Wednesday 20 November 2013

Organix Mighty Meals - Product Review

We have been sent some Mighty Meals from Organix for BabyG to review. I was unsure how this would go as we have never really given him jars of food. He has been weened on home cooked food and prefers that to baby food.

These meals are not like the average baby food. They have big bits of pasta and veg in them and they look really tasty! Marketed for 1-3 year olds we gave the whole thing to 1 year old BabyG and he must have loved it as he ate almost all of it! He kept saying 'mor mor mor!' and was using his hands as well as his spoon. I didn't taste the meals myself so I can't comment on them but for BabyG to eat so much of something that came ready prepared they must be good! 

These are great to have in the cupboard for when you are running late with tea or if the grown ups are having something the baby can't eat like something spicy. They don't need to be kept in the fridge and they have a really long shelf life. They can be heated up in a pan of water or in the microwave for just 40 seconds so they are really convenient!
 

With all Organix products, there is the 'no junk promise' so everything in these meals is healthy, nutritious, wholesome and organic. 

We were sent these by Organix but they are available in most supermarkets and we will definitely be buying these again in the future!

Tuesday 12 November 2013

Tommee Tippee Sangenic Nappy Disposal System - Product Review

I have been sent a nappy wrapping system from Tommee Tippee to review. I was really pleased to receive this as I had always wondered about getting one when BoyG was a baby but never got around to making the decision. We usually just put the dirty nappy in a nappy sack and take it downstairs and out to the black bin. This is what happens in theory anyway.... But when it is the middle of the night or you are doing a million things at once like most mums are, the odd nappy gets forgotten and ends up sitting in baby's room waiting for you to remember it and take it down to the bin. Either that or it gets left in the hallway at the top of the stairs ready to take down but again they get forgotten, or ignored when feeling lazy!


So when I received the Sangenic Nappy Disposal System I thought it was a great opportunity to try it out and hopefully see the last of those forgotten nappy sacks which are not the nicest of things even when double bagged!
 
We have used this loads. All of us have pitched in (with exception of BabyG). The design is so simple to use that even BoyG now helps with using this as he likes to feel included and to be helpful.
 
To use it, you lift the lid up and put the dirty nappy in. Push it down slightly, turn the handle around which twists the bag around the nappy, and then close the lid ready for the next nappy. It isn't huge so fits nicely into BabyG's room. I did wonder if it would be effective at keeping the room smelling fresh as nappy bags are not always very efficient for this. But actually the smells all stay in the nappy bin although when it is time to empty it, it can be a little bit pongy while the lid is off and you are taking all the nappies out. I tend to empty it sooner rather than when it is full to the top to avoid this, and I leave the lid off for an hour with a window open to make sure it stays nice and fresh.
 
 
 
 
Key facts about this item:
  • This offers proven protection from germs and odours
  • Twists & Locks away germs and odours
  • Antibacterial protection – film kills 99% of germs on contact
  • Nappies are individually sealed away in seconds.
  • Comes with one pre-loaded cassette
  • Each refill cassette lasts up to a month
  • Refill cassettes can be purchased in most supermarkets.
  • The tub holds up to 28 nappies
  • 100 times more effective at odour protection than nappy sacks
 
This has been great and I wish I had bought one the first time round. I would definitely recommend these to anyone with a child in nappies.
 
I was sent this nappy system by Tommee Tippee. They are available to purchase from supermarkets, on line retailers or directly from Tommee Tippee for £24.99

Thursday 24 October 2013

Todays Mini Moment - Tommee Tippee Aeroplane Spoons

 
These spoons are a fun alternative for meal times. Both boys loved these with BoyG eating a bit more of his food than normal as he thinks he is super cool to have a spoon that is also a jet plane! BabyG always eats his meals but lately myself and DaddyG are not allowed to feed him. He is getting independent already and refuses to let even his big brother feed him anymore. Everything has to be put onto his tray for him to use his hands. This is good for his development and we don't really mind but it can get a tad messy! These spoons were great though as BabyG thought it was amusing that we were making silly noises whilst trying to feed him. He does let us feed him with the aeroplane spoons as long as he has something to feed himself with as well.
 

These are marketed as 4+ months and are ideally meant for weaning but as I said, BoyG loves them and he has just turned 4 years old so they will last for a long time!

The Aeroplane spoon has added some fun to dinner time in our house. And if the boys are happy to eat their food then I am a happy mummy indeed!!
 
The spoons come in a pack of 2 in either blue or pink and are available from a range of stockists including Asda, Tesco and Babies R Us. You can find a list of stockists on the Tommee Tippee website.

These spoons were sent to us to review from Tommee Tippee.



Monday 19 August 2013

Organix - product review

Like most mums, I try to give my children healthy food. BabyG is very healthy and will eat absolutely anything. BoyG on the other hand can be very fussy indeed which can make it tough to keep him eating healthy food.
 
I am always looking for different food ideas to try that are healthy and taste good so that even my fussy eater will enjoy eating it. It is even better if it is quick and easy as I have my hands full with a bright little 4 year old that keeps me busy and a crawling baby that is into everything so I need eyes in the back of my head and can't turn away for too long!
 
I have been sent some products from Organix for my mini taste testers to approve. Here are the products they tried and what we thought....
 
The first thing we tried were the Mighty Soups. From my point of view they are great as they don't need to be chilled so they can be stored in a cupboard until you are ready to use them, they are healthy and have lots of veggies in them to keep those boys nice and healthy, and they are convenient. I just take a pot out of the cupboard, take the lid off, heat it in the microwave and it is ready. Both boys loved them! BoyG preferred the tasty sweetcorn and noodles one while BabyG favoured the tangy tomato and pasta one.
The Mighty Soups are recommended for 1-3 year olds. This worked well for us as my slightly less than 1 year old eats well and my 4 year old doesn't eat much so one pot of soup can be eaten between the two boys.
These have been great for a quick and healthy lunch teamed with a slice of toast.
 
We also tried the pots of fruit puree. The boys loved these! We tried these in apple & mango, apple & raspberry, and apple & banana. They both enjoyed all flavours but BoyG decided that the apple & raspberry one was the best.
These are great on their own as a quick snack or pudding. As a breakfast we added the fruit pot to weetabix and milk, and for a special dessert treat for BoyG we mixed a pot of fruit with some crumbled meringue. These are just so versatile, there are loads of things you could do with them which is great for keeping little ones interested.
 
I try not to give either of the boys crisps too often so I was really pleased to receive the Strawberry Rice Cakes as a healthy alternative. They are nice and sweet without having any sugar added to them, so the boys were keen to eat these. BabyG loves rice cakes and these did not disappoint him. He enjoyed them, and BoyG kept asking for 'just one more' as well. I found these were great to have in the change bag as a quick mess free snack for when we were out and about. They were also good to have at home as something extra to have with lunch instead of crisps. I thought BoyG would protest at having rice cakes instead of crisps but he really enjoyed them with no fuss at all.
 
 
Organix have a 'No Junk Promise' which means they guarantee their food is made with nothing but the best quality organic ingredients - with nothing unnecessary added and nothing important taken away.
 
We were sent these products by Organix but they are available to purchase from most supermarkets or directly from Organix.
 











Friday 9 August 2013

Today's mini moment - Chobani strained yoghurt

I had some help with this review from DaddyG and BoyG.

I had the apple and cinnamon yoghurt. It actually tasted like a piece of apple pie! It was smooth with chunks of apple and tasted like I was having a naughty treat but actually I was having a very healthy treat as it is 0% fat!
 


 
I also tasted the cherry one and it was delicious. Really fresh and you can really taste the cherry!

DaddyG tried the blood orange one. He found it very refreshing. He really liked this one as it wasn't too sweet and he could really taste the flavour of the orange. DaddyG liked that it was smooth and creamy especially being fat free. 

BoyG tested the peach yoghurt. He liked the taste and has asked me to get them again for him. 


Sophie's Steak Sauce - Product Review

Tonight DaddyG and I are celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary. We have got the boys tucked up in bed and we decided that rather than getting a sitter and going out, we would stay in, cook a nice meal, and catch up on some TV programmes we have missed. Sorry DaddyG, you will be watching Eastenders tonight!!

We chose a nice sirloin steak, homemade chips and good old baked beans!

I was given some steak sauce to review from Sophie's Steakhouse and Bar on Fulham Road, London on a recent day out with Nanny and the boys. What better time to try it than teamed with a delicious lean steak, my favourite! The steak and the steak sauce were made for each other. A perfect pair. The sauce is delicious, made with a secret recipe, and could be used with other food not just steak. In fact I had some with my macaroni cheese while I was at Sophie's and it went really nicely with that. While we were sitting having our meal, someone came in and bought 6 bottles of the sauce. This is what made us wonder what the fuss was about. Now we know!

I was kindly given this by Sophie's Steakhouse to try and review. You can purchase it from Sophie's for £3.65. It is also available from Selfridges&Co and Ocado.

Monday 5 August 2013

Smurfs 2 - A Smurftastic morning in Covent Garden

I took Nanny and the boys to a Smurftastic event at the Odeon in Covent Garden. We were treated to a viewing of Smurfs2, with popcorn, sweeties and drinks. There were some Smurfs there to guide us to our seats. They checked us for any contamination as they didn't want anything coming into Smurf land!! They even taught us how to do the Smurf handshake!

After the film, the children were split into small groups and taken away for different activities. These included finding some Smurfs by following clues, finding the lost Smurf essence, listening to some Smurf stories and having a photo session with Smurfette. It was great and all the children looked like they were having loads of fun.


Some children had come dressed up as Smurfs and there were prizes for the best dressed Smurf. It was lovely to see that the children had made such an effort. 
The film was great. We have seen the first Smurf movie so we were really looking forward to the sequel and we weren't disappointed. It is a movie we could watch again and again. It's so hard not to fall in love with those cute little blue characters, and Gargamel's cat is fantastic!!


When we left, we were given a print out of BoyG's photo with Smurfette, a goodie bag, and a blue Smurfs2 balloon. BoyG really enjoyed himself, and so did Nanny, BabyG and I!

Product review - Skribbies high-top trainers

Nanny was invited to an event in Chelsea for some cool new trainers called Skribbies. You can scribble on them and wipe it off again. This sounded great so me and both the boys tagged along too!

We got to the event and had a drink which was very welcome as it was so hot outside and we had just walked down Kings Road in sweltering heat!!

While we cooled down a bit, BoyG had a tattoo done with face paints and so did I as I am really one of the kids!!

Then we saw the Skribbies! BoyG unpacked his and took everything out. He had them on his feet very quickly! He loved the fact that he was allowed to scribble on his shoes without getting in trouble! And he thought it was magic that he could wipe it off and start again!!

A special visitor came by to see these new trainers while we were there.... BoyG (and Mummy!) was very excited to talk to Sid from CBeebies!!


BoyG has been wearing his new trainers since the event. He won't wear his usual favourite sandals anymore as these are the new faves! He loves them! He wears his wrist band with whichever colour pen he has chosen to take out. At least I don't have to argue about putting his shoes on when we go out.... I have to argue to get him to take them off!!

The only issue we have had is the soles do scuff the white bits fairly easily, and we found we need to wipe the pen off fairly quickly or it won't come off.

BoyG is very happy with his new shoes indeed! He would definitely recommend them!

BoyG was given these Skribbies to review but you can purchase them www.skribbies.com for £35.95 and they come in pink, navy blue or neon black.









Sunday 28 July 2013

Today's Mini Moment - Laughing Cow Cheese Triangles

We have been sent some Laughing Cow cheese triangles for the boys to try out. We received the light blue cheese ones and also light emmental. Both boys loved these! BoyG's favourite was the emmental but I preferred the blue cheese and BabyG loved them both.

The boys' favourite way of eating these cheese triangles is on a cracker as a healthy snack or in a sandwich but they are so tasty that both boys also like to eat them on their own straight from the fridge!

These are available to buy in most supermarkets.



Saturday 27 July 2013

Today's Mini Moment - Knorr stock pots

I have been sent some Knorr stock pots and gravy pots. They are something I have thought about using but never thought to try them. Now I wonder how I lived without them - I have been using these in almost everything!

I have used them to enhance the flavours in more detailed dishes and used them as the main ingredient in quick, easy and filling lunches. I have even used the vegetable stock pot to season my rice, and the beef stock pot to add extra flavour to a home made curry.

My sweet and sour chicken is a hit at dinner time in this house. I added the herb infusion to it and it made it even tastier. You could really taste the herbs!

I also used the herb infusion in a lunch time dish which has become a favourite with DaddyG, BoyG and even BabyG!! I simply mixed some cooked pasta with a herb infusion pot and some chopped up cooked sausages. Seasoned with salt and pepper to taste. That's it! Simple!

I was sent these products by Knorr, but they are available in most supermarkets.



Out with the family in Southwold

DaddyG has had some time off work so we have been spending some time together having fun and just enjoying some family time. We went to visit the family in Southwold for a few days and enjoyed some sun sea sand and family.

We went crabbing at the harbour. I'm not sure if the adults or children enjoyed it more but it was lots of fun! We all had a paddle in the (very cold) sea, even BabyG had a quick dip of his toes!

BoyG on the boating lake

 
BoyG and his cousing on the boats


BoyG took this picture of his cousin
 
Three sister-in-laws enjoying the sun

DaddyG and his Brother
 
The excitement was all too much for BabyG!!

Let's go fly a kite...

All the family together

Crabbing at Southwold harbour

Counting the crabs and letting them go