After the success of our Healthy Snack Chat we have turned our attention to main meals, and the lovely people at Pyrex are supporting us in this.

ET Speaks From Home, In The Playroom, RedRoseMummy and I will be cooking some easy main meals that anyone can prepare (even us!), and hopefully giving you a few tips along the way.


Toad-in-the-hole. 

A real classic and a family favourite, perfect for adapting to meat-eater or vegetarian. When we have a full house of 9 I make 1 veggie one and 1 with regular sausages. I find this an easy way to ensure my children eat the protein they need to build and repair their bodies.

The Pyrex Impressions Ceramic Square Roaster is perfect for this dish because it absorbs and retains the heat really well. It's essential with Yorkshire Pudding batter that as soon as it starts cooking, you don't allow it to start cooling until it's cooked through, or it will just sink.
It is also a truly beautiful dish, which is exactly what you want from oven-to-tableware.

 
The Roaster is really durable and can be used in the oven up to 250degrees, in the microwave, dishwasher and even in the freezer. Because it is ceramic it has non-stick properties, again making it perfect for toad-in-the-hole


This is my favourite Toad-In-The-Hole Recipe as it has a little something extra, for a basic result miss out the optional ingredients, or add some different hidden veg of your own ~ halved button mushrooms or cubes of butternut squash also work really well.

Ingredients (serves 3-4)
6 Sausages (or 8 chipolata sausages)
1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
1 Red Onion cut into 6 wedges (optional)
175g plain flour
2 medium eggs
300ml milk
2 teaspoons of  wholegrain mustard (optional)
1 1/2teaspoons of dried thyme (optional)
Salt and pepper

Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 200degreesC (400F/Gas Mark 6). While the oven is warming put the vegetable wedges and sausages into the roaster and place in the oven for around 15 minutes until the sausages are starting to brown.
2. Sift the flour into a bowl, make a well in the centre and drop in the eggs. Adding a little milk at a time beat the mixture until it is a smooth batter. Stir in the mustard, thyme and seasonings.
3.Take the roaster out of the oven and pour in the batter, making sure all the sausages don't get washed over to one side! Return immediately to the oven and cook for around 35-40 minutes until the batter is risen and cooked through.


With this ceramic roaster the toad-in-the-hole shouldn't stick at all, which makes for a lovely crispy base,  really easy serving and far less time washing up!


Vegetables

To accompany I used the Pyrex in a way I've never used this type of product before. I used it to steam my veg with 2 teaspoons of water. I'd never have considered this and I'm not really sure why because it's ideal. My old plastic microwave bowls are all stained and need cling film over the top, this is definitely far better and does a beautiful job.


I used the 4-in-1 Plus Standard Rectangular Dish With Lid, which is one of my favourite items from the range because it really is multi-talented. It is oven to tableware and leftovers can be frozen and then defrosted and reheated using the microwave or conventional oven without needing an array of different pots and pans.


 It is just as durable as the Roaster, although obviously the lid cannot be used in a conventional oven.

Basic Bakewell Style Tart

For dessert I made one of the easiest and most basic of puddings which I grew up with. It's basically a  Bakewell tart, but I choose not to use almonds because I hate them!

I made dessert in the Pyrex Classic Cake Dish With Handles, which is absolutely perfect for any sort of tart. Again it is fine in the microwave or dishwasher and conventional oven, and when you serve your dish you can use a knife to cut without damaging the glass.


Ingredients
Approximately 250g shortcrust pastry - buy or make your own using 1/2 fat to flour ratio, and a little water or milk to bind.
2 Eggs - weighed in the shell (approx 120g)
Butter - the same weight as the egg
Sugar - the same weight as the egg
Self Raising Flour - the same weight as the egg
1/2 small jar of jam in a flavour of your choice

Instructions
1. Roll out the pastry and line the Cake Dish
2. Spread the jam over the pastry in the base of the dish
3. In a clean bowl cream together the butter and sugar

4. Add the egg to the mix
5. Slowly add the flour and mix until you have a smooth batter
6. Pour the batter over the jammy pastry - start at the edges so that the jam doesn't all move to the sides.
7. Cook for around 25-35 minutes until the sponge springs back when you press it gently with your finger.



If you want a real Bakewell style looking pud then ice the sponge white and then pipe a coloured grid on the top. Using a skewer draw across the grid, in between the lines, which will drag the colour into the white and give the right finish. I didn't ice ours as we ate it with custard.

Pyrex is a trademark of Corning Inc, used by permission.

Father's Day can be a tricky thing to buy a gift for and I always welcome new ideas, so I was really pleased when It's Your Story asked me to review a book for them with Daddy as the main character.

I was even more delighted when I then won an online competition to choose any other medium book from the range as it allowed me to choose books on behalf of both my two little boys!

Adult and Child Zoo Adventure

Daddy is very much the star of this book, and I was asked to supply a photo and some details about Daddy and the child, including Daddy's age and favourite food. I chose this shot because Daddy is looking straight to camera, and tiny, tiny bit crazy....


A personal message from the sender to the child or Daddy is printed at the front of the book and their face is included 13 times in the illustrations. Their name features 26 times in the book and the child's name 19 times.

Daddy's photo even appears on the front cover. 


In the adventure Daddy and the child take a tour of the zoo, and Daddy interacts with lots of different animals, including our favourite - monkeys!


The inside cover of the last page shows lots of different 'Daddy' and Zoo facts. There are also a few facts about Daddy and the child throughout the text in the book itself.


 The Dressing Up Box

For this book I ordered online using a code, and I was stunned how quick it was. The whole ordering process was over in less than 3 minutes. I knew I'd have to supply a photo, and I chose this big smiley one.

In this book the child goes into the loft and finds a dressing up box, he then tries on everything, imagining all the things he can be when he grows up.

The child's name is included seven times in the story, their face appears 12 times and you can include a personal message to the child.  

Again, your photo and name are even on the front cover


We can be pirates! Arrrrgh....


And we can fly into space and be astronauts....


This book is written in simple rhyme, and is very easy for even a very young child to understand.


Both books are really well made, the quality is lovely and the glossy covers make them genuinely 'real' books. The illustrations are modern and attractive, and the text is not condescending, but is totally accessible for a small child. The photo's are in exactly the right place and the heads the perfect size. Daddy hasn't yet seen his book, but we all think it's great. Zeke adores his book, he finds it hilarious that he is in the pictures and has read it more times than I can begin to count.

I really couldn't be more impressed and at around £12.50 for a small (A5) book, £17.50 for a medium and £19.99 for a large (A4) book, I think they make a really lovely gift, and a treasured keepsake. The personalised messages at the beginning of each book are a lovely touch that make it even more special to give as a gift.

I shall definitely be returning to their website before very long....

A couple of weeks ago we were sent a whole bag full of excitement by the people from Crazy Soap to have a play with.


We have:

Bath Goo (RRP £2.99 250 ml)
  ~ A fruity jelly like substance which makes a good amount of bubbles and turns the water yellow (which is a bit weird).

Body Paint (RRP £2.49 150 ml) ~ in blue and red, with a squishy sponge applicator for 'painting' the soap on yourself, (or your bath).

Foam (RRP £2.00 225 ml) ~ in white and green, a really tactile foamy mousse that holds together so that you can form it into shapes and even throw it.

It all smells really fruity and feels moisturising, and is mild and gentle for your children's skin, and is a great way to get them to actually use soap when they're in the bath!

I honestly think it's almost impossible to adequately review this product and let you know what it's like without you seeing it, so here you go...


We really like Crazy Soap, we've used it about 8 times now and nothing is anywhere near to running out yet. More importantly it has been kind to my childrens' skin and they've got out of the bath clean!

Crazy Soap is suitable for children aged 3+ under adult supervision and should not be used on the face, mouth, eyes, ears or broken skin.

It is available from Tesco and Morrisons, and Lloyds Health Village Thurrock

The Foodies Festival is back at Tatton Park for it's 3rd year on the 17th to the 19th May and I have been given the opportunity to giveaway 2 pairs of day tickets via Rafflecopter.



There are Drinks and Cocktails Theatres, an extensive Producers' Market, Street Food Avenue, Childrens' Cookery Theatre, a City Beach and an Entertainment Stage.



This year's festival will also see new elements including:
A spectacular Cake and Bake Theatre in association with Electrolux,
A special AEG cookery school run in conjunction with the Cheshire Cook School,
A dedicated Chocolate Theatre to showcase the world of chocolate and confectionery
A specially-designed BBQ arena featuring hourly BBQ classes and competitions
A Wine Village and a Homeware Villlage


With the new additions, as well as the usual attractions the Foodie Festival seems like it will be a terrific day out.

Ticket Information 2013
Foodies Festivals tickets are now available from www.foodiesfestival.com or by calling 0844 995 1111. Ticket Prices: 1-day adult ticket £12.00 (£10.00 concession) 3-day adult ticket £18.00 (£15.00 concession) 1-day VIP ticket £38.00 There is a charge of £5 per car to enter Tatton Park. VIP tickets include a free glass of champagne on arrival, access to the VIP tent throughout the day, a taster meal from one of the pop-up restaurant tents, a goody bag and reserved seating in theatre and masterclass sessions, as well as a private bar with great views of entertainment stage. Accompanied children aged under 12 are admitted free of charge.You can use the code below to buy discounted tickets or I have two pairs of tickets to give away.

To enter, please complete the Rafflecopter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You can't get better than a child who self-chastises....

Boy no.3 - "Can I have my pudding?"
Dad - "Yes, take it now"
Boy no.3 - "But I've not finished my dinner"
Mum - "It's okay, you've eaten enough, have your pudding"
Boy no.3 - "But there's too much dinner left"
Dad - "Well, eat another spoonful"
Boy no.3 - "Awwww man"
Mum - "You don't have to"
Boy no.3 - "I can just have my pudding?"
Mum - "Yes"
Boy no.3 - "How about one more spoonful. Is that enough now?"
Mum and Dad - "Yes!"
Boy no.3 - "Woohoo"

Or funnier than one who gets the wrong end of the stick....



Boy no.4 was in the bath and desperate for a wee, so I grabbed him out and positioned him in front of the toilet on the toddler step. He's trying to turn round and sit down with his knees clamped together "just wee standing up" say I casually. This is a new skill that he's perfecting, I shouldn't have been so glib.

15 seconds later I turn round and he's standing on the toilet seat straddling the loo, trying to direct his aim straight downwards....

I'm linking this to Actually Mummy's Wot so funee...because, really....

One of the most popular sensory activities of any family has to be cooking, and my lot love it. I was really delighted yesterday to spot a link posted on Google+ for Ice Cream Bread.  This is the most simple and awesome recipe ever, and it's seemingly foolproof, I knew my lot would love it...


1. Put two cups of ice cream (any flavour) into a mixing bowl ~ we used 1 cup of vanilla and 1 of Chocolate.

With my partners birthday only 3 weeks away I've had multiple requests this week from our teenagers for me to make online purchases for them.

I don't mind being the intermediary, but it is a dramatic change from what we had 3 or 4 years ago, when I would take them all into town, send them off with a fiver and they'd come back 40 minutes later with something entirely inappropriate and over-priced. I liked that, it was exciting, and often pretty random....



We all buy more online, so it is I suppose just modernisation and we should expect our children to want to buy online because that's what they see us doing.

I was asked this week to try out Virtual Piggy - an online pocket money tool for children. The idea behind it is that you put pocket money into your child's 'fund' and then they designate savings and make online wishlists from stores which have been okayed by the adult.

It is in the early stages in the UK, and it was awkward to get initially set up, but once it's working it was clear and easy to use for all of my teenagers. It clearly has drawbacks in that it wouldn't really work if your child spends most of their pocket money on comics and sweeties, but I can see that it's potentially a very useful tool, especially at Christmas and birthdays if you are blessed with lots of generous relatives (who can be given their own access to see the wishlists for the children). It works on the same principal as Pinterest - your child simply 'pins' things they like, in the same way that I used to cut out things from the Argos catalogue and stick them onto a big sheet of paper!

Alas we don't have many relatives, and our children do usually waste all their money on small bits of plastic that break in 15 minutes, or family bags of Skittles....but maybe one day they'll decide they want to save for something a bit more special...


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We've been discussing Sensory Play a lot over on Izziwizzi Kids the last few weeks, and this last week one of the main questions we were asked to consider by guests Play to Z was 'do we grow out of sensory play?'.

Having 5 teenagers in the house and especially watching their reactions to the younger ones toys and activities my opinion is an emphatic 'no'. They all join in often with my little children playing and sensory activities are always popular. Crazy soap or Gelli Baff and smelly pencils are all something few of us can resist resist having a sneaky play with.

I actually don't think anyone ever grows out of enjoying and learning from sensory play, I think it just becomes less obvious to us that it's happening. We aren't playing with specially coloured rice or play dough that's been made with coffee, we're running our fingers through sand or lying in a bath of bubbles, cooking or messing with engines, or walking barefoot through grass.


With that in mind I've a crafty and tactile giveaway for older children (and adults). The MyStyle Crafts Designer Jewellery Set has got loads of bits and pieces for you to create your own earrings or bracelets, buttons and beads or whatever you wish using the colourful oven-bake polymer clay included. There are 8 different colours of clay and various attachments, clasps and even a storage box included in the set. Our 3 girls had loads of these sets over the years, and they were always very popular.

Entry is by rafflecopter below ~

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway is open only to UK entrants, the prize is one new Mystyle Crafts Designer Jewellery Set supplied by myself, the winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter when the competition ends and the timer runs out. I'll make every effort to contact the winner, but if I've not heard back within 48 hours then I reserve the right to ask Rafflecopter to choose another winner.

Cheeky Harry Loves....is the first release in a series of products planned for Cheeky Harry and Friends. 


It is a really sturdy 10 page board book which is beautifully made and very robust - it'll survive a good amount of use (and misuse) by a toddler.

Harry himself is a very attractive and friendly lion, and the story is of him and his favourite things, which of course includes his friends. The story is in rhyme and is simple enough for a very young child to grasp, but introduces some more tricky words. The pictures are full and interesting. 


My boys are 3 and 4, and they enjoyed the story and have asked for it at bedtime at least 3 nights in a row, but I do think for them the appeal may be limited as it is very simplistic. This is a nice book for a child of 12-24 months as it is colourful and introduces some basic words and concepts including animal names, dancing and swimming and 'night and day'. I think if the proposed range of products are released then this could become a very popular character with youngsters as it translates very well into a soft toy or a range of other products.

We give this book a 4/5

With 7 children and no relatives within 80 miles, plus neither of us are 'from round here' we don't get babysitters very often. In fact never.

We've left the biggest one in charge only once for more than 1/2 an hour - it was for 90 minutes, at 5pm on a weekday and we were testing out the pub at the end of our road. Maybe we're a bit overly cautious, but the thought of a huge scrap breaking out or boy no.4 feeding the fish while we're gone is enough to make me break out in a sweat.

In order that we get some 'couple time' to ourselves, every once in a while I feed the children and then cook something a bit special for 2. We pack them off into the living room with a DVD and a big bowl of popcorn, I lower the blinds in the kitchen, light some candles and open a bottle of wine and we sit at the kitchen table, just the two of us, and have a nice romantic meal.

I buy a meal deal or otherwise try and cook something that doesn't take me hours and cause loads of stress - especially as I'll have already cooked once for everyone else. Scratch meals I thought would be absolutely ideal because they are still home-cooked and have beautiful fresh ingredients, but it's all there in front of you and cooks really easily, so my meat-eating partner and I can choose something completely different and I'm not wasting half the ingredients or spending hours preparing something I'm unfamiliar with.



Unfortunately despite searching all the stockists anywhere in North and Central Manchester we were completely unable to get me the vegetarian meal Tagliatelle Pistachio Pesto (which I was really looking forward to), so I had to give in. The only meals we were able to find were Chicken Thai Green Curry and Singaporean Crayfish Noodle Laksa (my partner is not a fan of seafood).


The meals look really good, the packaging allows you to see how fresh the ingredients are and how plentiful.





My partners opinion was that it was very nice but not very special. It was very fruity but didn't have as much spice as he'd like. It looked gorgeous on the plate and the ingredients, especially the sugarsnap peas, were incredibly fresh.

My step-daughter, who ate the second portion, said it was nice and strangely sweet.

They both really enjoyed it, the ingredients were lovely and fresh and good quality and it didn't taste or look anything like a ready meal. At around £3.95  it offers good value for money for a nice meal that has no waste and minimal preparation and cooking.


Just a shame we couldn't have eaten together.....