist lid and a sturdier bottle that would be less likely to come open by accident.

That's the only negative point though. I love the Aromaguard technology that effectively neutralises the smell of chlorine, the fabulous fruity fragrance and the fact that it is free from soap, SLS, SLES and parabens, as well as being dermatologically tested and paediatrician approved. It's suitable for the whole family, from babies to adults, and has been developed with kids' delicate skin in mind.

star rating : 4.5/5

RRP : £2.49 for 200ml

for more information : http://www.vosenekids.co.uk/product-range/

Other reviews you may be interested in :

Vosene Kids Advanced Conditioning Defence Spray review

Vosene Nitwatch ! Reactions from the school gate

Thanks Vosene for helping us to ease into Back to School time !

Our "Shake Up Your Wake Up" Breakfast Week Challenge

2012-01-27T15:46:00.000Z

As I told you last week (here), we were challenged to take part in the annual Farmhouse Breakfast Week Challenge and Shake Up Our Wake Up, even receiving a lovely hamper of breakfast goodies to help us on our way. For me, improving my usual breakfast habits wouldn't be hard at all, as - although I make sure the kids don't leave for school with an empty tummy - my best effort at consuming something myself is a hasty swig of orange juice as I head out of the door. Not good, I know, but I never find the time (I get up at 6.15, get everyone organised and leave the house at 7am) and I always make it through to lunch at the school canteen with no problems (or snacking). But I was determined to give this a fair trial and make the time for breakfast for a whole week to see if it made any difference to how we all felt.

Monday is always a day when everyone's feeling slightly groggy and getting back into the school/work routine after the weekend, so time and enthusiasm levels were low. Breakfast was therefore a hastily thrown together glass of orange juice and plate of malt loaf, followed by a banana. Usually I'd smother the malt loaf in butter, but I'm still trying to eat healthily and lose weight so I just ate it plain. I was actually intrigued to see if I would put on weight over the week, as I'm adding breakfast in to my routine without changing my other meals. Time will tell. I actually felt hungrier mid-morning than I usually do when I haven't eaten breakfast, which is something that I've actually noticed before and seems to defy all logic ! Hmm !

Tuesday was a bit less hectic so I made some porridge, which everyone - even the kids - loved. Now, I don't know if you're old enough to remember the Reddy-Brek adverts where the little boy used to walk out into the cold glowing with warmth from inside but that was exactly how I felt. It was drizzly and cold at the bus stop but I didn't feel the cold anywhere near as much as usual, which I'm sure is down to the porridge. Everyone seemed in a much better mood than usual, maybe because we all sat down to eat together (albeit briefly) instead of munching separately in between getting dressed, washed and ready for school/work. I weighed myself and noticed I'd put on a few hundred grams since the start of the week - nothing major but I'm hoping it won't go up any more than that. I definitely set off for work in a happier mood and feeling more awake, ready to take on the world (not to mention the bad weather). This was helped down with some delicious Copella apple juice - and Juliette even splashed a bit on her porridge to help cool it down, declaring it yummy !

Now Wednesday is my day off so I made a real effort and offered people the choice of bacon sarnies or banana sandwiches. I was actually really surprised to see that everyone chose the latter - either as straight banana, banana and Nutella or banana and peanut butter on chunky slices of proper bread. I put the bacon away for another day ! Do you like my artistic heart-shaped banana skin ? You can tell I'm feeling more energetic and good-humoured in the mornings ! Seriously though, I'm used to getting off to a good start in the morning even without breakfast but I have been noticing that my energy levels have been flagging less mid afternoon when I finish work. Usually, I rush home from work, pick the kids up from school, supervise the homework, cook them something to eat then feel ready to flop into bed. This week, I've been cooking proper home-cooked food, playing games and reading bedtime stories which are often relegated to the weekend or holidays when I'm not so tired. Definitely an unexpected bonus ! This lack of tiredness also means I've been less grumpy with the kids, which in turn rubs off on them so we've all been laughing and joking a lot more and sniping at each other a lot less.

Thursday, getting into the swing of things now. Actually finding time for breakfast really isn't as complicated as I imagined, as long as you're organised and sort everything out in advance so you hit the kitchen in the morning already knowing what you're going to prepare. After buying loads of fresh fruit at the farmers' market, we prepared a fab fruit salad with kakis, pears, apples, banana, mango and satsumas.

We topped this off with toast (the kids prefer the sliced white to the "real" bread which is a shame, especially as I make my own most of the time) but the grown-ups love thick doorsteps, toasted under the grill. I gave the Madhouse mini-testers free choice of toppings and the favourites were soft cheese, butter and homemade plum and rhubarb jam made by Mamie, their French Nanny. They also tried the little pots of jam from the hamper, which they said was nearly as good as Mamie's, and the Marmite which had me in fits of giggles as they ran around the room yellling "eeeuurrggghhhhh" rubbing at their tongues with a tissue ! 10-year-old Sophie was so excited about being allowed to put the bread in the toaster and turn it on too - a great timesaver for me and she felt so important and grown-up that there was no squabbling. Or maybe this is another one of the unexpected benefits of eating breakfast - everyone's in a better mood ?

Friday (today) was the final day of the challenge so I served up boiled eggs with soldiers, much to the kids' delight ! They also attacked the innocent smoothies that they have had their eyes on all week in the fridge ! Both the strawberry & banana and mango & passion fruit varieities were declared delicious and are certainly a very easy way of getting their daily 5-a-day off to a good start.

As Pierre doesn't like boiled egg, he was allowed a choc dipper as a special treat, but he also guzzled down a beaker full of innocent smoothie !

And are you wondering if I put on weight ? Well, no, I actually ending up losing a pound, despite eating exactly the same as I would at the other meals and just adding in an extra meal a day ! I never believed the experts who always said that eating breakfast could help you lose weight but maybe they were right then !!

Energy wise, I didn't feel any difference in the morning but I did manage to fit in breakfast without getting up any earlier. I think the knock-on effects made themselves known at the end of the day though as I have certainly been feeling less tired after work. And I don't know if it's the fact that we were eating more or actually finding the time to sit down together as a family each morning but we all certainly seemed to be in a better mood.

For that reason alone, I will be making a determined effort to keep the proper breakfasts going even after the challenge comes to an end !

for more information : www.facebook.com/shakeupyourwakeup

Other blogposts you may be interested in :

Are you taking the Breakfast Challenge next week ? Get ready to shake up your wake up !

Farmhouse Breakfast Week Recipes from Denhay Bacon

Anchor Butter is bringing back Elevenses !

New product launched offering UK Mothers breast feeding pain relief

2012-01-26T21:39:00.004Z

An interesting press release popped into my inbox today, extolling the benefits of a new product designed to help prevent and cure problems including mastitis, engorgement, blocked ducts and nipple vasospasm that may cause discomfort and pain for breastfeeding mums. Well, having read the press release, I can see how it may be useful but I also wanted to reassure new mums and mums-to-be deciding whether to breastfeed or not. It doesn't necessarily always end in tears ! I breastfed Sophie for 6 months, Juliette for 9 months and Pierre for 15 months so that's a grand total of two and a half years breastfeeding. (Wow, that's the first time I've added it all up and I impressed myself then !) In all of that time, I never once suffered from any of the ailments described above - and I don't even have any idea what the scary-sounding nipple vasospasm is ! Now, don't get me wrong - it's not always plain sailing, but I do feel that some mums love to really lay it on thick about their breastfeeding horror stories, just as they do with their birth stories, which can be very scary for new mums. If you've ever heard a man telling his mates about watching you have an epidural, you'll know exactly what I mean!! (A two-foot long needle according to Madhouse Daddy Mike !) Without further ado, here's the press release, but don't let it put you off breastfeeding !

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Swedes know breast; innovative new product launches in the UK as a safe and natural way to ease the pain and discomfort in breasts, associated with the birth of a new born baby.

When it comes to the health and nutrition of a new born baby, the mantra has long been ‘breast is best’. Expert help is on hand to assist with positioning; latching on, appropriate clothing and a healthy diet; but even with the best made plans, pain and discomfort is a frequent problem.

Innovative breast warming pads researched and developed in Sweden and the UK, have been helping to protect and support tens of thousands of Swedish mothers every year from the pains and conditions associated with breast feeding.

The pads utilises NASA technology and uses a mother’s natural body heat, to help prevent and cure problems including mastitis, engorgement, blocked ducts and nipple vasospasm. They also provides fast and effective relief from hard, sore or lumpy breasts and can help with expressing and blocked ducks. They are also ideal for new mothers choosing not to breast feed and having to deal with milk reduction.

Prevention is better than cure, the pads are also recommended to be used immediately after birth as a protection against any potential breast pain problems.

The pads slip inside the mother’s bra and need no other equipment such as electricity, microwaves or other heat producing assistance to work. They are light, slim and very comfortable to wear. Ideal for mums on the go.

Since launching in Sweden, the breast pads, which are manufactured in the UK, are now being used as far away as Australia.

Launching as Breast Aid in the UK, the pads are now available to UK mothers, distributed by Enviro-Pod Ltd. Enviro-Pod Director Valerie Bullard said: “The Breast Aid pads are an ingenious solution to a range of problems which can beset new mums. We are delighted that we can play a part in alleviating the discomfort and ensuring that this magical period is as special and comfortable as possible for mother and baby”.

The pads, which are shaped for maximum comfort and can be worn day and night, they have received the backing of midwives, including Dr Jill Bruce who highly recommends the breast warmers to her patients.

“Breast-Warmers have been used on the Maternity Ward at Bunbury Regional Hospital since 2001. Midwives have found them particularly helpful with women who may have engorged or uncomfortable breasts. Breast-Warmers then became a stock item in the hospital due to the increase in the demand. The midwives from the ward conduct a postnatal visiting service in women's homes following discharge from the hospital. Midwives report that the breast-warmers are a valuable item to assist with breastfeeding” said Jill Banks Nurse Unit Manager Midwifery & Paediatrics.

Breast Aids are currently available to buy online. Further information on Breast Aid can be found at www.enviro-pod.co.uk

Other reviews you may be interested in :

Lansinoh Manual Breast Pump
Bravado - The Essential Nursing Bra Tank Top
Milkies Milk-Saver - for Breastfeeding Mums

Breakthrough Breast Cancer and Pink Ribbon Bingo

2012-01-26T21:07:00.003Z

I personally know three women - two work colleagues and one of Sophie's friend's mums - who have lived through the trauma of being diagnosed with breast cancer, undergoing treatment and getting the all clear, all within the past couple of years. That's a scary statistic and really brings it home to you. This is therefore definitely a great cause to support, so if you're a bingo-lover - or even if you're not ! - you might want to check it out. This is also a timely reminder to follow the TLC (Touch, Look, Check) advice as it could save your life. Go on, go and have a grope right now !!

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BINGO-ING BEAUTIES, KATE THORNTON AND TAMZIN OUTHWAITE, HELP CHARITY BEAT BREAST CANCER Stars support partnership between online bingo site Pink Ribbon Bingo and Breakthrough Breast Cancer

TV presenter Kate Thornton and ex-Eastenders and West End star, Tamzin Outhwaite, are supporting the UK’s first online bingo site to be affiliated with a national charity; the groundbreaking Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

Pink Ribbon Bingo has been working with Breakthrough Breast Cancer since October 2010 and has seen Breakthrough make some tremendous progress. Kate and Tamzin’s support comes along with the news that the partnership will now also be supported and hosted by the www.dailymail.co.uk which could result in a huge spike in fundraising for the charity’s life saving work.

Pink Ribbon Bingo will be supporting Breakthrough Breast Cancer all year round with 15% of the gross revenue accrued through online play on the site being donated to the charity. Visitors also have the opportunity to donate a percentage of their winnings directly to the charity. Along with the fundraising element, Pink Ribbon Bingo and the Daily Mail online will be helping the charity to raise awareness by promoting their vital health messages such as TLC (Touch, Look, Check).

Tamzin Outhwaite says, “As a busy working mum, I find it difficult to get a moment to myself, let alone fundraise for a really important cause like Breast Cancer. Pink Ribbon Bingo allows me not only to have a quick ‘time out’ in my day, it also helps me raise money in a fun and simple way.

“15 pence out of every pound goes to fund Breakthrough Breast Cancer, helping them to support the 48,000 women, 300 men and their families who are diagnosed with the disease every year.”

Kate Thornton continues, “In the UK, one woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every 11 minutes – a statistic that we can change. We’re already well on the way to beating this disease for good; as a direct result of Breakthrough Breast Cancer’s work, fewer women die of breast cancer than 15 years ago. Just imagine where we could be in another 15 years time!

“Playing Pink Ribbon Bingo is easy – all you need to do is visit http://www.pinkribbonbingo.com/ and register to start playing today! People can enjoy playing, knowing that whether they win or loose, Breakthrough will benefit.”

About breast cancer:

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK – nearly 48,000 women and around 300 men are diagnosed every year.
Breast cancer accounts for nearly 1 in 3 of all female cancers and one in eight women in the UK will develop breast cancer at some point in their lifetime.
Around 1,000 women die of breast cancer every month in the UK.
The good news is that more women than ever in the UK are surviving breast cancer thanks to better awareness, better treatments and better screening.

About Breakthrough Breast Cancer:

Our vision is a future free from the fear of breast cancer.
Breakthrough Breast Cancer is dedicated to improving and saving lives through finding the causes of breast cancer, enabling early detection, ensuring precise diagnosis, discovering new and better treatments and improving medical services.
We fund ground breaking research, campaign for better services and treatments and raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer. Through this work the charity believes passionately that breast cancer can be beaten and the fear of the disease removed for good.

Other blogposts you may be interested in :

Netmums Blogging Network Post - Netmums Bingo

Get your ‘Team Peppa’ Bag For Life and help support baby charity Tommy’s

HELP WHIP BREAST CANCER WITH THE PAMPERED CHEF LIMITED EDITION PINK PRODUCTS

We're seriously lusting after the Team GB bedding and towels !

2012-01-26T20:24:00.001Z

As soon as I laid eyes on this picture, I absolutely loved the bedding showing Pride the Lion, the official mascot for Team GB at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Sophie thinks it's fabulous too and as it only comes in single size, I may have to splash out on a set for her room. Or we may grab one of the matching towels then we can all use it !

But that's not the only gorgeous design. Sophie also loves this Queen's Guard quilt set. Decisions decisions !

Mums and Dads (or anyone else who sleeps in a double bed) don't have to miss out either. I would love to see these stylish Union Jack designs adorning our bed but I'm not sure what French Madhouse Daddy Mike would think of sleeping under the Union Jack ! Shame !

He might prefer this colourful design, featuring a matrix of all the official London 2012 Olympics pictograms, which represent the 38 Olympic sporting disciplines. Looking at all those sports would make you feel so tired you'd fall asleep in record time too !

The funky twin mascots Wenlock and Mandeville also put it an appearance.

As does the Team GB lion logo. There are so many funky designs, it makes it so hard to choose. (And part of my frugal side is saying oooh wait until it's all over and then buy the whole collection in the clearout sales !!)

If you prefer more discreet designs, you could go vintage with the Historical cushion and bed linen.

It's nice but I have to admit, I have a serious weak point for the Union Jack designs. That must be my patriotic side coming out !

I've just headed off to see if I could find an online stockist and I'm pleased to see that some of them are available on amazon - result !

All the Olympics merchandise, including bed linen and towels, is available throughout the UK at a variety of stockists. For full stockists' information, go to www.ashleywildegroup.com

RRP : £30 for the single quilt cover/pillowcase set, £18 for the sports towels

Other blogposts you may be interested in :

Inch Blue Union Jack Leather Toddler Slippers

Natural Empathy - Beautifully British Luxury Hand & Body Lotion and Top-to-Toe Wash

Firefly Tonics - Britannia

Latest Money-Saving Deals from Tesco Baby

2012-01-26T09:57:00.001Z

Tesco's biggest ever baby event is now in full swing and I just wanted to let you know about some more great deals which are valid until 5^th Feb:

· Pampers Active Fit Jumbo Pack: was £12.99 each, now £10 each

· Johnson’s Baby Wipes 64-Pack: was £2.44 each, now 95p each

· Buy One Get One Free on Johnson’s Baby Toiletries

· SMA Follow on Milk 6m+ 900g: was £8.99, now £7

· Tommee Tippee Closer To Nature Electronic Steam Steriliser: was £47.99, now half price £23.99

Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Steam Steriliser was £26.99 >£13.49 now and amazing £10.00 until 14th Feb

Don't forget, if you haven't already entered, there's still a chance to win a £100 Tesco voucher right here on my blog. (If you have your own blog, you can also win a £100 amazon voucher by blogging your child's drawing of their favourite Yummy Food - find out how to enter here.)

Other blogposts you may be interested in :

Tesco's Biggest Ever Baby Bargains Event !

Tesco Baby & Toddler Club free BabySafe courses

The Big January Sale – Beefeater Grill, Brewers Fayre, Table Table

UKMums.tv Blogging Challenge - Beat the January Blues

2012-01-25T20:46:00.000Z

UKMums.tv has just launched a new fortnightly blogger challenge so I thought I'd put my thinking cap on and join in. (If you want to get involved too, check out the details here.) They have asked us to use the gloomy month of January as our inspiration and come up with a nice positive story to cheer us up. They suggest a progress report on our resolutions or reasons why 2012 is going to be a fantastic year for our family.

Well, this instantly made me think of the Reasons To Be Cheerful bloghop that Mummy From The Heart posts on her wonderful blog and that I have been meaning to enter forever without ever finding the time to do it. That sounds perfect so I'll do a Top Ten Reasons To Be Cheerful in the Madhouse for 2012. There are ALWAYS things to look forward to and zillions of reasons to be cheerful and it's actually a really good idea to sit down and make a list like this every now and then so that we remember !

1) We're getting a new car ! Our leasing/loan jobby needs to be redrawn up every four years and February 2012 was the magic date. After looking at the options - basically selling the car back to the garage for the guaranteed price, paying the balance and keeping/selling it ourselves or continuing to pay the balance but upgrading to a new car (or something like that, Madhouse Daddy Mike dealt with all the paperwork as I don't even drive so it all went a bit over my head !), we went for the new car option. We'll be getting a Peugeot 5008 which has three real seats in the back so Sophie won't be eternally squished between Pierre's and Juliette's car seats. That's good news for us too as it'll mean less squabbling in the back ! It also has two extra seats that can be installed in the back to make it into a 7-seater so if the girls ever want to invite a friend out with us for the day, we will now be able to say yes. Slightly scarier is that my usual reply of "no, we're not having any more kids because we couldn't fit any more in the car" now no longer stands. Eek !!

2) We've booked a fab fortnight in Tunisia for the summer. We always like to get in on the early bird deals and bag a family room before they all get snapped up and this August we're off to Zarzis. White sand beaches, palm trees, camels ... the kids are sooooo excited already- and they're not the only ones !

3) Spring is on the way ! Now, this could be down to global warming or just a particularly mild winter but I was gobsmacked to see daffodils in bloom in the week after Christmas ! All that greenery and sunshine can only be around the corner so we can look forward to long walks and trips to the park again. Those thick baggy jumpers and scarves will soon be packed away for another year.

4) Now, I know we were very slow off the mark here but we have discovered the joys of Skype ! It started off at work, where the kids in my class loved having a live webchat with a class in Kentucky, and carried on at home. The Madhouse is even madder than user when Madhouse Grandad pops up on the screen !! It's hilarious listening to the kids relating in minute detail everything that has been going on since the last chat !

5) I'm still amazed to see that the SlimPod is doing its stuff. I was so cynical about it at the start and still can't understand how listening to a 10-minute mp3 every now and then (after listening to it every day for 21 days on the trot) can have such an effect on the way you eat and ultimately your waistline. It's not a sudden drastic effect - I've lost 4kg in a couple of months - but it is working, there's no doubt about it ! (Follow my updates here.)

6) I've also discovered the ... well, I wouldn't say the joys but it's not as torturous as I feared !! - of MuTu System and the lovely Wendy who has devised a whole system to get your Mummy Tummy back in shape, however long ago you had kids and however little time you have in the day to do sport. I'm only on week 3 of a 12 week programme but I'm still on track so far :) (Progress reports here.)

7) There are so many babies on the way amongst my bloggy and tweety friends, some of them after the sadness of losing a child which just makes it all the more special, especially having been there myself. I saw that Amanda Holden has just had her baby today too so that's another sad story that found its happy ending. Yay !

8) I've made a real effort to get more fresh fruit and veg into our diet recently. We have a fabulous local market literally at the end of our road every Sunday so we've been heading off to see what we can find. We came back this week armed with one bag full of fruit (mangoes, bananas, apples, pears, kakis, ...) and one full of veg (cauliflower, endives, mushrooms, peppers, leeks, carrots, courgettes, ...). Just seeing all the bright colours gets the kids interested in trying out new flavours and it's more inspiring for cooking from scratch than opening an empty fridge !

9) We're still married and we have three happy kids. It seems that every week brings news of yet another one of those supposedly rock solid celeb marriages breaking up. After Brad & Jen, J-Lo & Marc and Demi & Ashton, I was slightly shocked to see Seal and Heidi Klum going their separate ways this week. I know they're celebs but they always seemed so normal and down-to-earth with all the right values. Here at The Madhouse, all I need to do is look at the huge smiles on Sophie, Juliette & Pierre's faces most days and any thoughts of the January blues just go flying out of the window. The rest is all immaterial !

10) And the final Reason to Be Cheerful ... there are only 334 days until Christmas ! Woohoo can I start getting excited already ?!!

Other blogposts you may be interested in :

Silent Sunday

Tefal Actifry Doesn't Just Do Chips : Sausages !

2012-01-25T14:20:00.000Z

It's been a while since I did a "Tefal Actifry Doesn't Just Do Chips" blogpost but today, I tried cooking sausages in it for the first time. It was actually someone on twitter who had told me ages ago that they cooked sausages in their Actifry and that it worked really well so, as the Actifry was out and in need of a wash (having just been used to cook up some chips for lunch), I decided to try it out for browning off the sausages for the slow cooker casserole I was about to prepare.

I had no idea how long they would take to cook, so did mine (non frozen) for about 15 minutes. They browned up really nicely and, although a couple split, that was literally in the last couple of minutes and may be because I left them too long.

What absolutely stunned me was the quantity of fat that came out of them. The photo doesn't really show it enough but there must be a glass full of fat there ! I didn't add any oil at all to the sausages so this is all just fat that has come out of the sausages during cooking. Better out than in ! You don't get anywhere near as much fat out of them when frying or grilling them so I was amazed !

So there you have it. Perfectly browned sausages ready for the slow cooker (or to be served up on your plate). Another bonus ? You don't get hot fat splattering your T shirt or hands as you often do if you cook them in a frying pan.

Other blogposts you may be interested in :

Tefal Actifry Doesn't Just Do Chips ! : Apple Wedges with Apricot

Tefal Actifry Doesn't Just Do Chips ! - Chicken & Pineapple

Tefal Actifry Doesn't Just Do Chips ! - Chilli Con Carne

SKYPE CONNECTS TEACHERS AND CLASSROOMS ACROSS THE GLOBE

2012-01-25T13:41:00.000Z

As many of you know, as well as being a mum and blogger, I'm also a teacher. Last week, I used Skype at school for the first time ever for a live webcam chat with a school in Kentucky. It was a lot easier to set up than I imagined and it all ran without a hitch. (Phew!) The kids loved it and got really excited and motivated, which is a rare thing for some of them ! Within ten minutes, they'd learned about the American kids having to hide under their tables last week when a tornado passed by, about them standing up every morning hand on heart and taking the Pledge of Allegiance and about their ten minutes in between each of their classes to go to their lockers. I found it fascinating to see the kind of questions they asked too ! We'll be doing it all over again tomorrow, this time working out some questions and answers in advance so that we can guide the discussion on to predetermined themes. (That's the plan anyway !).

I was already really chuffed to see how well it all worked but I've just discovered that there is also a Skype in the Classroom resource, that makes it much easier for schools to find classes to pair up with. I'm off to sign up right now but thought I'd tell you about it too. This press release is from last year so it's probably all evolved since then.

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LUXEMBOURG, March 30th, 2011 – School teachers and students everywhere now have an easy way to find each other for collaborative projects and shared learning through a new online platform provided by Skype. Skype in the classroom is a free global community created in response to, and in consultation with, the growing number of teachers using Skype to help their students learn. Teachers can use the tool to collaborate with other teachers, and find partner classes and guest speakers. Skype in the classroom is designed to help like-minded teachers find each other and relevant projects according to search criteria such as the age groups they teach, location and subjects of interest; and teaching resources can be easily shared and found.

In the past, many teachers have found that the biggest challenge to using Skype in their classrooms has been finding similar classes to pair with. Skype in the classroom presents a solution by bringing like-minded teachers together online and making it easy for them to share skills and ideas.

Today more and more teachers all over the world use Skype to make learning more exciting, interactive and memorable. From language studies and geography lessons to virtual field trips and expert speakers joining classes from afar, Skype video offers an immediate way to help students discover new cultures, languages and ideas, all without leaving the classroom. In addition, teachers are being encouraged to do more to share their expertise and experiences systematically in ways that go beyond the mere exchange of information. It is also reported that teachers who exchange ideas and information and co-ordinate their practices with other teachers report more positive teacher-student relations at their own schools.

The platform, which has been in beta since the end of December, already has a community of more than 3000 teachers, across 99 countries. Kara Cornejo, who teaches a 5^th grade class in Missouri, USA, and is an avid Skype user, found five schools around the world to collaborate with on an international weather project within just one day of joining. “Skype in the classroom is an amazing resource to find teachers to collaborate with and to bring people into your classroom that you would never have been able to.”

The Global Learning Exchange, a program designed to create borderless classrooms and allow students to learn about other cultures seamlessly has been using Skype video for four years. Regular exchanges between Jurong West primary school children in Singapore and Bill Williams Elementary school students in California, USA “has helped all 260 students from both schools build relationships with one another and facilitated learning that is not limited by geographical borders,” said co-founder Manuel Rose Delema. “Skype makes learning fun and engaging as children look forward to meeting their global friends and asking questions.”

In a similar way, Skype is also used to connect 9-10 year old students at Lakanal School in Lille, France with their peers in Prince Edouard Island, Canada. “Before arranging the first video call, our students exchanged letters and emails but we decided to bring the two classes together face-to-face over Skype video to enrich their relationship,” said Christophe Fetat, the teacher at Lakanal School. “The result was amazing. Students were really engaged to discuss different topics. It is really a simple and effective way to exchange ideas, learn and bring other cultures into the class.”

“Skype is committed to removing the barriers to communications and enabling conversations around the world with technology that is easy to use and affordable,” said Tony Bates, Skype Chief Executive Officer. “Skype in the classroom has been developed for a specific community of people who have a shared interest and are passionate about using technology in inventive ways in their classroom. We’ve received positive feedback from teachers and are keen to continue developing the site to meet their needs and help school children around the world work together in wonderful ways never thought possible.”

To join Skype in the classroom, teachers should:

1) Sign up at education.skype.com using their Skype account details

2) Create a profile which includes their interests, location and the age groups they teach

3) Explore the directory to find projects, teachers and resources that match their skills, needs or interests

Skype in the classroom is a members-only community. Once teachers find someone they want to connect with they can add that person as a Skype contact or send them a message through the site.

To find projects, teachers, resources, and inspiration visit www.education.skype.com

You can get news and updates from Skype in the classroom via Twitter: twitter.com/SkypeClassroom or Facebook: www.facebook.com/skypeintheclassroom and from Skype on its blogs.skype.com,  Twitter: twitter.com/skype, or Facebook: www.facebook.com/skype.

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Virgin Media shares eight top tips on a safer online experience

THE ERA OF iPARENTING - New mums turn to the internet for parenting advice

Half price offer and free trial for the Reading Kingdom programme

Kids' app review : Patchy

2012-01-25T10:03:00.002Z

Absolutely ages ago, the lovely people at Punflay Kids sent us through a code to review a kids' story-telling app called Patchy. I redeemed it and it came through fine to the list of apps in my iTunes library but I just couldn't make it appear on my iPad. They generously sent me through a new code and the same thing happened. I eventually figured out that this was because I needed to update the software installed on my iPad because Patchy needs iOS 5.0 or later. Now, I still don't really know what this means but if you suddenly have an app that won't work, it could be the solution !

But on to the app itself. Patchy is a lovely, heart-warming animated storybook app which tells the tale of a little patchwork doll (callled Patchy, funnily enough), who is sad and alone after being abandoned in an old house. When he sees a little girl crying just outside the window, he decides to cheer her up and offers up his most valuable possession - his little heart patch. With the help of her dog, the girl finds Patchy and the pair become lifelong friends. All together now - ahhhhh !

The story is told as a poem (which I always like because it reminds me of reading Dr Seuss when I was little !) and is read by a child, which the Madhouse mini-testers found really appealing. The story is easy to understand but a bit Americanised in places, using a few words that they didn't know such as "dame" and "l'il". Now excuse me for being a teacher, but shouldn't that be li'l ? Or "small" would have been even better and still respected the number of syllables. Small niggles, but niggles nevertheless, as this is designed as an educational app.

The gentle music and lovely simple graphics and animations are great for quiet play and won't send the kids hyper. In "autoplay" mode, you don't have to do anything because the pages turn by themselves, but you can also choose to do this yourself. I would have liked the option that many story-telling apps offer of being able to turn off the narration so that beginner readers can read it themselves, clicking on single words as prompts if they get stuck. Another possibility would be to have each word light up as the narrator reads it, to help recognise new words.

As well as being a lovely story about friendship and being kind to others, the app also offers some fun interaction for little learners. After an initial read to discover the tale, subsequent plays offer you the chance to complete simple activities.While the older mini-testers (aged 6 and 10) enjoyed these, they were a bit too difficult for 2-year-old Pierre. Clicking on the bucket and spade to open up the games also broke up the flow of the story as it takes you away from the main screen and the unfolding plot.

All in all though, it's an enjoyable app with a lovely message that the Madhouse mini-testers really liked.

star rating : 4/5

RRP : £1.49

for more information : http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/patchy/id473532225?mt=8&affId=1953736

Other blogposts you may be interested in :

Jack and the Beanstalk ipad app review

Kids' ipad app review : Hide, Run, Growl

Postman Pat Special Delivery Service iPad App review

New Covent Garden Soup of the Month competition : 'The World Unites in London'

2012-01-24T21:09:00.000Z

As you'll know if you're a regular follower of this blog, I've entered a few recipes in the New Covent Garden Soup of the Month recipe competition and I love discovering the new themes and trying to concoct the perfect recipe to fit in with it while being utterly delicious ! This month's challenge is : The World Unites in London.

Introducing our new theme: 'The World Unites in London'

Help us celebrate the world coming to London this summer! We want your best fusion soup recipes with ingredients and flavours from across the globe that come together in one delicious bowl of soup!

This is your chance to make a truly original dish and get experimental in the kitchen. This soup could be a fusion of classic British ingredients with an exotic twist or could combine the most unlikely of country's cuisines to make a delectable celebration of the world uniting in London!

Well, my offering is : Jamaican Jerk Chicken, Sweet Potato and Pineapple Soup

400g cooked chicken, shredded

1/4 fresh pineapple, chopped into chunks plus the juice, reserved

4 tbsp Jamaican Jerk Sauce

1 red onion, sliced

1 red pepper, blackened, peeled and chopped

200g sweet potato, baked

1 litre chicken stock

salt, black pepper

Stirfry the onion for a few minutes until translucent and soft. Add in the red pepper, baked sweet potato and chicken and stir well to blend all the flavours.

Add the seasonings (jerk, salt, pepper) and the pineapple juice. Mix again. Add the pineapple and allow to reduce until it all goes soft and almost caramelised.

Remove half, blend in a mixer, add the chicken stock and add the non-blended half (so it's thick and lumpy with identifiable chunks of goodness in it, that will surprise your tastebuds with spicy chicken and sweet pineapple in each spoonful).

You can head over to the New Covent Garden website to vote for my soup here : http://www.newcoventgardensoup.com/members-soups/jamaican-jerk-chicken-sweet-potato-and-pineapple-soup

Why not see what you can come up with and enter your own recipe too. Feel free to leave a link to your efforts here so we can vote for you too.

Other blogposts you may be interested in :

New Covent Garden Soup of the Month competition : 'A taste of the Med'

The Madhouse creates a potential New Covent Garden Soup of the month !

New Covent Garden's Soup of the Month competition - Recovery

The Handpicked Collection

2012-01-24T20:20:00.000Z

The Handpicked Collection is an online and mail order gift company that specialises in unusual and imaginative gift ideas. I discovered their Christmas catalogue back in November and was highly impressed not only by the range of products available, perfect for even those hard-to-buy-for friends and relatives, but also the prices.

As they explain on their website : "When buying unique gifts, or a treat for yourself, you want to know you're getting something special. This is why we founded The Handpicked Collection. We love the challenge of finding unusual gift ideas, and want you to enjoy shopping for gifts as much as we do. Our unique expert panel helps keep us on the right track, finding stylish and great value presents. So here it is, our award-winning gift shop, offering great customer service plus time saving extras like our gift ideas finder service. Happy shopping!"

I'll be reviewing something from the collection shortly but in the meantime, here are their top picks for Mother's Day gifts. (Yes, I know we've barely packed away the Christmas decorations but what happened to your New Year's resolution to be more organised this year ?!)

I Love You Mummy Heart Dish

£5.95

A lovely daily reminder in the form of a little dish, perfect for her favourite earrings.

Seed Packets Organiser

£19.95

Green-fingered Mums would love this retro tin for bringing order to their wild, untamed collection of seed packets.

Special Places to Stay – British Bed & Breakfast

£14.95

If she’s spent many a year providing this service for you, why not scour the pages of this book and return the favour?

Black + Blum Candelabra Loop

£19.95

True elegance for the hostess with the mostest.

Tip: if you get her two, she can hook them together for a stunning centre piece.

Emma Bridgewater Big Love Tin

£9.95

This will make sure you’re the first person in her mind the next time she bakes a batch of cupcakes.

Glass Photo Cube

£9.95

There’s a reason this design has been around for decades. Fill it with three favourite pictures and she’s sure to put it in pride of place.

Mummy Rules Mug

£9.95

Well, this just formalises what we all know!

The Handpicked Collection are also having a New Year Sale which will continue until the end of the month. Unlike many of the high street stores who use the sales as a way of churning out all the old rubbish that nobody wants even at reduced prices, they’ve just added the new category Bestsellers where you can get your hands on forty of their bestselling gifts at bargain prices of up to 40% off. Here are some highlights. I love those Marrakech lanterns.

Caterpillar Bud Vase ~~£9.95~~ £7.96

Silver-Plated Jug – Large ~~£49.95~~ £39.96

Silver-Plated Jug – Mini ~~£24.95~~ £19.96

Natural Slate Cheeseboard ~~£14.95~~ £11.96

Marrakech Cream Lantern – Large ~~£15.95~~ £11.17

Marrakech Cream Lantern – Small ~~£9.95~~ £6.97

for more information : www.handpickedcollection.com

Other blogposts you may be interested in :

Valentine's Day gift ideas from Find Me A Gift

Firefly Love Potion review

True Rose by Yankee Candle - lasts longer than a bunch of flowers !

Little Rooster Launches First Snorgasm Competition

2012-01-24T15:56:00.000Z

I told you a while ago (in a blogpost here) about the Little Rooster alarm clock for women that is guaranteed to make you wake up with a smile on your face ! I couldn't help but laugh at the buzz (excuse the pun !) that this generated amongst my followers on twitter so I had to share this news with you ... you can now win one! Read on for more details !

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Hate mornings? Want to wake up with a smile?

Luxury gift company Gallus et Mulier has created the world's first erotic alarm - designed exclusively for ladies who like to wake up with pleasure.

If you'd like to cheer up your mornings, then enter the very first 'Snorgasm® Social Media' competition. All you need to do is send a Tweet to @RoosterLovesYou, tell us why you should win and include #roosterlovesme.

Or, you can enter via Facebook. Visit the Little Rooster Store Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/littleroosterstore 'Like' the page and tell us why you should win.

All entries will go in a draw, which closes on 6th February 2012. Winners will be drawn on 7th February and the lucky recipient should receive their prize in time to wake up on Valentines Day with a delicious snorgasm® experience to start the day!

The Little Rooster created a huge buzz in social media circles and in the blogosphere when it was launched, so this is a chance to say thank you by giving a Little Rooster away via social media.

The Little Rooster Alarm Clock Vibrator is worn inside your knickers but outside your body. It starts very gently and then slowly increases in power until you... wake up.

"Most of us hate the sound of our alarms, so I thought why not make an alarm clock people actually will look forward to?" explains Inventor Tony Maggs, from London.

The Little Rooster comes beautifully and discreetly packaged, with its own silky carry case. As well as the snorgasm® function, it has snooze, a play mode, dual motors and an internally sealed rechargable battery.

The Little Rooster is available from www.littleroosterstore.com and retails at £69 (including shipping).

(that RRP still cracks me up !!)

Other blogposts you may be interested in :

Launch of World's First Erotic Alarm Clock !

Motors.co.uk launch national search for most deserving local hero

Vote for your favourite baby skincare brand and have the chance to win a free family holiday

Brand New Episodes Of Raa Raa The Noisy Lion Starring Lorraine Kelly To Launch On Cbeebies

2012-01-24T12:32:00.001Z

I can see this one becoming a firm favourite here at The Madhouse. It looks very cute and it would definitely appeal to Pierre and probably Juliette too.

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Brand new episodes of Raa Raa the Noisy Lion kick off on the 30th January 2012 on CBeebies at 3.30pm. Starring the voice of national treasure, Lorraine Kelly, Raa Raa the Noisy Lion is about a very loveable and very noisy little lion who lives in the Jingly Jangly Jungle with his friends, Huffty the elephant, Topsy the giraffe, Crocky the crocodile, Zebby the zebra and Ooo Ooo the monkey.

Being a little Lion, Raa Raa sometimes forgets his words but always manages a roar - Raa Raaaaaaa!!! With the help of the audience, Raa Raa and his friends solve noisy mysteries, go on adventures and have lots of fun while mastering language and communication skills.

EPISODE SYNOPSES:

Monday 30th January

RAA RAA'S NEW NOISE

Raa Raa wants to find the perfect noise to partner his friend Huffty in a tune. He hears an amazing new noise but does not know what made it... he sets out on a noisy discovery to find out how to recreate this wonderful new noise.

Tuesday 31st January

CROCKY'S WOBBLY TOOTH

Crocky has got a wobbly tooth. He really wants it to fall out. He and his friends try all sorts of different ways to try and help the tooth fall out... will any of them work?

Wednesday 1st February

LITTLEST LAUGH

Raa Raa and Ooo Ooo are trying to find out who is the funniest animal in the Jingly Jangly Jungle. But they soon realise that they are much funnier when they are together.

Thursday 2nd February

HIDE AND TOOT

The animals are playing hide and seek. Huffty gets upset when his trunk keeps giving him away. Can Raa Raa and his friends show the little elephant that his trunk is really rather wonderful?

Friday 3rd February

BOING BOING

Raa Raa has got a new pogo stick. He is having a great time bouncing around, but his friends aren't so sure... he seems to be causing rather a lot of damage. Is there any way Raa Raa can practise without destroying their jungle home?

Monday 6th February

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN

All the animals are having a nap. But Raa Raa and Ooo Ooo aren't tired and want to play... will they have enough energy to last until everyone else wakes up?

Tuesday 7th February

RAA RAA'S WHISTLE WORRIES

Raa Raa is determined that he can copy all the noises in the Jingly Jangly Jungle... until he hears Topsy whistling. Try as he might, Raa Raa just can't whistle. All his jungle friends help Raa Raa to learn to whistle.

Wednesday 8th February

RAA RAA GETS HICCUPS

Raa Raa can't get rid of his hiccups. Can his friends help him?

Thursday 9th February

OOO OOO'S WRIGGLY JIGGLY GAME

Topsy is having a party and Raa Raa is helping organise the games. But not everybody is good at them. Can Raa Raa and his friends come up with new games that all the friends are good at and enjoy?

Friday 10th February

RAA RAA'S PERFECT PRESENT

Raa Raa is sure he has found the perfect present for each of his friends... but what happens if the packages get mixed up?

Monday 13th February

RAA RAA THE COPYCAT

Raa Raa is playing a game - copying everyone in the jungle. He soon distracts his friends... but can he put the game to good use?

Tuesday 14th February

THE MONKEY THAT ROARED

Something strange is going on in the Jingly Jangly Jungle. Every time Raa Raa visits a friend there is a loud roar... and it wasn't him! Who could it be? Raa Raa sets off to find out

Wednesday 15th February

SOMETHING NEW

Raa Raa is looking for something new in the Jingly Jangly Jungle. He is so busy looking, he doesn't spot all the strange new things going on around him

Thursday 16th February

RAA RAA'S BIG BOOK OF NOISES

Topsy sets out to make her own book for story time, but everything goes wrong when Raa Raa decides to join her. Can he put things right in time?

Friday 17th February

GONE FISHING

Raa Raa is keen to try fishing with Crocky, but keeps scaring the fish away every time he makes a noise. Crocky and the others come up with a very special fishing trip for Raa Raa

For more information on Raa Raa the Noisy Lion, please visit www.raathenoisylion.com or become a fan on Facebook www.facebook.com/raaraathenoisylion

Other blogposts you may be interested in :

Tractor Ted Mighty Maize Machine DVD review

Thomas & Friends : Thomas In Charge DVD review

Meet Uki : A New Day, A New Adventure !

Cookery Book Review : Morphy Richards - The Ultimate Slow Cooker Cookbook review

2012-01-23T21:26:00.000Z

Ever since I was sent a fabulous slow cooker to review back in October 2010, I've been a huge fan of the wonderful melt-in-the-mouth stews and meaty dishes that I've prepared. However, I have to admit that I always cook pretty much the same thing - beef in beer, boeuf bourgignon or chicken casserole, with a combination of added ingredients such as beans and lentils, tomatoes and vegetables or various spices to mix things up a bit. Although the whole family loves them all, I'd love to branch out and extend my repertoire of slow cooker recipes a bit. I was therefore really chuffed to receive The Ultimate Slow Cooker Cookbook from Morphy Richards.

Despite being quite a small 128 page book, it is absolutely packed with recipe ideas, not all of which are illustrated but which all seem very easy to follow. It's split into sections covering soups; chicken, duck and fish; pork and lamb; beef and game; vegetarian and vegetable dishes; desserts; and preserves. The first recipe that leapt out at me was the Butter-Basted Whole Chicken with Lemon and Thyme. I would never have thought of cooking a whole chicken in the slow cooker before and it looks like a great alternative to a traditional roast chicken. I'll definitely be trying this out but as it takes 5 hours to cook on high or 10 hours on low, it won't be for Sunday lunch, that's for sure !

Another type of meat that I haven't tried in the slow cooker yet is ham and gammon but I will be very tempted to try the Ham Hock with Boston Baked Beans and the Pot-Roasted Gammon in Cider with Apples, which both sound and look absolutely divine.

Some of the recipes sound like things I already prepare, with or without the slow cooker, such as White Bean and Tomato Cassoulet or Sausage, Red Onion and Bean Casserole but they still have fresh twists on the classic recipes I use, such as adding a dollop of fresh pesto to zing it all up a bit.

But the sections that had me the most intrigued were the final ones covering desserts and preserves. I never would have dreamed of using the slow cooker to make marmalade, lemon curd, cheesecake or sticky toffee pudding but I think I may have to give them a try ! I haven't had time to try any of the recipes yet but when I have, I'll come back and show you how I got on.

If you're a total slow cooker novice, you'll also appreciate the guide to getting started at the beginning of the book.

star rating : 4/5

RRP : it says £14.99 on the back of the book but you can buy it for £5.99 on the Morphy Richards website

for more information : http://www.homeofthehouseproud.com/the-ultimate-slow-cooker-book-a-must-for-the-slow-cooker-fan

Other blogposts you may be interested in :

A Couple of Slow Cooker Recipes to inspire you

Morphy Richards £4 Slow Cooker Challenge recipe #1 : Chicken Casserole

Morphy Richards £4 Slow Cooker Challenge recipe #2 : Beef Carbonnade

Hawkshead Relish Damson Ketchup review

2012-01-23T20:00:00.001Z

A little while ago, I reviewed (here) the luscious Salted Caramel Sauce from Hawkshead Relish which we've been munching on hot pancakes and toast. But we've also been trying out another of their products : Damson Ketchup.

Like most people, I would think, here at The Madhouse we know all about tomato ketchup but I'd never tried or even heard of damson ketchup so I was keen to see what it would taste like. The Hawkshead Relish website explains that it is "rich and fruity and perfect for serving with lamb, game, sausages or cold meats, full of fruity flavours from Westmorland Damsons and great for adding to casseroles or sauces."

Well, I first tasted a little dollop straight from the bottle and its sweet, rich, fruity taste reminded me a bit of chutney. I decided to add some to the side of my plate when my curry came out a bit hotter than I planned and it cooled things down nicely, while adding an interesting sweet and sour note so it's great for livening up slightly bland meals. I also added a dollop to my plate when eating pork chops with rice so that it wasn't so dry and that worked really well too.

I can also see this being lovely with the Spanish tortilla-type omelettes I sometimes make or with a ploughmans in place of the usual pickle for a bit of a fruity twist. It would make a lovely contrasting and cooling dip for spicy potato wedges or with white fish to add a bit of interest too. I'm sure it would go with pretty much anything though so I'll be having fun getting experimental and seeing what works and what doesn't.

You can tell from the taste that this isn't a mass-produced, additive-packet ketchup so I went off to investigate the company behind the products. It turns out that I was right - the Hawkshead Relish Company is a small family run business based in the Lake District. Originally running a cafe in the centre of their village, the owners Mark and Maria focused all their attention on their relishes, chutneys and preserves when the 2001 Foot & Mouth epidemic threatened their livelihood, emptying the cafe of customers. But as they say, every cloud has a silver lining.

The website explains : "Within a couple of years they had to close the cafe down to concentrate on the production full time and were winning many awards and accolades for their products. In 2005 they received the top award from the Great Taste Awards when they won the coveted "Speciality Producer of the Year" award. In 2007 they moved production into a lovely 16th century restored cruck barn, just a mile south of Hawkshead, ensuring long term employment for the small but dedicated workforce, supporting the local economy and community is very high on their list of priorities. All the products are still made by hand in small batches with no colourings, preservatives, artificial flavourings or padding out. "If it doesn't add flavour it doesn't get added" said Mark, who is the creative influence on the partnership. "Allowing the great quality of the ingredients to speak for themselves is the key to creating a product that bursts with flavour".

Well, it certainly works ! If you happen to find yourself near the picturesque south Lakeland village of Hawkshead, you can call in to stock your kitchen cupboards and taste the goodies they have on offer in the shop !

star rating : 4.5/5

RRP : £2.65

for more information : http://www.hawksheadrelish.com/shop/products/damson-ketchup.htm

Other reviews you may be interested in :

Hawkshead Relish Salted Caramel Sauce review

Tracklements Roasted Cherry Tomato Relish review

Olives Et Al Putney Sauce and Chilli Billy Jelly review

Exclusive discount code : 15% off at VUP Baby until the end of February

2012-01-23T15:25:00.001Z

The VUPbaby sale is now on and offering discounts of up to 70% but it finishes on Sunday 29th January so you'll have to get your skates on if you don't want to miss out. However, if you've got your heart set on something that isn't in the sale, I can also share with you an exclusive discount for Madhouse Family Reviews readers. At the end of your order, put in code MAD15 for 15% off non-sale items until the end of February. Go and grab yourselves some lovely bargains !

for more information : http://www.vupbaby.co.uk/

Other blogposts you may be interested in :

VUP Baby Beaba Regulo Cup review

Rice baby 2 handle melamine cup review

BPA-free Bottles - so what's all the fuss about ? (& VUP Baby discount code)

Giveaway #155 - win £100 Amazon voucher - closing date 6/2

2012-01-23T10:41:00.002Z

This is a competition with a slight difference today because it takes a little bit of work and you can only enter if you have your own blog or website, I'm afraid. Appliances Online are running a fabulous competition for kids to draw their favourite dinner, with a great £100 Amazon voucher prize up for grabs.

To enter:

1. Get your child to draw their favourite dinner. Helpful Tip: Try drawing the outline of a small plate or circular object onto the paper to give them an area that looks like a real dinner plate!

2. Post your drawing on your blog with the text “(name of child/children’s) entry into the Appliances Online Cookers Yummy Food Competition” and make sure that the anchor text “Appliances Online Cookers” has a link to http://www.appliancesonline.co.uk/cookers/cookers.aspx

3. Come back here and share your link in the comments!

That's it ! Looking forward to seeing your entries !

Other giveaways you may be interested in :

Giveaway #154 - win 3 sets of gorgeous Radox goodies for Valentine's Day - closing date 6/2

Giveaway #153 - win £100 Tesco voucher - closing date 1/2

Giveaway #152 - 8 Jelly Belly Jelly Bean prizes up for grabs - closing date 31/1

Giveaway #151 - Win M.L. Welsh's books Mistress of the Storm & Heart of Stone - closing date 26/1

My top pick from Sarenza.co.uk - Jazer by Ara

2012-01-22T20:31:00.000Z

Sarenza.co.uk, who quite rightly describe themselves as a haven for shoes, are looking for a new Sarenza Ambassador and want potential candidates to tell them about their favourite shoes from the website. Well, that's easier said than done as there are just so many to choose from. I started off oohing and aahing at the gorgeous kids' range then drooled over their sporty models (my gift to myself for, so far, keeping my New Year's resolutions will be investing in a seriously lovely pair of trainers) but eventually decided on these utterly gorgeous boots.

Now admittedly, at first glance, you could just pass them by as a rather unremarkable pair of black boots but take a closer look and little details leap out at you that set them apart from the others. Just look at the voluptuous curve of the front to give your feet feminine poise. The fun fake fur pompom to jauntily bounce about as you walk. The elegant contrasting stitching. Even the colour which isn't quite black or brown but caffee. Not coffee, nor café. Even taking into account the German origins of the brand, that should be Kaffee but nah, it's caffee, innit ? Boots with attitude. Love it already !

As my (eek !) fortieth birthday looms ever closer, I have to admit to looking at comfort as much as style and the snuggly furry lining just makes me want to plunge my feet inside. They look as comfy as a pair of slippers ! The 4cm wedge heel also screams comfort.

They also have a non-slip sole, which is great for the icy pavements and skiddy wet leaves that I've been dealing with lately. Ara also put air cushions in all of their shoes so you'll feel like you're walking on air.

for more information : http://www.sarenza.co.uk/ara-jazer-s761481-p0000041053

Other blogposts you may be interested in :

Rollasoles roll-up ballet pumps review

Inch Blue Union Jack Leather Toddler Slippers

Hotter Shoes

Challenge Yourself To A Healthier You And Take The Mushroom Challenge

2012-01-22T08:28:00.001Z

I haven't tried this but it caught my eye so I thought I'd share it with you. An 80g serving of raw mushrooms has just 0.4g fat and counts as one of the UK Government’s recommended ‘5-a-day’ quota so it's definitely worth checking out the recipes. I didn't know that mushrooms are a source of B-vitamins, minerals, folic acid and pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) too, so I'll definitely keep throwing a handful into my spag bol, curries, stir fries and omelettes. I already did it for the taste but if they're packed full of nutrients too, that's even better news !

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The Mushroom Bureau has teamed up with leading nutritionist Amanda Hamilton to produce a 14 day healthy eating plan, which highlights the many benefits of incorporating mushrooms in your diet.

The ‘2 Week Mushroom Challenge’ encourages consumers to try out some if not all of the delicious and simple recipes, which suit every palate. The challenge works on the basis that by having a mushroom based meal for either your lunch or evening meal each day, you can reveal a healthier, more energized you.

Amanda said: “Mushrooms are one of the most versatile vegetables you can buy, low in fat and calories they are excellent for maintaining healthy skin, teeth and bones and are a great alternative protein source for vegetarians.

“We often forget that our most commonplace ingredients are sometimes the best. Ideally vegetables should make up half of the dinner plate to help us achieve a healthy and well balanced diet.”

The plan shows how the versatile vegetable can compliment most dishes, and explains the variety of mushrooms available – such as White, Chestnut, Portobello, Shiitake and Enoki Mushrooms –and provides a selection of insider cooking tips.

The plan also includes invaluable nutritional advice and healthy living and eating tips from Amanda, which will help consumers maintain a healthy diet and understand how to create a raft of delicious and nutritious meals for all to enjoy.

Download the plan from http://www.moretomushrooms.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/twoweek.pdf and try the 2 week mushroom challenge. A healthier and new you awaits!

Other blogposts you may be interested in :

Are you taking the Breakfast Challenge next week ? Get ready to shake up your wake up !

Thinking Slimmer SlimPod & MuTu System Week 2 update

Schwartz review #2 : Mix for Creamy Garlic Mushrooms

Warner Brothers family viewing #3 : The Polar Express review

2012-01-22T08:28:00.000Z

This was on TV over Christmas so I'm sure many of you have seen it already but The Polar Express is another lovely DVD that the whole family can watch over the festive season that we discovered in our Warner Brothers Santa Sack that I told you about here). The tale is heart-warming and charming and perfectly suited for kids who almost don't believe in Father Christmas any more but don't want to give up the Christmas magic just yet.

Without being able to put my finger on what seemed a bit strange or different in the animation, I had the sensation that it wasn't quite like any other animated movies that we've watched, be they cartoon or computer-generated images. The animated characters have a sightly strange, almost robotic way of moving that reminded me a bit of video game animation.

Well, a bit of research revealed this comment from Amazon.com on their write-up of the DVD. "Destined to become a holiday perennial, The Polar Express also heralded a brave new world of all-digital film-making. Critics and audiences were divided between those who hailed it as an instant classic that captures the visual splendor and evocative innocence of Chris Van Allsburg's popular children's book, and those who felt that the innovative use of "performance capture"--to accurately translate live performances into all-digital characters--was an eerie and not-quite-lifelike distraction from the story's epic-scale North Pole adventure." Ah that explains it then !

But despite this strange other-worldy feel, further enhanced by the animated Tom Hanks characters that keep popping up, you can't help but get wrapped up in and swept away by the magicalness (I think I might have just made that word up !) of the scenery and storyline, even as a grown-up. This has also been released as a 3D Blu-Ray and I can imagine that that would make it even more special and entrancing.

At an hour and a half, this is the perfect length for some festive viewing for all the family and I'll definitely be pulling it out again next year to watch in the run up to Christmas.

star rating : 4/5

RRP :£18.99

Other reviews you may be interested in :

Warner Brothers family viewing #2 : Dr Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas (Original Animated version) review

Thank you Warner Brothers for our festive film bundle !

Warner Brothers family viewing #1 : Happy Feet DVD review

Warner Brothers family viewing #2 : Dr Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas (Original Animated version) review

2012-01-21T21:07:00.000Z

As I told you (here), the lovely people at Warner Brothers sent us a fabulous package of family-viewing DVDs just before Christmas so we've been busy watching them all. Even if some of them are Christmas-themed, I'll tell you about them because they're timeless classics that you can always buy for next year. Especially as I told you about the first DVD we watched - Happy Feet - here and was surprised to see that there are still people out there who have never seen it !

Well, next up was Dr Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas. I'm sure you all know the modern Jim Carrey version but this is the original animated version. It's very retro which I think is quite nice for Christmas viewing because it seems traditional and quaint, but I have to admit, the Madhouse mini-testers weren't quite so impressed, because they're more used to high-definition, computer-generated images and special effects.

I've just gone to do a quick bit of research and this is the original 1966 television production by Chuck Jones, featuring the voice of the legendary Boris Karloff, so it is understandable that it looks a bit dated ! It is an absolute classic for generations of American viewers, rather like The Snowman on UK TV, but I'd never seen it on this side of The Pond.

The DVD also features Horton Hears A Who!, again the original animated version, with the same retro feel. Now I knew the stories of The Grinch and Horton but I'd never linked the two together. However, the blurb on the back of the DVD explains : "The Grinch is the crankiest, grumpiest, meanest creature since Mr Scrooge ! He lives in a cave on the side of a mountain, over-looking the town of Who-ville." Who-ville ! Home of the Whos who Horton hears ! I'm starting to sound like Dr Seuss myself now ! It all starts fitting together and making sense - well, as much sense as anything in the wacky world of Dr Seuss anyway !

I don't think the DVD will be your kids' absolutely favourite Christmas viewing but is a lovely slice of nostalgia that the whole family can sit down and watch in the run up to Christmas. Back in the day, it won awards so it's a great way of showing kids what TV used to look like before computers were used. For older kids, it's also really interesting to watch this and compare it with the modern film version, as well as going back to the original Dr Seuss book to see how it all started. Hmm I could probably come up with a really cool lesson plan based around that for Christmas next year - now there's an idea !

star rating : 3/5

RRP : £4.55 on amazon

run time : 50 minutes

Other reviews you may be interested in :

Warner Brothers family viewing #1 : Happy Feet DVD review

Thank you Warner Brothers for our festive film bundle !

MARLEY & ME: THE PUPPY YEARS DVD review

Valentine's Day gift ideas from Find Me A Gift

2012-01-21T19:16:00.002Z

I always like looking at Find Me A Gift's gift guides because they come up with original, quirky ideas that I'd never have thought of. Here's their selection of romantic gifts for Valentine's Day if you're still looking for inspiration.

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NAME A ROSE rrp £19.99

http://www.find-me-a-gift.co.uk/gifts-for-her/unique-gifts-for-women/name-a-rose-gift-set.html

The Name A Rose Gift Set is the perfect present for your Valentine and lets you or your recipient name and grow their own rose. From the subtly scented rose petals, to the seeds and registration card included, they’ll be blooming happy you’ve chosen this one-of-a-kind gift.

PERSONALISED CHAMPAGNE FLUTES – rrp £19.99

http://www.find-me-a-gift.co.uk/personalised-happy-valentines-day-flutes.html

What better way to drink your personalised champagne in than a pair of personalised champagne flutes? The "Happy Valentine’s Day" message is standard, as is the love hearts design. You can then personalise them with names and a date or your own romantic message of up to 40 characters.

Love Rug SLANKET – rrp £24.99

http://www.find-me-a-gift.co.uk/home-gifts-for-women-love-rug-sleeved-blanket.html

The Slanket has come over all romantic. Snuggle up to a Valentine in a beautiful soft Love Rug with a box of chocolates and a slushy film. Pop your hands through the sleeves to reach for the remote, send a flirty text or read a book. It even has a secret pocket for you to store the remote or your mobile phone!

MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE – rrp £19.90

http://www.find-me-a-gift.co.uk/gifts-for-men//message-in-a-bottle.html

This enchanting present brings a welcome change from chocolates and flowers, with a fully personalised scroll carrying a message of up to 2000 characters. The Message in a Bottle arrives in a nautical treasure chest complete with sea shells and sand for extra authenticity.

LOVE HEARTS EGG CUPS AND EGG COSIES rrp £7.99

http://www.find-me-a-gift.co.uk/novelty-egg-cups-love-hearts-egg-cups-and-cosies.html

This set of 2 egg cups and egg cosies have cute Love Hearts theme! Ideal for enjoying a boiled egg at breakfast on Valentine’s Day , make sure they get eaten in style with this adorable breakfast set.

(We reviewed these here last year.)

BIG HUG HEART CUSHION rrp £4.99

http://www.find-me-a-gift.co.uk/big-hug-heart-cushion-heart-pillow.html

The Big Hug Heart Cushion's make an ideal gift for anyone who loves to cuddle. It has its arms out stretched and is shaped like a heart. This heart pillow is waiting for hugs. Give your home a splash of colour, or your Valentine a bit of love with this Big Hug Heart Cushion.

SECRET MESSAGE ARROW – rrp £14.99

http://www.find-me-a-gift.co.uk/gifts-for-men/personal-gift/secret-message-arrow.html

Make like cupid and stun your Valentine with a meaningful secret message hidden inside this brushed steel arrow. It comes with five spare scrolls in case you don’t get your love note right first time round… or if you’re given to changing your mind! Dimensions of the message arrow: 335 x 52 x 10mm.

Bomb Cosmetics Love In Vegas Set rrp £9.99

http://www.find-me-a-gift.co.uk/handmade-soaps-bomb-cosmetics-bath-bombs-bath-melts-love-in-vegas-gift-set.html

Bomb Cosmetics ranges from lavish handmade soaps, bath melts and bath bombs containing heavenly natural scents. The saying is 'What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas' but this gift set was just too good to leave behind. This fab pampering gift is ideal for Valentine’s Day.

CUPID’S CUSHION –rrp £29.99

http://www.find-me-a-gift.co.uk/novelty-cushions-glowing-led-heart-cushion.html

Cupid’s Cushion is a white, heart shaped pillow with an internal pulsing red light. Made of soft faux fur, this novelty cushion is a glowing way to show your comforting side and makes a great alternative to cliché cuddly toys. Simply tap the cushion to turn the LED light on and off.

RING FOR A KISS BELL rrp £5.99

http://www.find-me-a-gift.co.uk/ring-for-a-kiss-bell-kissing-bell.html

Use the Ring for a Kiss Bell at any time and watch as your partner runs to serve you. MWAHHH.......! Traditionally, Kissing Bells were used at weddings where the bells would be rung by guests to encourage the couple to share a wedded kiss. Keep up the tradition in an updated style with the Ring for a Kiss Bell - Kissing Bell.

for more information : www.find-me-a-gift.co.uk

Other blogposts you may be interested in :

Firefly Love Potion review

True Rose by Yankee Candle - lasts longer than a bunch of flowers !

Love is ... a heart-shaped Cornish pasty !

Are you taking the Breakfast Challenge next week ? Get ready to shake up your wake up !

2012-01-21T16:43:00.002Z

We all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day and that after about 12 hours with no food, our body is crying out for water and fuel to recharge, but let's be honest - how many of us skip it through lack of time ? Despite insisting that the kids have something sensible to eat and drink before going to school, usually the best I get is a quick swig of orange juice as I head out of the door for work at 7am ! Not good at all !

Well, that's all going to change next week because I'm taking the Breakfast Challenge. The Shake Up Your Wake Up campaign is run by HGCA, the cereals and oilseeds division of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board. They explain : "The campaign is all about showcasing the most important meal of the day to raise awareness of the health and nutritional benefits of breakfast. We aim to encourage consumers to enjoy a healthy balanced breakfast every day and to demonstrate the fantastic variety of breakfast products on offer in the UK. Farmhouse Breakfast Week runs at the end of January each year as part of the campaign. For more information about the campaign please visit www.shakeupyourwakeup.com "

To make our life easier, we were sent a fabulous hamper packed with breakfast goodies to keep us on track over the five days of the challenge ... and hopefully to instill a great new habit of making time for a proper breakfast in us. I already get up at 6.15am so I'm going to try to fit in something filling and healthy that won't make me get up any earlier. I'll tell you at the end of the week how we got on, what we ate and whether or not we felt any difference.

If I've convinced you that you want to give it a try too, head on quickly over to www.facebook.com/shakeupyourwakeup and pledge to take the challenge. All registrations received before Sunday 22nd January will be entered into a prize draw for a chance to win one of 20 copies of Melinda Messenger's Family Cookbook. There's also £1,000 of holiday vouchers up for grabs towards 2012's family getaway, as well as all the benefits eating a healthy breakfast brings.

Melinda will be on hand during Farmhouse Breakfast Week with a daily blog and breakfast ideas too. And if you need any further ideas just check out the recipe section and downloadable meal planners.

Check out the recipe section in my blog too for more inspiration.

Other blogposts you may be interested in :

Farmhouse Breakfast Week Recipes from Denhay Bacon

Some weird and wonderful recipes from Rude Health for Breakfast Week !

Some more delicious recipes with Rachel's Yogurts & Dorset Cereal