Mama OWL Blog

How to make a Christmas Hot Chocolate Station

2020-10-14T11:26:00.002+01:00

As Autumn creeps in you might be inclined to enjoy cosy evenings in, candles burning with festive scents while you're snuggled under blankets on the sofa. Today is particularly wet and miserable and it has me thinking about big steaming mugs full of rich hot chocolate & marshmallows, and how I plan to be buried underneath my fluffy teddy fleece throw in front of a family movie later (I'm very eager to see the new Mulan film).

I have always loved the idea of creating a hot chocolate station in the kitchen for the kids to help themselves to as we approach Christmas and after trawling the internet and Pinterest I have found some great inspiration for building ours. I realise it is only mid October, however this year after so many things have been cancelled I really want to give everyone something special to look forward to, so having a little stand with Santa and a Snowman on it for a few extra weeks is just something little to remind them that it's not going to be this way forever, and nice things are coming their way.

I started my search in Poundland, because, well it's Poundland why wouldn't you? I found a little Snowman Tealight Holder which I thought was cute, and I already have some flameless flickering LED tealights, for safety. In my sundae dish (that I already had - I recommend having a rummage through your cupboards to see what you can use before you buy anything else) I have some tiny long life Carnation mini milk pots, they come in packs of 20 for £1 each and are great for making tasty creamy drinks.

On the top tier I have a Santa Mug from Poundland, which I have filled with Festive Stirring Spoons, or I may use them to make our own chocolate spoons closer to Christmas - these were £4.99 for 8 spoons from a seller on Amazon and would make nice gifts if you wanted to make your own hot chocolate stirrers, just top them off with marshmallows & wrap in a cello bag with a bow or some string. Next to Santa in a repurposed candle jar I have Candy Canes for stirring with, to give a little peppermint twist - they come in packs of 12 for £1.

The small clear clip-top lidded jars were £1 each from B&M and are the perfect size for marshmallows and small chocolate treats for stirring in to drinks (or to eat while you're waiting for the kettle to boil...), we've also filled one with some chocolate wafer straws - £1.99 for a box from B&M. I have a jar of regular small pink and white marshmallows that you can pick up in just about any supermarket, and one for vegan marshmallows from Freedom for my eldest daughter, and also my niece and great-niece when they come to visit - these are available in ASDA and Holland & Barrett (and probably elsewhere too). We have some Cadbury's hot chocolate powder as it is our favourite, alongside the Sweet Freedom Liquid Choc Shot which is vegan, and I also plan to add some fun flavoured sachets from Options and the like.

I bought some biodegradable paper straws in fun festive gold, white and red, and the tube was £5.49 for 100 straws. The stand is a two tier slate cake stand, which can also double up as a cheeseboard for when we are allowed to entertain at home again. It was £15.99 from Amazon and is the ideal size for all of our bits & pieces. The only thing we can't add is the squirty cream which no hot chocolate is complete without - that's in the fridge chilling and ready to go! Roll on the festive season - I'm so ready!

Lockdown Diaries - April

2020-10-05T11:27:00.001+01:00

I was so happy when the Easter holidays rolled around. We decided to follow the school calendar and timetable to keep things as stable as possible but things were still difficult. Our eldest's planned trip home from university in Derby was cancelled because we could not travel, and she was also still working because she was a keyworker - we hadn't seen her since February and then had the added worry of her being exposed to the virus at work, all while she was studying in the final weeks of her degree. We did not get to spend Easter with her, and she missed her sister's 10th birthday which was really hard for her. The rest of us spent Easter weekend together with a traditional egg hunt around the garden and a roast dinner, to be honest after March the days all just sort of rolled into one so it was important to me to make it as special for them as I could.

E was kept busy with gymnastics challenges set by her club to carry out at home to help pass the time. The kids spent a lot of their time out in the garden, particularly H & E as they worked together to keep up their fitness routines for rugby and gymnastics - E enjoyed putting H through his paces with some strength and conditioning, and H had E to help practice passing (or he was just throwing the ball at her I'm not 100% sure which - maybe both). We reached peak lockdown when we started baking banana bread, and E and H had both made some really tasty cakes, muffins and brownies in the weeks we had been at home.

H gave us a real worry one night with a grumbling appendix for a second time just after the Easter break ended. We narrowly avoided a hospital trip but we did need a visit from the ambulance service to give him the once over after calling 111. It was a rough night for him, he was very poorly but by morning he was feeling better. He spent the next day on the sofa with his laptop and watching BBC Bitesize because I am mean like that and made him do his schoolwork since he was working from home anyway. He was waited on hand and foot all day so don't feel too sorry for him.

I was worried about E's birthday. A lockdown birthday was less than ideal and when you're 10 all you want is to have your friends around for sleepovers, and to have fun and be silly and laugh. Sadly, she was stuck with just us for the day, but wonderful friends and some family members pulled out all of the stops to make sure she didn't feel forgotten. Before lockdown started I had anticipated what was coming, and bought a helium tank and some balloons which I hid away ready for the big day. She was not waking up to an empty living room and no celebration.

I was sent lots of lovely video messages which I compiled in to one and played it to her in the morning when she woke up. People mailed gifts, and dropped them off on our doorstep. Twitter was doing what it does best and everyone was joining in with an Amazon gifting spree - I added a wishlist for her and explained it was her birthday, and she was gifted books and nail polish and stationery by complete strangers who wanted to help make sure a little girl had a special day during some horrible times. She received some fantastic cards and pictures drawn for her by the children of friends including a beautiful card with a hand drawn gymnast on it, by the very talented teenage daughter of a friend. We had a special birthday breakfast of pancakes and any toppings she wanted, and in the evening we made our own cinema in the living room with lots of snacks and sweets. It wasn't the birthday celebration we wanted, but we had a great time at home together & it was certainly one to remember.

By the end of April I was feeling pretty mentally fatigued. The break from home learning over Easter did us all good but for me, I just wanted to know what was happening, what was coming next - as did we all. I think it's important to tell you that I have found this hard. One evening I walked out of my house and just wandered around my town, having a quiet sob into my cardigan cuffs before I made my way home in the dark. I missed my friends, and my job, and my family. I still do, because none of this is normal nor is it anything that any of us have experienced before and it is perfectly okay to admit that it is affecting us and we are finding things a challenge, so if anyone wants a chat my comments are always open (and anonymous if you wish). Please don't ever feel alone.

Lockdown Diaries - March

2020-09-30T10:00:00.001+01:00

March feels like it was years ago now, doesn't it? In early March I was wandering around New York City with my husband celebrating our wedding anniversary. One day we walked all the way from the Empire State building to Brooklyn, stopping off in the West Village for coffee before grabbing lunch from a deli and eating it in the sunshine in the park underneath Manhattan Bridge. We spent an evening on a river cruise on the Hudson looking at the city all lit up. We walked the High Line, and wandered around Chelsea Market with our Starbucks Reserve coffee, watched a Knicks game in a packed Madison Square Garden. Coronavirus was just starting to creep in to our daily lives then. There were hand sanitising stations starting to pop up in a lot of places in NYC, but no masks and no social distancing. I had taken sanitising wipes on the plane and wiped everything down when we boarded both there and back. The night we flew home our flight was delayed, and as we were boarding Donald Trump was giving a press conference, we stood in the departure lounge at our gate and watched - for a few moments I was worried we were going to be grounded on the wrong side of the Atlantic - the flight after ours was cancelled. We got on, and then waited while others got off and had their luggage taken off lest they be stranded in Europe with all of the uncertainty surrounding the rapidly escalating global situation.

When we got home I went back to work. Things were starting to be cancelled, it was very apparent that our lives were about to change in ways we could not have seen coming. Watching the news every day, watching the case numbers and death toll climb steadily. Schools were closing, businesses and offices soon after. We picked up the kids from school that day and then... That was that. Stay at home. Do not see your family and friends. Don't go out. Also don't bother to try and find toilet roll, pasta, flour or rice because of the selfish prats who rushed out to unnecessarily panic buy had taken the lot - sod the rest of us. Luckily for me I keep well stocked cupboards and regularly planned our meals so we had what we needed, but there were many who were left with nothing thanks to the painfully stupid and thoughtless actions of a few.

Work was quickly wound down and then closed, I had a sudden avalanche of of admin to deal with and suppliers and contractors to cancel. Navigating home learning with three kids at different stages - primary, secondary, and college - was no mean feat. I had no idea what I was doing, I was so, SO grateful to Twinkl for opening up their resources for everyone to use for free - it meant I had access to everything I needed to keep E's learning going while we waited for her school to set up their online learning platforms. We also managed to put our own twist on her learning by doing things like drawing, baking cakes, writing book reviews, and planting seeds in our garden. I have to say, the three of them were phenomenal. Everything was ripped away from them at a moment's notice and they just accepted it and got on with it. No seeing their friends, no sports, no school or college - their entire world was turned upside down and they took it all in their stride with a strength and understanding that still makes me tear up six months on, I am just so bloody proud of all of them. We had a few rocky days with L as expected, and dealt with more meltdowns in two weeks than we had in two years, but we made it through together.

Those weeks leading up to the Easter holidays were tough going. The wall to wall sunshine we were lucky enough to have at the time made things easier because we could make the most of the garden and going out for dog walks, and it certainly lifted our moods (as much as it could, anyway). We stuck to the kids usual daily school timetables and based our learning around those to get us through the days - keeping to their routines as much as possible, and looked forward to April when we could take two weeks to have a breather, and see what was going to happen next.

5 Top Tips for a great Summer with Camp America

2020-09-29T10:00:00.001+01:00

J had the summer of a lifetime at KSA last year, lots of people ask us about his personal experience of Camp America and if he has any advice for making it a fun and memorable time, and so he shared his top 5 tips to make things a little easier, to save money, and to stay safe.

1. LUGGAGE

Consider taking backpack style luggage rather than a suitcase if you plan to travel afterwards, or at least make sure you have a sturdy suitcase with wheels. J had a wheeled suitcase and it was perfect for camp, but it got a bit bashed and battered after enduring a whopping 11 flights and 2 bus journeys during the 3 months he was away.

2. FIRST AID KIT

Take a fully stocked First Aid kit with you. You probably won't need it during your time at camp because they usually have a nurse as well as anything you might need and they will take good care of you, but once you head out on your own it makes sense to have your own supplies. We recommend packing the following items in your kit;

- Paracetamol/Ibuprofen

- Nail Scissors & Clippers

- Tweezers

- Mosquito Repellent

- Plasters/Bandaids

- Sudocrem

- Antiseptic Cream

- Antihistamine Cream & Tablets

- Anti-diarrhoea Tablets

- Hand Sanitiser

3. PLAN AHEAD

Try to plan ahead as much as possible by making an itinerary to avoid overspending on flights and buses. You can also save money by planning your route and looking for deals, and booking flights with a stop off can save you even more. J flew from Los Angeles to New York with a brief stop in Arkansas and saved over $200 on that one flight alone.

4. ACCOMMODATION

When looking at accommodation such as AirBnB, be very careful to check the area in which it is located before you book. Don't just rely on reviews, google it and see what people have to say. There are some very scary places in the USA... Be careful! You also need to make sure that your AirBnB host is genuine and everything is all above board before handing over your payment details.

5. MOBILE PHONE

Get a USA sim to put in your phone while you are stateside (Camp America can help you with this), or find out what your UK service provider can do for you contract wise before you leave. It's important to have this ready for when you arrive to keep in touch with your family, and in case you need to reach anyone from Camp America. CA have a dedicated team and number to help you out while you are in the USA so make sure you have it stored in your phone.

10 Vegan-Friendly Christmas Gift Ideas

2020-09-28T10:00:00.017+01:00

Buying the ideal Christmas gift for your vegan friend or relative needn't be difficult. There are many amazing products available that are suitable for all (not just vegans!) and for every budget. The only thing I struggle with when buying for my vegan daughter is the advent calendar. She might be 22 but I still buy her one every year - provided that is that I buy it before they sell out which has been known to happen unfortunately... I've got my eye on the NOMO calendar from Sainsbury's this year.

Etsy offers a whole host of amazing small businesses with fantastic eco-friendly products. To prevent giving anything away in case she's reading I'm going to share some of what we bought her last Christmas, as well as a few other bits and pieces I have found on my internet travels.

1. The Vegan Mug, Etsy, £10.45

I love this, and she did too. It's fun and colourful and makes a great addition to your mug collection.

2. Set of 4 Stainless Steel Straws and Cleaning Brush, Etsy, £4.25+

Self explanatory I think - portable, so handy to keep in your bag for daily use and easy to clean.

3. Set of 21 Reusable Make Up Remover Pads, Etsy, £12.97

Washable and eco-friendly, these PlanetLove make up pads include two handy storage bags to keep them safely together when laundering.

4. Chilly's Bottles, Chilly's, £20+

Not just water bottles, but food containers, and accessories too - with a new range of coffee cups due to launch November 2020.

5. Vegan 1460 Ankle Boots, Doc Martens, £149

The classic Doc Marten boot, but vegan!

6. Lush, Lush UK, £various

I love Lush products and they make excellent gifts especially at Christmas. Handmade and cruelty free with lots of beautiful and fun seasonal designs available.

7. Hand-Cracked Coconut Big Gift Box, The Body Shop, £35

There are lots of scents available, such as British Rose, Shea Butter, Mango, etc. if coconut is not their thing, as well as gift sets of varying sizes.

8. Hot Chocolate & Marshmallows, Holland & Barrett, £3.99/£1.86

The ideal accompaniment to the vegan mug, and great to pop in a gift hamper or Christmas stocking.

9. Baileys Almande 70cl, Baileys UK, approx. £16

A delicious blend of almond and vanilla flavour, perfect for a festive tipple.

10. FILA Disruptor 2 Trainers, FILA, £80

My daughter loves FILA trainers and this particular pair are proudly vegan.

If you have any suggestions or recommendations I would love to hear them, please feel free to leave a comment below.

The Camp America Experience - the adventure of a lifetime?

2020-09-27T12:52:00.000+01:00

J has always been into sports, mostly football, which he has played since he was little. His Dad has coached him from when he was just a little boy up until he started to play senior football, and then eventually they got to play on the same team together which was a memorable experience for them both. He knew he wanted to work in sports and leisure post-GCSE, so he went on to study sport, health and fitness at college after he left school.

For two years he worked hard, even travelling to Seville in Spain for study and training for three weeks as part of the Erasmus+ scheme. As we approached the end of his second year of college, his Dad and I paid for him to take his NPLQ - the National Pool Lifeguard Qualification - as another string to his bow. It was a very intensive course, and I think it is very underrated in how difficult it is. He passed it and became a qualified lifeguard just a couple of months after his 18th birthday.

We had discussed the possibility of him spending a summer with Camp America as a camp counsellor for several months, and so as his final year of study came to an end he applied, and attended an interview in Bristol after answering an online questionnaire. It was very informal, a chat in a coffee shop to go over his application and to to ask any questions he might have about CA, and the chap was very friendly and helpful. He passed the interview, and we began the next stage.

Camp America make the process very simple, everything is done step by step and they have a great team available to help if you get stuck anywhere along the way. J filled out his application which is all done online, got references from his tutors and employer, and we made a short video all about him and his interests to show prospective camps. You want to make an impact, and to show them who you are and what you're about so a video is a great addition to your application but not a requirement. Before we knew it he had two offers of a placement. The first one was not suited to him, but the second was absolutely perfect - a lifeguard placement at a sports camp! An online interview with the camp directors followed and he was hired.

The following week he got the bus to London and attended an open day style event where camps have representatives available to chat to and interview for placements even though he was already placed, because we'd bought his bus tickets already and we also thought it would be good for him to connect with others who would be travelling to the USA and to speak to some Camp America staff in case he had any more questions. It meant he also got to have his #placed photo!

After his placement was confirmed, J needed to complete some important aspects of his application. A medical carried out by his GP (a simple appointment with basic health checks and questions), his DBS check to make sure he was suitable to work with children, and then finally his U.S. visa application. Camp America charge a fee to make all of the arrangements which covers flights (unless you choose to arrange your own flights) and the majority of the application admin, however things like the DBS and visa cost extra on top, as expected, and this can vary depending on your area. I think all-in, as a first-timer it cost us around £800 - it usually costs less for returners. In my opinion it was worth it to have step by step help throughout the process.

Completing the student work visa application was a bit laborious but straightforward enough, and we had to take photos to accompany his application. Our local Tesco have a photo machine which prints them the appropriate size, as they are slightly larger than our standard UK passport photo sizing. We made his appointment online, and his Dad travelled with him to the embassy for his interview. It was a brief interview though a little daunting to be at the embassy, but he gained his approval and he left his passport there to be checked & stamped ready for him to travel in June - it was returned to us by courier. When he got home, we ticked off 'approved' on his Camp America account and waited for his flight information. It was done - he was going to the USA!

CA arranged all of his flight details and accommodation when he reached the United States, we just had to book his journey from NYC to camp which was around two hours by bus. The day he left for the USA he still had to sit his final college exam, so that morning his Dad and I dropped him off at college and then went and had breakfast while we waited. When he was done we picked him up and drove straight to the airport to drop him off ready for his flight. I cried all the way home, and had all through the airport too - my husband wouldn't even walk with me I was that bad. He flew out to New York, and the Camp America reps picked him and other counsellors up stateside, and took them to their hotel for the night. The next day, they all headed into NYC together for a wander around the city before heading off their separate ways to their camp placements. J hopped on a bus to the Berkshires in Massachusetts, to Kutsher's Sports Academy which was his home for the summer.

KSA have an amazing summer camp programme and offer absolutely every type of activity you could think of at a breathtaking location on Lake Buel in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. The camp counsellors stay in cabins with the campers and have their own groups that they are in charge of for the duration of the camp session. Campers come from all over the world to stay at KSA, which is unsurprising considering the high quality of care and activities on offer. The counsellors have regular rotational time off from duties, and J made some friends for life after a busy summer of working and living together. It was your typical American summer camp experience - s'mores on the beach, swimming in the lake, a cabin in the woods. Homesickness is something to be mindful of, and J had one occasion about six weeks in where I think he felt a bit tired and missed his family, but KSA took great care of him and the next day after a chat with the program director he was back raring to go.

He spent his days working at the lake, visiting theme parks, playing games, and there was even a couple of trips to the malls for some shopping. The kids would put on shows, and KSA shared so many pictures and videos that I almost felt like I was there - I loved being able to see J and what was happening at camp because as some of you may know, teenage boys are not great at giving updates or sending photos... I loved having that connection and would log in to the site every day to see what pictures were up and what everyone had been getting up to.

J was paid for his work at camp, in two instalments. He had been working two part-time jobs alongside his college studies so had saved some money to take with him, and we agreed to support him financially while he was away if required and we would sort it out when he got back. He didn't need a great deal of money during his time at camp as his accommodation and meals were all included.

Working at camp gave him excellent practical experience as well as the opportunity to travel. After finishing his exams and leaving college in June he would have then needed to get a full-time job while he waited for his results. By applying to Camp America, he was able to make the most of his 'last' carefree summer before a job and responsibilities, to see a bit of the world, and to be independent. Before he left he got in touch with a local leisure centre to ask about potential employment opportunities when he returned in September and was told they'd be happy to hear from him when he got back.

KSA camp began in June and ended in August, when it came to an end he and his new friends got on a bus and headed off to Boston to start their three-week adventure around the USA. He managed to cover an impressive 10,596 miles and visit 7 states in that time, hopping flights (11 in total) all over the place with his camp buddies, before meeting up with friends from home who were also in the U.S. but at different camps.

Spending a summer with Camp America was - I think - the best thing J ever did. When he returned he had grown up so much. He was independent and responsible, and ready to enter the world of work. He contacted the leisure centre again when he got back and as promised they invited him for an interview - which he slept through because jet lag is a real thing, you need to give yourself some time to readjust when you get home. Luckily they were very understanding and he rearranged, and got the job! A year on he is very happy there, working full-time and saving for the future - a house, a car, travel or all of the above. All I know is CA gave him skills for life and it was well worth every penny spent (which he paid back in full by January after his return). University wasn't for him, and this alternative path into adulthood, education and employment has been a very successful one.

I'll be sharing J's top tips for a summer with Camp America, along with some FAQs, and details of his post-camp travel adventures in future posts. If there is anything you'd like to know about Camp America and his experiences, please leave a comment below. In the meantime - see if you can spot him in the 2019 KSA camp staff video!

Moving Swiftly On...

2020-09-26T14:04:00.003+01:00

I can't believe it has been over 3 years since I wrote in this blog. So much has changed for us, but also stayed the same. The children aren't all children anymore but these amazing and determined young adults making their own way in the world, facing new challenges that even I couldn't have foreseen - I certainly never imagined raising kids during a global pandemic nor did I think we'd have to navigate through things such as lockdown, home educating, and furlough, use face coverings and douse ourselves in hand sanitiser every 20 minutes. What a weird world we live in right now.

I think one thing that has become apparent throughout this is that I haven't taken enough time for myself in recent years, and I have been pouring from an empty cup. From being so fit and healthy three years ago to where I was at the beginning of this year was a huge contrast, so I have made efforts to make myself a priority again and I feel so much better for it. In May a neighbour took a photo of me on my doorstep at our VE Day street party and it really hit home how much weight I had gained and how unhappy I was with my body. You can see it on my face and in how I am standing, I look miserable. It was then that I began to join in with PE with Joe Wicks five days a week, and start following a sensible diet and since that day 17 weeks ago I have lost 48lb and I feel GREAT. I feel like me again. Happier, more confident, healthier.

My eldest is now 22 and has completed her degree with a 2:1 after studying and working hard throughout lockdown, and she is now living back in our neck of the woods, though not at home with us, but close enough that she can pop in to take my flour and raid my pantry for snacks. She's just started her new job and has a new partner and everything is really positive. We also love having her nearby again, it has been a long four years without her.

J is 19, has completed his college studies and earned his coaching qualifications as well as his NPLQ. After sitting his last exam in 2019, his dad and I picked him up from college and took him straight to the airport and off he went to the USA for three months with Camp America for the adventure of a lifetime. On his return he bagged a great full time job at a local leisure centre, he too has a new partner, and he's happy and making plans for the future.

L just turned 17 last month. He has now started his second year of college studies and has also just got himself a new job, as a kitchen porter in a local pub. We have been helping him look for employment since he left school and unfortunately until now we have been unsuccessful - I don't want to say it is because of the disclosure of his Autism, but... We all know how things are. Thankfully a local company has finally given him a chance and he is enjoying learning to be independent, working just two shifts a week around his college studies, and earning his own money, which he is saving up (though he doesn't know what for yet!).

H is on the brink of 15, has just begun Year 10 at secondary school and still living and breathing everything rugby. During lockdown he worked hard to maintain his fitness and took it upon himself to run for local charity The Bath Rugby Foundation by running the distance between his own rugby club and Twickenham - an impressive 89 miles (143.23km). He managed to raise an amazing £530 for BRF, who help vulnerable children and young people to succeed using the core values of rugby. We are so proud of him.

Last but by no means least, we have celebrated a whole decade of E who turned 10 in April. A peak lockdown birthday was not ideal but we made it special for her with the help of family and friends who sent cards and gifts, and recorded special birthday messages for her which she watched when she woke up. She's still working hard at gymnastics, and has just had a successful trial with TeamGym at her club so as of next week she will be training with them as well as her own WAG squad. I love her determination and how motivated she is, I'm looking forward to watching her in action once competitions resume next year.

As part of my plan to make more time for myself I will be back here on my blog. Writing, sharing, thinking out loud, helping to make sense of things by "putting pen to paper" and helping to quieten the noise in my head. Writing is very therapeutic to me, so if you want to come along and read then please do, I'm just hoping it'll help me find a bit of peace.

A lot of my previous posts are about parenting and young kids and toys etc, and while I will definitely be talking about our family life and things we do, see, and buy the focus will be naturally shifting as the children are growing up. Lifestyle, home, experiences. I look forward to sharing it with you again.

Summer Holidays are a SCREAM at Thorpe Park Resort

2017-07-24T20:40:00.000+01:00

The Summer stretches out ahead of us and parents nationwide are wondering what to do to keep the kids entertained over the next six weeks. Top of our list? Thorpe Park.

We were lucky enough to be some of the first to try out the revamped Derren Brown Ghost Train - Rise of the Demon back in March and we were not disappointed... I'm not ashamed to admit that I ran out of there screaming! I won't give it away, but it's not to be missed, it has had a fantastic update to what was already a top attraction.

The boys had a fantastic night on their favourite rollercoasters, it was a real SCREAM of an evening (mostly from me on those rollercoasters... I am the scream queen) and one we can't wait to recreate with lots of visits planned for the school holidays. They're looking forward to giving the Thorpe Park Is7and Extremes Challenge a go, just download the app and complete a challenge in each territory across the Island and you could WIN a return ticket!

In addition, Thorpe Park have a whole host of offers and events over the Summer that are not to be missed including lots of opportunities to win tickets with their Monday Motivation giveaways, discounts on stays at the amazing Thorpe Shark hotel and theme nights, so give them a follow on social media and stay up to date with all of the latest goings on from the island like no other. You can find them on both Twitter and on Facebook.

Psst... Keep your eyes peeled for news of the spectacular annual FRIGHT NIGHTS - all will be revealed soon! The island changes after dark... Do you dare?

Num Noms Num Noms - So Delicious! Crazy Creations in the Kitchen

2017-06-27T20:42:00.002+01:00

Having teens and tweens who are constantly hungry and raiding the cupboards looking for food (no matter how recently they have been fed) and a wee one who is backwards & forwards to Gymnastics training and always on the go, I am keen to get the kids in the kitchen and encourage them to be creative with their meals... Hopefully one day they will find something that actually fills them up, though I won't hold my breath.

E (7) and I love a good cooking and baking session and the latest Num Noms series has inspired us to come up with our own Crazy Creations, combining our favourite flavours into tasty treats - with their mix and match lunch box packs, kids can dream up all sorts of wacky combos and create sweet, scented recipes using the outer 'Nums' and inner 'Noms' (scented stamps and erasers) - there are 85+ to collect in Series 3 alone! We are all about the snacks in this house, trying to keep hungry tummies satisfied between meals is no mean feat. One of our favourite snacks is rice cakes, because you can use them as a base for a whole range of delicious combinations both sweet and savoury.

For me - the combo of peanut butter topped with sliced banana & a drizzle of honey is a pre-dinner winner and stops me from reaching for the crisps between meals. E's favourite is chocolate & hazelnut spread, with a sprinkle of marshmallows if she makes it herself! Another tasty topping for rice cakes (and something a bit more virtuous) is mashed avocado layered with slices of tomato, or a light spread of cream cheese with chives and sliced cucumber.

What are your favourite crazy creations in the kitchen, or snack ideas for hungry kids? I'd love to hear your suggestions! Feel free to share them in a comment.

Something for Everyone at #HotterBath

2017-05-01T07:00:00.000+01:00

Rugby season may be over for the Summer but I find myself thinking ahead to the Autumn/Winter when I will once again find myself standing in a muddy field wrapped up while I am out in the elements. Kitting myself out ready to brave the great outdoors means finding a good pair of boots to see me through the season, and while I want something that looks good I also want something that will keep my feet warm and dry, and be comfortable to wear.

Hotter Shoes are committed to the 'Comfort Concept', which I got to hear about at their recent event at their Bath store. I was particularly interested to hear about their GORE-TEX® range of shoes, which features the latest product technology for breathable and waterproof footwear. I had a good look at a pair of Orla GTX boots (which are available in four colours), and look both comfy as well as stylish. I learned about the rigorous testing that products must undergo to be allowed to even be labelled with the GORE-TEX brand and have been suitably impressed with just how weatherproof these shoes are whilst still ticking all of the boxes for comfort.

I had a lovely time at the #HotterBath event and have learned so much about the Hotter brand (which I admit to not knowing anything about previously), and seen for myself how they have something for everyone of all ages - I had a good look at their men's shoes range and will be paying them a visit in the Summer when the boys need new school shoes for September, they are amazing quality and will be both comfortable and supportive for their ever-growing feet!

There was no way that I was leaving a shoe shop without a little something for myself, and I completely fell in love with the 'Donna' heel in just about every colour but opted for the smart jet black. They are great for either a night out or a day at work with flexi grooved soles and fixed cushion insoles, and the perfect low heel height for someone as tall as me (5'10). I have worn them almost every day since I brought them home and they are an absolute dream, and have a gorgeous vintage look to them too. A big thanks to the Hotter team for teaching me about the company and their commitment to comfort and customer service - I had a wonderful evening and look forward to visiting the store again very soon.

I received a complimentary pair of Donna heels during the Hotter Bath event for review purposes.

All words and opinions are my own.

How I Keep My Hair Healthy

2017-03-29T06:00:00.001+01:00

My hair is my absolute pride and joy. For someone like me who has had numerous personal battles with weight and health and fitness, my hair has always been the one thing that I love about myself. Most of the time, when it does as it's told (or is straightened into submission). Currently it is waist length and a beautiful rich brunette although last year I dabbled with a dark cherry colour, and a bit of blonde hair and there. I prefer it this colour. Dark. Like my soul. And my sense of humour...

I've got masses of hair, it's very thick and wavy and while I find myself wanting to try new things I am very wary of how over-styling or recolouring can damage it. I've also decided to keep it long, because I think as I get older it will become harder to manage so I will enjoy having it long while I am able. In my teenage years it was an absolute mess, I cannot even tell you how grateful I am for the invention of hair straighteners so that I can finally have the gorgeous hair I always had that was hidden underneath all of that frizz. It has taken me many years but I finally know how to look after my hair properly and I am reaping the benefits of it now, as it is healthy and manageable.

My recommendations for taking care of your hair have to be to find a good shampoo and conditioner that works for you and gives you the results that you want. I have found nothing to support the idea that changing up your hair products improves its condition because it gets used to what you're using - it doesn't. Find one you like and stick to it. I also don't over-wash my hair - which means it can often end up in a messy bun on the top of my head or tied back into a plait, but this way I am not stripping it of its natural oils. I try and coordinate hair washing days with gym days (because sweaty hair is grim) and around any social events otherwise it can end up dry and straw-like.

A deep condition every now and again is a good idea, and I use coconut oil on the ends from time to time when I feel like they need a bit of extra TLC. I always use heat protecting spray, and occasionally use serum to tame any flyaway bits during styling.

My kids have been lucky enough that both myself and my husband come from families with thick, wavy hair. The only real problem that I have is how much I spend on hair cuts for them because it grows at a rate of knots and the boys are all past the age where they qualify for cheap kids cuts (and far too big to try and say otherwise!).

Do you have any hair care tips and tricks? I'd love for you to share them in the comments below.

The Best Books for Tween Boys | World Book Day 2017 #DoSomethingBooky

2017-02-23T06:30:00.000+00:00

I have mentioned many times before how important I believe it is to instil a love of reading in my children, and I have to admit I have found it much harder to do with the boys than the girls. Finding books that tween boys will enjoy can be tough task but I think we have finally cracked it with H (who is 11) as he has been building up quite a collection of stories he really enjoys, with titles by the amazing and hilarious David Walliams featuring heavily! I asked H to share some of his favourites:

Horrible Histories Blood-curdling Box of Books (Terry Deary, Peter Hepplewhite)
Mr Stink (David Walliams)
Diary of a Wimpy Kid Collection (Jeff Kinney)
Tom Gates Collection (L. Pichon)
The World of Norm (Jonathan Meres)
Gangsta Granny (David Walliams)
Tiger Wars (Steve Backshall)

With World Book Day coming up next week (Thursday 2nd March 2017) we have looked to his collection for costume inspiration, and with the help of Party Delights wide selection of fancy dress H has decided to dress up as Walliams' Gangsta Granny. The Burglar Granny costume comprises a dress with Velcro fastening, swag bag, and eye mask and is currently £13.99, with a grey wig available to purchase separately to finish off the look priced at £3.99. How to tell your son is a rugby player - he will always take the opportunity to join in with fancy dress, especially if it's drag. As my friend Alice said, we can only imagine what he's going to be like once he gets to Uni...

His other top choice was Mr Twit from Roald Dahl's The Twits, but due to his sister's reluctance to dress up as Mrs Twit he opted for Gangsta Granny and I think he pulls the ensemble off very well. I love his sense of humour and how keen he always is to join in the fun and have a laugh, I know I am biased but he really is such a lovely kid.

After her refusal to be Mrs Twit, E eventually decided that she would like to be Roald Dahl's Matilda which I thought to be very fitting considering she shares the character's love of reading. Her costume comprises the blue dress, newt, and book prop, and Party Delights also have tights available separately to complete the costume.

Will your children #DoSomethingBooky for World Book Day?

The children received complimentary costumes for review purposes. All words are our own.

Meal Plan Monday | 200217

2017-02-20T06:30:00.000+00:00

Meal Plan 200217
Monday 20th February	Gammon and chips
Tuesday 21st February	Baked potatoes with salad
Wednesday 22nd February	H is performing at the school dance festival this evening so it will be a case of whatever we grab after it finishes, it's going to be a late one
Thursday 23rd February	Sausages and mash
Friday 24th February	Spaghetti Bolognese
Saturday 25th February	Chicken fajitas
Sunday 26th February	No idea, as the Mister and H are off to Twickenham to watch ENG vs ITA which I am not remotely jealous of...

Meal Plan Monday | 130217

2017-02-13T06:00:00.000+00:00

Meal Plan 130217
Monday 13th February	Burgers and Chips for the Mister and kids
Tuesday 14th February	Macaroni Cheese with broccoli (no romantic meal for two here on Valentine's Day...)
Wednesday 15th February	Chicken Salad
Thursday 16th February	Spaghetti Bolognese and garlic bread
Friday 17th February	Chicken Curry
Saturday 18th February	Homemade chilli with baked potatoes
Sunday 19th February	Roast to welcome J home from skiing in Andorra

#FITin30 Update | Am I Fit Yet?

2017-02-08T05:30:00.000+00:00

Fit as in fitness not as in hot, by the way, to clarify...

I have been doing my #FITin30 workouts at home as promised, and I have to say - it's good. I am enjoying them. They are doing exactly what they say on the tin. Or booklet. I should also point out that I do go to the gym and use weights as well as using the #FITin30 program so my progress should not really be measured against anyone solely using the at-home exercises, also - I have been doing this for two years. My fitness levels are not equal to someone just starting out who wants to start this program before perhaps progressing to a gym, or joining in with local fitness classes. With that said, #FITin30 is a perfect stand-alone fitness program too.

As I said in my introduction to the home workout plan - "The #FITin30 plan comprises 3 sets of exercises and a stretch routine, and you're added to a private Facebook group for support, advice and information with other members who are using the plan", and that is exactly what you get. You can adjust the on/off timings between sets to suit your level of fitness, so I personally would do either 40/20 or 50/10 depending on how energetic I am feeling, but 30/30 is a good place to start off I think.

I can honestly say that I am enjoying the plan. I like the simplicity, I like that it is quick (so you an easily squeeze it into a window of free time - no excuses!), and that I can adjust it time-wise to suit my needs with shorter rest periods etc.. I like that I can also challenge myself further by incorporating weights if I feel the desire to. The #FITin30 program is good all-rounder and suitable, in my opinion, for everyone. It's not the same as attending Project 6 Pack because you don't have the group dynamic and it rests solely on you motivating yourself, but the exercises and the idea behind it are the same, and just as good as attending the classes if you are willing to kick your own ass.

Nutrition and a good, balanced diet is a huge part of any healthy lifestyle, even more so than the exercise. You can't out-train a bad diet, as they say. You can't work out for half an hour, then go home and stuff your face with junk and wonder why you're not seeing results. You cannot cheat the grind - what you put in, you will get out. You have to be motivated. You have to earn it. You have to want it.

Do you want it? Visit Laura's LP Training Body Confidence Coach page and see what the #FITin30 workout program is all about, and what it can do for you.

Meal Plan Monday | 060217

2017-02-06T06:00:00.000+00:00

Meal Plan 060217
Monday 6th February	Burgers and Chips for the Mister & kids, squeezed in between the school run and Y2 & Y6 parents evening
Tuesday 7th February	Macaroni Cheese
Wednesday 8th February	Chilli with baked potatoes
Thursday 9th February	J was too poorly on Sunday to celebrate his birthday so we are off out for a family dinner tonight to celebrate his 16th
Friday 10th February	Chicken Curry with rice
Saturday 11th February	To be honest, not a bloody clue because I have one kid at a birthday party, one at a Gymnastics competition all afternoon, another off on his school ski trip right at dinner time, the Mister is at football and I am meeting a friend for drinks. McDonalds?
Sunday 12th February	Roast

Creating a Wall Gallery - Printing Your Photos at Home

2017-02-03T06:30:00.000+00:00

Taking a million photographs, and then never getting them printed... Sound familiar?

I'm pretty sure that I am not the only one guilty of it. So many of our family memories are purely digital, all stored online for that 'one day' that I will get them printed and framed and up on the wall, or into albums for future enjoyment. My parents have several of these old brown eighties style albums with pictures of me and my older sisters when we were small - family holidays in the Canary Islands, childhood memories of climbing trees, Christmases with our late Grandparents... I love to sit and look through them, because to be honest these days I struggle to remember what I did last week never mind what I did when I was seven and having these albums to look at brings it all back as if it was yesterday (actually, we'll say 'this morning' because sometimes I also forget what I did yesterday... or where I put my keys... or anything my husband says that is related to work or football, though that is often on purpose).

We have recently redecorated our living room and I decided to create a wall gallery in a bid to actually get some of our photos off the computer and up on the wall for us and visitors to our home to enjoy. I purchased some new photo frames in various different designs - including collage style, and single photo - and colours to match our new décor. Getting photos printed can be costly and time-consuming particularly if you order online and then have to wait (and pay) for delivery, and the all-in-one Epson XP-960 printer has turned out to be the perfect solution to finally getting our favourite images off of Facebook and framed to fill those blank spaces on the wall.

The Epson XP-960 boasts impressive specs with the ability to produce HD-quality prints using Epson’s six-colour Claria Photo HD Ink, for 'superior quality and long-lasting photographs'. It's a nice compact machine too (though heavy, so go careful when taking it out of the box), despite being able to print sizes up to A3, and it's easy and convenient to use with the ability to switch between photo and A4-sized prints with two front-loading paper trays. Printing onto thicker media is also made possible with the rear speciality media feed, as is printing directly onto suitable CDs/DVDs.

I installed the software using the CD provided and followed the simple step-by-step instructions to get everything set up ready to use. It's possible to download the software from the website if you don't have a disc drive, as well as an option to download the iPrint app to a range of devices including your smartphone or tablet for wireless printing and scanning. You can print from anywhere in the world simply by emailing documents and photos directly to the printer using Epson Email Print, and if you download the Creative Print app you can access Facebook photos to create custom greeting cards and stationery, and turn photos into colouring book templates.

It can look a little daunting at first, with its interactive LCD touch-screen and motorised control panel & output tray, but it is actually quite easy to navigate as everything is step-by-step and instructions on-screen are all very clear and simple.

We have been lucky enough to have enjoyed some amazing trips in the past few years including New York, Paris, and Australia as well as Corsica and Greece, and I have hundreds of photos that I wanted to print and frame but never got around to it. I bought a three-photo frame for 7x5 sized prints to go on my wall and knew exactly what pictures I was going to choose - one of me and the Mister at Cleland Wildlife Park in Adelaide with a koala, one of all seven of us together standing at the bottom of the Eiffel Tower, and the last one is of me and the Mister standing at the top of the Empire State Building. The quality of these three prints is equal to those in the surrounding frames, all of which I had printed from an online company (though the ones on the right were A's Christmas gift to me & her Dad) and it makes me ridiculously happy to be able to print whatever I need and get them framed & up on the wall straight away.

I love seeing our memories smiling back at us from the frames, snapshots of the kids as babies and toddlers, newborns in car-seats waiting to go home for the first time and small children laughing and playing at the zoo, or on the field playing sports. I have a zillion wall gallery inspiration pins on my 'Ideas for the Home' board on Pinterest - at last my own will soon be complete. I still have more frames to go up, and have interspersed the collage frames with single photos and a nice wooden plaque with a quote, but I am so much closer to getting it finished now I am able to print at home.

We received a complimentary printer for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are our own.

Cherished Memories - How to Choose a Family Photographer

2017-02-02T06:30:00.000+00:00

sponsored post.

This morning brought with it a thick offer letter from a nearby college, addressed to J who will be turning sweet (?!) sixteen at the end of this week. Almost every day on Facebook I am greeted with 'on this day' memories that show me pictures of the children who used to live in my house. The children who used to crawl into my bed in the middle of the night for reassurance after a bad dream or just for a cuddle, the children that I used to push on the swings in the park, and watch scoot full pelt through the narrow part of the river down town screeching with laughter and soaking everyone within six feet of them (sorry, if that happened to be any of you...).

I sit at the table now and instead of little hands pulling at my sleeve asking for a biscuit I have these hulking six footers asking what's for dinner at the same time as they are filling their face with a loaf of bread's worth of toast or an entire pizza (I have never known anything like it). Parents of teenagers or young adults will all tell you - the days are long, but the years are short. Before you know it, you will be driving them three hours away & dropping them off at uni, and attending college interviews.

I think that my one regret from when the kids were smaller is not having more family photographs taken. I have thousands of snapshots of all of them, from birth to now, but there are painfully few of the seven of us together and as time ticks on and life gets in the way there are even fewer chances of us managing to get some. Choosing the right family photographer is important, take time to find someone who captures real moments - especially those candid ones others might miss - and who really knows their craft, and they will give you memories to cherish for a lifetime.

Ask For Referrals

Speak to your friends and family, they will love to recommend their favourite photographer and be able to show you examples of their work.

Check Out Portfolios

All professional photographers will have galleries of their previous work and will be more than happy for you to look through. Do you like their style? Does it fit with your family dynamic? Are they the sort of pictures you would like of your own family?

Personality

Meet your photographer before your shoot to discuss your needs and what you want from your photos to make sure that you are compatible, but also to make sure that you are happy with their methods and with what they will expect from you - it works both ways!

Pricing & Budget

I know so many people who end up being stung by companies enticing them in with "special offers" of supposedly free sessions, and then finding out that the prints cost hundreds of pounds after the company insisting on a 'cinema viewing' of their shoot. Reputable photographers will either have clear prices on their website, or be happy to disclose to customers on request before the shoot.

Choose Independent

Exactly for the reason above, always choose an independent photographer over a big studio style company. You will be supporting a small and probably local business (though lots of photographers are willing to travel particularly if shooting on location), you will know what you are paying for beforehand, and you will get a personal service tailored to you and your family. Studios are often bound by time, whereas an independent photographer will have booked their time specifically for you and your circumstances, and won't want to rush you through your session.

Meal Plan Monday | 300117

2017-01-30T06:00:00.000+00:00

Meal Plan 300117
Monday 30th January	Chicken fajitas with onions and mixed peppers, served with either tortillas or brown rice, and some quesadillas for E
Tuesday 31st January	Freezer diving tonight, whatever anyone wants as we have four different sports clubs to ferry the kids between tonight
Wednesday 1st February	Macaroni cheese with steamed veg
Thursday 2nd February	Spaghetti & Meatballs
Friday 3rd February	Pork Chops
Saturday 4th February	Homemade Chilli
Sunday 5th February	It's J's 16th birthday today, so whatever he chooses

Meal Plan Monday | 230117

2017-01-23T05:00:00.000+00:00

Meal Plan 230117
Monday 23rd January	Homemade chicken curry with pilau rice and naan bread
Tuesday 24th January	Burgers & chips for the kids, omelette & salad for me
Wednesday 25th January	Pasta Bake
Thursday 26th January	Sausages, mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables
Friday 27th January	Chicken fajitas with onions and mixed peppers, served with either tortillas or brown rice, and some quesadillas for E
Saturday 28th January	Deli Pizza
Sunday 29th January	Roast

#MySundayPhoto | First Tooth

2017-01-22T06:30:00.000+00:00

For months on end I have had to listen to E banging on about wobbly teeth and how all her friends have lost teeth, and that she is the last one. I'm fairly certain that she is exaggerating (as six year olds often do) but yesterday evening after a solid day of wiggling, she finally lost her first tooth. Bedtime couldn't come fast enough, and her tooth was placed in a little trinket box next to her bed to await the arrival of the tooth fairy who left her some money, and a certificate to mark the occasion. Gappy is happy!

Alternative Valentine's Day Movies - 10 of the Best

2017-01-20T06:00:00.000+00:00

There are only a few weeks to go until the big Hallmark holiday... But if you're going solo for whatever reason this Valentine's Day or you just fancy a deviation from the predictably saccharine lovefest you get with the average rom-com, I have compiled a list of 10 alternative movies to watch that will make you laugh and possibly cry, for you to sit back and enjoy on your own or with your 'people', or even with your pet.

Love isn't all about the guy getting the girl and driving off into the sunset for a happily ever after. Love is the little things in life, the friendships you make, the people who stand by you through the hard times, the ones who are there for no other reason than just to be with you when you have nothing to give them but yourself. So celebrate love this Valentine's Day, but in all its forms. In no particular order, here are:

How to Be Single (2016)
Thelma and Louise (1991)
He's Just Not That Into You (2009)
Boys On The Side (1995)
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005)
Waiting To Exhale (1995)
Riding In Cars With Boys (2001)
Now And Then (1995)
Fried Green Tomatoes (1992)
Steel Magnolias (1989)

I won't denigrate these movies by referring to them as 'chick flicks' because they are so much more than that. They are stories about friendship, companionship, what it means to share your life with someone in whatever form that comes in. They show that not everything runs smoothly, and that sometimes things don't work out the way you want or how you thought that they might, but that ultimately if you have someone you trust who loves you and is there for you, that it probably will all be ok in the end.

Our Anniversary Trip to New York - Top 10 Tips for a Holiday to Remember

2017-01-19T06:00:00.000+00:00

I can't believe it has nearly been a whole year since our anniversary trip to New York City. Also, I can't believe I still haven't finished writing my blog posts about it! While you're waiting, we have come up with a list of our top 10 tips to make your visit to NYC one to remember. We had the most amazing time & can't wait to visit again some day.

1. Book an Airport Lounge

The Mister surprised me with a pre-booked airport lounge for our outward journey which got our anniversary trip off to a great start. It made it that little bit more special, and after check-in we headed to the lounge and enjoyed comfy seats and free Wi-Fi in addition to our complimentary drinks (free Prosecco, anyone?) and snacks, and a small pre-flight meal. There are several lounges to choose from, we used No1 lounges in Heathrow T3 and really enjoyed our experience with them.

2. Book your Transport between the Airport and Hotel in Advance

Arriving in a big and bustling place like NYC especially at night-time was a daunting prospect, before we left we booked a shared van transfer from JFK to our hotel (and the return journey) using Attraction Tickets Direct. It is a 24-hour and door-to-door service and their current website price makes it only £68 return for two people, and booking it in advance means it's all paid for and won't eat into your spending money. After walking into arrivals we simply took our ticket to the desk, and the customer service representative called it through for us. After a short wait, our driver arrived and showed us out to the van and took us straight to our hotel. For the return journey, the Mister called and booked our van 24 hours in advance for the time required and we left our luggage in reception while we went out to enjoy our last day in the city.

3. Book Attraction Tickets in Advance and Plan a Loose Itinerary

Visiting lots of attractions can work out to be very expensive, it's definitely worth looking into buying your attraction tickets in advance - buying a multi attraction pass is good value as well as a great way to save money when you're sightseeing. We booked a pass for 5 attractions, and chose the places we wanted to visit from the list on the ATD website. You can even pre-book meal tickets (that include a drink, main meal & dessert from a set menu) for places like the Hard Rock Café in Times Square.

4. Use a Hop-On/Hop-Off Tour Bus

We didn't want to use the subway, so we booked the New York FreeStyle Pass mentioned above from Attraction Tickets Direct which is currently £125 per person for 5 attractions, and this also included tickets for the All Around Town Hop-On/Hop-Off Bus Tour and the Hop-on/Hop-Off Harbour Cruise on the Hudson. We used the tour bus to get around the city as they stop at or near all the major landmarks.

5. Take a River Cruise

The Hop-on/Hop-Off Harbour Cruise has four stops and does a little circuit of the Hudson, passing Ellis Island and The Statue of Liberty as well as giving you amazing views of the skyscrapers in the financial district. It was definitely a highlight for me & next time I would love to get a ferry out to Liberty Island for a closer look at the statue.

6. Spend a day walking around Central Park

It's beautiful and there is so much to see and explore - and it's free! On our last day our bus tickets had expired and we had used up 4 of our 5 attraction tickets, so we spent most of the day walking around Central Park taking photos and looking at all of the sights including the beautiful bridges and sculptures, such as the bronze Alice in Wonderland statue. Take a picnic and make a day of it. We also walked to Grand Central to have a look around and take some photos as it is only a few blocks away from Central Park and an absolutely stunning piece of architecture.

7. Do a View Attraction at Night, and one by Day

If you're going to visit a 'view' attraction like Empire State, Top of the Rock or One World Observatory, I would recommend doing one at night and one in the day. We decided to visit Empire during the day time, and the Top of the Rock at night. It was awe-inspiring, and I would do it all again to see those views over the city, it was breath-taking. I definitely plan to visit One World next time.

8. Have Small Bills for Tips

You're expected to tip pretty much all of the time, particularly for the guides and drivers if you are hopping on and off the bus and cruise so make sure you keep some smaller bills for tips handy otherwise it could really eat into your budget.

9. Plan Areas to Visit to Reduce your Travel Time

You don't need to be too rigid with your plans, but having a look at where everything is so you can do a day in one area, then a day in another etc. to save wasting your precious sightseeing time sitting in traffic is a good idea. If you plan well, you can design yourself almost a walking tour as you go from one landmark to another, like getting off of the bus at Battery Park to go and see the Bull before walking along Wall Street and seeing the New York Stock Exchange as you head to the harbour for the cruise, for example. Get yourself a map and find your bearings.

10. Walk over the Brooklyn Bridge

Again another free activity, which gives you some lovely views over the river and just has to be done. There are lots of little stalls at the entrance to the bridge, so grab yourself a giant Pretzel and have a leisurely stroll over the bridge and back.

Can You Really Be #FITIN30? | Home Workout Plan with Online Support

2017-01-17T06:00:00.000+00:00

You know me - I enjoy a good vomit inducing workout session with the lovely body confidence coach and personal trainer Laura, owner of LP Training. You'd be right to question my sanity, why on Earth would anyone want to exert enough effort to make themselves chuck up? Who does that? Well, me. The aim isn't to throw up by the way, but I know I have worked hard when I'm having to have a walk around and take some deep breaths between sets, lest I see my last meal in reverse. I want to push myself to that limit because working out alone at home doesn't mean you half ass it. You go for it with your full ass, you crack out those reps to the best of your ability. You don't stop because no one is watching you, YOU are watching you. You don't work out for someone else, you do it because it makes you feel good as well as look good (though that won't happen immediately after as my sweaty red face above illustrates).

You do it for yourself.

So the question is - Can you really get results by following nutrition advice and training at home? Can you lose weight and increase your fitness levels simply by working out 3 times a week and eating well? The answer, of course, is yes. Yes you can.

You don't need fancy equipment or a gym membership. You need motivation, and determination. You have to WANT it. There's no point signing up to anything if you don't stick to it. You can't out train a bad diet, and you can't expect to see results if you're not honest with yourself. Don't make excuses, just do it. Your body can and will respond to a healthy diet and exercise and this is where #FITIN30 can help you.

Regular readers will know that I joined local fitness group Project 6 Pack two years ago and I earned myself a killer bod by working hard and following their expert advice. Laura is one of the personal trainers behind Project 6 Pack and her new home workout plan with online support group is, in my opinion, the next best thing to being at P6P. So many people said to me "Oh I wish there was something like that around here" - well, now there is and better yet, you don't even need to leave the house!

I've agreed to trial the #FITIN30 workout plan for 30 days & see how I get on. I'm going to share my thoughts on the exercises, whether or not I see any results at the end (entirely dependent on the degree of effort I put in, too, to make that clear) and if you're unlucky perhaps some time-lapse videos of me sweating profusely and questioning my life choices. The plan comprises 3 sets of exercises and a stretch routine, and you're added to a private Facebook group for support, advice and information with other members who are using the plan. The routines are straightforward and Laura posts videos of herself completing the workouts as well as photos of meals, and motivational messages, as do the other members. It's a warm, supportive group & even though you're working out on your own, you're never alone.

Probably the most difficult thing about a lifestyle change is maintenance. Losing weight to be honest has been the easiest part for me. Learning to move out of my comfort zone, to push myself, and to not stuff an entire box of Jaffa Cakes in my face whenever I feel like it has been bloody hard going at times. Sometimes I have fallen off the wagon. Spectacularly. And we probably should just not talk about Christmas. The important thing is to realise that this is a lifestyle and not a diet. You're not being deprived of anything, you are doing your health and your body, and also your mind, a favour. You need to commit to eating well and training as a part of your every day routine, it is a way of life. We all have cheat days ~~or weekends~~... The trick is picking yourself back up & doing better next time and when you know better, you do better.

I have been able to maintain a healthy lifestyle and exercise routine by myself for two years using all of the amazing advice and knowledge that I have learned from Laura, and my time at Project 6 Pack. I know what to eat, what not to eat, and how much effort I have to put in to get the results I want from my fitness routine. From an entirely personal point of view, I genuinely cannot recommend Laura highly enough - she and Amirah taught me not only how to change my diet and my body, but my whole life. As you can see from the comparison pictures, these were taken a few weeks shy of a year apart and I am not only the same size but fitter and stronger, too.

Ready to give it a try yourself? Want to know how to get signed up? Laura's #FITIN30 plan is available to all, drop her a message on Facebook and change your life for the better. In addition to #FITIN30, there is also a Vision nutrition plan bolt-on available to help you achieve the best results possible. There is even the opportunity for you to WIN your next phase of #FITIN30 simply by sharing your meals and workouts on social media and using hashtags #LPTraining #BodyConfidenceCoach and #FITIN30.

Be sure to check out my #FITIN30 progress on my social media channels, and come back to the blog to see how I get on with the plan. Better yet - join me! Find out more and sign up at www.facebook.com/lptraining.

Meal Plan Monday | 160117

2017-01-16T05:00:00.000+00:00

First official meal plan of the new year! We have been meal planning as usual I just haven't had time to blog it and in all honesty, I have been lacking motivation - back to our regularly scheduled programming now, starting with posting our meal plans again. What's on your menu this week?

Meal Plan 160117
Monday 16th January	Chicken fajitas with mixed peppers and red onions, served with brown rice or tortillas
Tuesday 17th January	Burgers & chips for the kids, sweet potato hash browns with egg for me
Wednesday 18th January	Homemade chicken curry with pilau rice
Thursday 19th January	*Brinner
Friday 20th January	Pizza
Saturday 21st January	To be decided...
Sunday 22nd January	Roast

* Breakfast for dinner = Egg, bacon etc