This is  our first review as official The Toadstool Toy Testers. The parcel that arrived was beautiful and very intriguing...


And inside it just got better...


My lot had absolutely no idea what on Earth this was going to be, but as soon as I saw it I knew it was just perfect. 2 x 250 piece packs of Plus Plus Mini.


Plus Plus is a hollow plastic building medium in a similar vein as Lego with interlocking pieces, but every single piece is exactly the same size and shape, thus giving the name Plus Plus. Once opened I just put it on the table and let them get on with it....

 


We were stunned at how good the little ones were, and how they took to it straightaway. Even our 3 year old thinks it's brilliant and is enjoying separating different colours and making his own models and pictures.

Concentrating hard!

Plus Plus is brilliant for fidgets and people who can't only do one thing and be at peace.It's very therapeutic, it's easy to get the hang of and start making really quite complex designs, and the sense of achievement is very rewarding.


It's very rare to find something which actually interests the little boys as much as the teenagers and also as much as the adults - this fits the bill beautifully.






Plus Plus is brilliant for imagination and design, problem-solving, manipulative skills and basics like learning colours and talking about 2d and 3d shapes. It has been a very good tool for getting all of my family playing together and talking. Plus Plus Mini is suitable for children aged 3+, and is recommended up to 12, but we think it's absolutely great anywhere beyond that. ALL of the teenagers have played with it, as have I and anyone who has visited. 



 

(Dr Who lands at the Great Wall of China)

We love it so much and it's so versatile that I even used it to make the penguins for my prize winning Wonderworld DKL competition entry.




Plus Plus Mini currently retails for £9.50 ~ 250 pieces and £5 ~ 100 pieces.  It is excellent value for money because it will last for as long as we don't lose it under the furniture. We've already had many hours of fun and we've barely even started. We very definitely give Plus Plus Mini a 5/5

Recently Walkers asked us if we were interested in trying a brand new snack - Hoops and Crosses

 The parcel that arrived was beautifully thought out and presented.


And inside the box a lovely booklet explaining about Hoops and Crosses - They are different from previous snacks because they are made from wholegrains, which provide more fibre, protein and trace elements than refined grains. They also have no artificial colours or preservatives and are a baked snack, so they contain less saturated fat than fried snacks and crisps, and in fact each bag has only 85 calories. Inside, holding the bag of snacks, was a very welcome surprise - Monty the Monkey!


Hoops and crosses are available in three flavours – roast beef, salt and vinegar and prawn cocktail - all of which are vegetarian (something which is becoming increasingly rare in the snack world). We got to try my personal favourite - Roast Beef.


These are exactly the sort of snack that my family love, and are ideal for the children's lunches. I allow my lot 1 bag of snacks or crisps each day if they wish, and as they all take a packed lunch to school, that is when most are eaten. Hoops and Crosses reminded us of Monster Munch or Space Raiders, but have a more interesting and varied texture.



Everyone felt they were tasty, and were something they'd like to have in their lunchbox, even Daddy really likes them and he doesn't ever usually enjoy non-potato snacks!

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.