Cook With Gin At Home This World Gin Day

Saturday 10th June is World Gin Day and, as much as I love red wine, even I have succumbed to the lure of the Hendricks and the refreshing hit of ice cold tonic. (Other gins are available!)

Time was, you had a choice of one or two gins at your local. These days it's the norm to find an ever lengthening row of gin bottles with all sorts of quirky names.


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It's fair to say that gin has long since lost its nickname of 'mother's ruin', although it does seem to be a standard reference in many a mummy blog.

Gin is a spirit which gets its predominant flavour from Juniper berries and was apparently used as a kind of herbal medicine in the past. But whilst it is a staple of many a tonic based drink and a cocktail, how many of us have tried cooking with it?

Steve Smith, Head Chef at the Michelin starred Bohemia Bar & Restaurant in the heart of Jersey insists it’s time we lay off the G&T’s and instead bring the spirit to the boil with some gin-centric dishes inspired by the restaurant's new summer menu.



Here are Steve's suggestions which you can adapt and try at home.

Gin + Fresh Water Fish

The flavor of gin marries perfectly with fresh water fish, in particular salmon. When preparing, ensure the gin marinates into the fish by chilling in the fridge for at least 45 minutes before cooking. We serve our gin and salmon dish with cucumber and horseradish at Bohemia, which complements the fish perfectly.

Gin + Vegetables

While many serve their G+T’s with cucumber, sprigs of asparagus also serve as a tasty garnish. Why not turn this into a delectable dish and serve gin infused asparagus alongside a summer salad? Add ginger syrup and lemon juice for an extra zing.

Gin + Shellfish

Gin and oysters are the ultimate extravagant flavour combination, guaranteed to impress even the most refined of diners. Simple pour gin and tonic over oysters, then season with lemon zest and a pinch of salt. The restaurant will be serving their own gin and oyster dish this summer, which will arrive to the table in the form of ice-cream!

Gin + Desserts

The options are endless when it comes to pleasing the sweet-toothed. Try a gin and tonic tart, gin and tonic cupcake or even a refreshing gin and tonic sorbet for summer. Furthermore, almost any dessert can be topped with an adults-only gin and tonic syrup made by combining caster sugar, tonic water and lemon juice in a saucepan over a low heat and adding a splash of gin and juniper berries.

Gin and Matcha

Fear not health enthusiasts - superfoods are not out of bounds. Gin and matcha is a great food marriage and you can make a simple gin and matcha cocktail at home, with a tablespoon of Sweet Matcha Powder, lime juice, London Dry Gin and ice.

Will you be giving any of these a try?  

For more information visit www.bohemiajersey.com or for reservations call 01534 880 588.

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Needlite? A Stylish Yet Practical Way To Light Up Your Workspace

What do you do when you work from home and the only space you have is dingy and poorly lit? Or when the existing window gives poor quality daylight?

You might be thinking LED striplighting at this point, or the largest angle-poise lamp you can find, but neither of these options is always conducive to a good working environment - particularly if you are working on detailed documentation, drafting plans or carrying out intricate hobby work such as crafting or model building.

Then there's the effect poor lighting has on our mood. Who wants to sit in a floodlit space or a gloomy cave? And what of those of us who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?

If you are lucky enough to hit upon the right solution, it's likely that it is not the most attractive one. How do you blend aesthetics and functionality, or design and practicality?

If you're going to be spending the greater part of your day at your desk, then it makes sense to create as attractive an environment as possible.

Enter Needlite, a small Danish start-up who entered the Nordic market in autumn 2015 with a pretty unique lamp design - a pair of lean and rather elegant desk lamps which shed a comfortable white light across your workspace with true colour reproduction and zero screen reflection.

Needlite's aim was to provide the user with an efficient work light but also provide the much needed daylight at the same time.

We are all aware of the lack of daylight during the winter months in Nordic countries but did you know that all over the industrialized world, people are spending an average of 23 hours indoors - and often in poor lighting - quite a staggering statistic!

We also know that a lack of light can have a severe impact on our performance: energy, mood, digestion, sleep and even our recovery from illness. Some people suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder Seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

Also known as winter depression, winter blues, summer depression, and seasonal depression, this is a condition where people who generally have normal mental health, start to exhibit signs of depression at the same time each year, most commonly in the winter.

Did you know that you need sufficient light to sleep well?  When night falls, the darkness tells our body to increase its melatonin production (known as the 'sleep hormone'). 

When the sun rises, the level of melatonin is suppressed and serotonin (one of the 'happy hormones') is produced. One of the functions of serotonin is to tell us that it's time to get up and get active. Insufficient light during the day will knock this cycle out of kilter.

Note that Needlite are not claiming their invention is a cure for SAD, however, as a replacement for natural daylight, it is likely to help.

The Needlite has also been designed, they say, to encourage use by making it simple to operate and attractive to look at.

The dimensions are width 100 mm, depth 100 mm and height 457 mm - a decent size which makes the Needlite a design feature as well as a practical item. The lamps are easy to set up - simply set the lamps at each far corner of the desk, ideally about 40-50 cm from your computer screen each side.

The design is both simple and modern but best of all it has a touch control on the top of each light which gives off an adjustable, yet no glare daylight.

The Needlite comes with a 2 year warranty and is so stylish that they are featured in the Danish Design Museum in Copenhagen!



There is also an iPhone app which controls the lamps and give the user feedback on light consumption and usage. It will even turn the Needlite off automatically when you leave your desk. You can also monitor your daily light exposure to make sure you are getting enough.

The app was an absolute boon to the Husband whose office is in our loft at the top of a rather rickety staircase. He can now use the Needlite to create enough light to work by in the evenings without the usual full glare which wakes the kids. It also means carrying a laptop and coffee at the same time is now a much safer procedure because he can turn the lights on remotely before he ascends.

One other benefit of interest to our niece who is setting up her own photography business is that the Needlite is highly suitable as a work light for photographers, art directors and other professionals working with pictures or graphics on screen who need to control the surrounding light in strength and colour. Needlite has the exact right colour temperature of 6,500 kelvin and is not reflecting in the screen or in the way when editing.

We found the Needlite to be a step above the traditional desk light.  Retailing around the £350 mark, its ability to create a pleasant working environment whilst adding some style makes it well worth the investment.

We are looking forward to testing it further when the clocks go back and the loft gets even gloomier. For the time being, the Husband's office is certainly a nicer, brighter place to work.

Find out more at Needlite.com and at their UK stockist www.wellworking.co.uk.

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New Releases, Free & Bargain Books Link-up Week 22 2017

How are you all this week?  We're almost ready for our holiday and the hot weather seems to have arrived early.  The Husband has done his packing with military precision and I've wandered round chucking everything I can think of in a bag.  The car is going to be very full.

Obviously I'm taking a Kindle due to lack of space and if you're more an e-book than a printed book type of person then don't forget the fabulous giveaway currently running to win an adult and a child's Amazon Fire Tablet HD.  You can enter here.

Hopefully you've caught up with my review of In Doubt by the incomparable John W. Mefford. This is an Ivy Nash thriller, a new detective for me and in this one, Ivy must protect a little girl from a wealthy egomaniac hell-bent on revenge. You can read my review here.

As usual, there are plenty more great books on the linky - and don't forget you can always add your own to spread a bit of the book love.

Don't forget that I still have plenty to be won on my competitions page and don't forget my problem page here.

Happy bargain and freebie book hunting on this link.

Have a great week!

Sharing the Love of Books
Enjoy our selection of New Releases / Free & Bargain Books this week

Authors please feel free to add your own books
Readers please free to add your own finds
(any genre except erotica welcome)

This weekly link up is hosted by Beck Valley Books & these awesome book loving blogs...
Monday
 Life as Leels | IrishdaisylovesRomance | Book Babble | All Romance Reader
Tuesday
It's My Side of Life | Celticlady's Reviews | First Time Mommy Adventures 
Wednesday
Beck Valley Books | Cinnamon Hollow Reviews
Thursday
Miki's Hope | Nicki's Nook
Friday
Ebook Addicts | I Love Romance | Colorimetry | The Ultimate Fan Blog | Mother Distracted
Saturday
Totally Addicted to Reading | 3 Partners in Shopping | Angie's Angle | I Create Purty Thangs | Wishful Endings
Sunday
Lynchburg Mama | LibriAmoriMiei | Ali - The Dragon Slayer | Wondermom Wannabe | Deal Sharing Aunt | Rambling Reviews 

For Pre-orders post - PRE-ORDER / genre / title /author

For New Releases post - NEW / genre / title / author

For Free Books post - FREE / genre / title / author / end date 

For Bargain Books post - SALE / price / genre / title / author / end date
(Strictly no Erotica please.  Steamy romance is fine but watch those covers people, incase any underage child is viewing it!)

Click here for this weeks awesome selection!

*this post contains an affiliate link

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Problem Page Edition 21 2017

This week - when your boyfriend tells you he's a "better professional" than you are, whether not being able to afford a wedding is a sign of cold feet and whether constant texting is a healthy thing in a relationship.

If you would like any advice, feel free to treat me as your agony aunt. Just message me or pop a comment in the comment box at the end of this post. I promise to be gentle.

Here are this week's questions.

Q: Why does my guy friend complain constantly about his wife to me?

And when I called it out on it, he stopped doing it, but now never fails to just mention her name, out of the blue, whenever we are having a great time laughing at jokes, then he looks at me like he’s trying to read me?

A: I think you know the answer to this one, don’t you and I suspect it won’t end well.

I am sure his wife isn’t too happy if he’s spending a lot of time with you (I take it that you are female - I can’t tell from the question) and it’s probably no wonder he’s being nagged.

If he’s mentioning her name I’d suggest it’s guilt because he knows he’s flirting with you and the meaningful looks are part of that game. The ‘my wife doesn’t understand me’ routine is as old as the hills and used by men to justify having an affair.

It’s pretty immature behaviour on his part and I think you need to think about where your relationship with him is going.

If you’re happy with just friendship, I think you need to get that message over to him loud and clear.

And if you are hoping for a relationship with him bear in mind that such men very rarely leave their wives.

Q: Is it normal that my boyfriend and I text each other 24/7?

We've been dating 3 years. He gets mad when I take more than 5 minutes to reply. And we always have to tell each other where we go, when we leave to places. I used to not get mad when he took forever to reply and now I do. I hate it. I find it very annoying.

A: Your boyfriend sounds like a very controlling individual and no, it isn’t healthy nor normal. I wonder how you have put up with this for so long.

Are you saying you have to respond within 5 minutes to his texts but he takes all the time he likes?That is very childish, don’t you think?

And what kind of relationship is it where everything revolves round your phones?

I sense that you are realising this just isn’t right and you really shouldn’t be treated like a possession.

Has he managed to get you to cut ties with all your old friends, or worse, even your family?

I would confide in a close friend if you can for support and in your shoes, I’d be high-tailing it out of there pronto.

Q:  I think of my ex almost daily, but I don't want him back because he caused me a great headache and paranoia. What should I do?

I broke up with him two months ago. He still stalks me and asks my colleagues about me. It’s really a difficult situation. One of my colleague said both of you are egotists.

A: When you say he ‘still stalks’ you, do you mean literally - following you, tracking your every move? Or do you just mean he asks you colleagues about you occasionally? Because there’s a big difference. 

Asking after you would be entirely normal and suggests that he is missing you.

I don’t think you should be painting him as obsessive if that really isn’t the case. You say he caused you to be paranoid - why was that I wonder? Was he a flirt, did he play mind games, was he controlling?

Isn’t the truth that you are having second thoughts and are missing the attention or the excitement (however unhealthy) that a difficult relationship can provide?

Is this, as you colleague hinted to you possibly a case of “I don’t want you but nobody else can have you”?

If you are miserable and want him back then just tell him but don’t play games with the poor guy if he is really upset about the break-up and you just want validation that you are attractive (or whatever).

If you didn’t enjoy being in the relationship then let him go and find someone better suited. After all if he was a constant headache and made you paranoid then that’s not really a relationship destined to last is it?

Q: What should I do when my boyfriend tells me 'he's a better professional than me'?

I’m more into research and am starting a PhD at a top university this autumn, while my boyfriend has 1 year more working experience. At the moment we work at the same company, and spend a lot of time working together on hobby projects. I never thought he saw it this way: I assumed we’re equal so don’t know what to do.

A: I’d say your boyfriend is jealous that you are going to a top university and, I assume, will leave better qualified than he is.

This is a really childish response and in your shoes I would be asking myself why I was still with him - unless he was joking, which by the sound of it he wasn’t.

If he’s jealous before you even start your course it doesn’t bode well does it?

Q: A girl used to like me but now she acts as if I don't even exist; she changed quite suddenly. Should I have any hope that she still likes me?

She is mean to me in such a way that even makes me have nightmares, but I like her nonetheless. Is there anything wrong with me, with her, or both of us? Why does she seem to show romantic interest in such an aggressive manner?

A: Because she is not really showing romantic interest. It seems her feelings have changed or she has serious issues and enjoys getting her attention by being nasty to others.

And since she is giving you nightmares I wonder why you are even giving her the time of day.

Stand up for yourself and if you really want her around tell her that this behaviour is unacceptable and if she doesn’t wise up then she can find someone else to be mean to.

Q: How can I marry my girlfriend if I can't afford it? How can I get over this?

A: I suspect you can afford to get married but you can’t afford a big splashy wedding. Is this what your girlfriend is pushing for?

People have budget weddings all the time that are equally as meaningful and beautiful as the big extravaganzas.

In any case a big splashy wedding does not ensure that the marriage will last. I think you are focusing on completely the wrong thing here.

Can’t you find somewhere pretty for a simply ceremony and then a quiet meal for a few close friends and family?

Or are you actually getting cold feet and using this as an excuse for getting out of it.

Either way, you need to discuss this with your girlfriend and be honest. If the wedding means more to her than the fact that she is marrying you, I think there’s a bit of talking to be done.

Q: Is it my fault if a girl goes into depression after I refused to go out with her?

A girl asked me out, said she had a crush on me for a long time. I didn’t feel the same for her, so I politely refused stating the reason. She didn’t say anything further and went home. Two months later I found out she’s in severe depression; was admitted in hospital. Was that my fault? I feel bad.

A: No it wasn’t your fault. Depression is an illness which has many triggers and if it wasn’t you turning her down it may well have been something else.

She was admitted a whole two months after your rejection in which anything could have happened.

Don’t feel bad and if you are concerned and you see her ask how she is but I wouldn’t raise her hopes again.

How would you have responded to these questions? I'd love to know. You can find more advice on my problem page 

Disclaimer: All materials included in this post are intended for informational purposes only. This post/information is not intended to and should not be used to replace medical or psychiatric advice offered by physicians or other health care providers. The author will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary or other damages arising therefrom. 

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The Importance Of Pursuing Your Hobbies As A Mum

When you become a mother, all selfishness tends to fly out of the window. Overnight, your responsibilities for your own happiness pales in comparison to your responsibility for another human life. When you have someone completely dependent on you, not just for survival, but for happiness and prosperity, taking time for yourself can be at the bottom of your list of priorities. But is that actually healthy?

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According to a study, the average mum gets only 17 minutes of “me” time a day. 17 minutes?! What can you even do with that? A quick trip to the loo and slurp down a cup of lukewarm coffee, all the while waiting with half an ear for the baby monitor to start squawking? It isn’t good for us to lose sight of ourselves. Our lives obviously revolve around our families, but we need to be able to pursue who we are as well, without feeling overwhelming guilt at the “selfishness”. So here’s a bit of a guide for striking this compromise: for having time for you to pursue your hobbies, while still being the best mummy you can be.

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Give yourself space

When time to yourself is so elusive, you need to be able to make a space for yourself in the world. Typically, as mothers, we give over our world to our children. That means every corner of our homes become theirs, and we realise a few months down the line that we have nowhere to go to call our own. 

Men often carve this personal space out in the garage, cellar, or garden shed, but it’s harder for us mums. They have a place they can go to escape, away from the screaming, shouting, and excitement of the home. But mums need this space too. Even if it’s just a bathroom which isn’t overflowing with bath toys and No More Tears. A bathroom in which we can slip down and soak in the tub with candles, salts, and soft music, and not have to worry about the children, just for half an hour. But, what is optimal, is a space in which you can carry out your favourite hobbies. Whether it’s a music room in which you can sing and play the violin, a sewing room, or a room for painting and practicing yoga. 

Having this space to which you can escape is essential, but being able to undertake these hobbies keeps that part of you alive. When your children are born, it’s easy to give everything over to them, but it’s essential to keep that part of yourself alive. So if you can set up your easel in your bedroom, that’s great, but if you can spare a whole room, garden shed, or garage space for your hobby, that’s even better.

Give yourself time

As mentioned previously, women with young families, on average, only get 17 minutes alone to themselves in a day. That is hardly time to do anything, and woman quickly fall out of love with themselves. 

With young children, sleep can be elusive, so relaxation must be sought in other ways. Without it, it’s easy to become frayed, overwhelmed, and exhausted. When your children are very young, is it possible to arrange for childcare with your parents, partner, or a friend to allow you some time to yourself between feeds? Even if it’s just an hour for a nap, a bath, or a walk in the fresh air, it will do anyone the world of good. But once they start to get a bit older, they’re in school, or they can occupy themselves for a while longer, it becomes easier to take a moment for yourself. 

When you don’t need to be on feeding duty every hour, it’s easy to go out for a few hours and leave them in someone else’s care, and this is the perfect time to start rekindling interests you held previously. 

Were you an avid horse rider, a competent musician, or a lover of badminton? Did you have to give all those up because you simply didn’t have the time or energy when you had young children? As soon as you feel comfortable leaving them for a while longer as they get older, take this time to go back to your hobbies. 

This time is essential for your own mental health. It allows you to be you, the person your partner fell in love with, rather than just a mother to beautiful children. It gives you time to be yourself again, and let your hair down. This time, for any mother, is the best gift you can give yourself. 

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Take a class

Sometimes, motivating yourself to leave the house, put down the chores, and say goodbye to the kids for a couple of hours to go to the gym, go for a cycle, or play a sport can be difficult. It can feel selfish and self-indulgent, but also like a waste of time or money. 

For the same reason we are encouraged to take antenatal classes, we are encouraged to take hobby classes in adulthood. It is essential that we surround ourselves with like-minded people, support, and fun. These people become our support network, but they also become our friends. Because, chances are, if you can’t get out to do you hobbies, you probably don’t have must time for friends either. So enjoying a class or a club, just once a week, gives you a huge boost in your socialising, and you learn a new skill as a bonus. 

So whether it’s going back to your horseriding lessons from before your pregnancy, or you’re going to give beginner singing lessons a go, surrounding yourself with support and laughter is essential. And it isn’t like taking up your new hobby is going to seriously detract from your children - it’s only an hour or so in class each week, and a few hours practising at home if you’re lucky. Just don’t be tempted to bring your kids along while you’re in your class - not only will everyone else probably not appreciate it as much as you, the whole point is that you’re supposed to be away from them, and developing yourself, not them.

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Don’t bite off more than you can chew

Once your child is weaned, and no longer attached to you, it can be tempting to try to make the most of your new-found freedom. After all, you’ve got a taste for it now, and it might be addictive. But you want your hobbies to become long-term enjoyment, not just a fleeting thing, so they need to be sustainable. 

Don’t decide that all of a sudden you will dedicate all day every Saturday to your new floristry course, with badminton on Wednesdays and trumpet classes on Thursdays, because you’ll soon realise that you miss your kids, it costs a lot, and the laundry is just piling up. Start slowly with just one hobby. 

A gentle change in your routine is far easier for you to get used to than a huge overhaul. A class one evening a week, even after the kids have gone to bed, could be the perfect first step into this, and it won’t even detract from the time you get to spend with your family.

Find a hobby buddy

Have you ever started a hobby, only to give it up within a month or two though a lack of motivation? We’re all guilty of it! Which is why taking a hobby buddy along with you is the perfect way to motivate each other. 

If you have someone in a similar boat, perhaps a new mum with similar interests to you from your antenatal classes, you share concerns, but you will also share the desire to spend the time to yourselves. This is perfect for motivation. 

When you’re feeling like it’s a slog getting to your class or your club, and you’d prefer a night in front of the telly, your desire not to let down your hobby buddy will prevail. You’ll want to get out there and help them, as much as you want to help yourself. So be sure to put the feelers out among your friends and see if you share any hobbies, and can find a time to explore these together.

With starting a hobby, getting out, and enjoying time away from your family, it’s important not to rush it. Many new mums feel the desire to return to their pre-pregnant self before they’re fully comfortable with the change. You might give it a few goes, only to keep giving up. And that’s okay.

Sometimes, you’re just not ready to be away from your family, or you might be far too tired to actually enjoy any extracurricular activities. The key is not to give up giving up. If one activity doesn’t work for you, wait a while and try something new. Exploring hobbies is a bit part of maintaining a sense of self when your life becomes so selfless, so keep on trying. And if you’re worried about leaving the kids at home, find hobbies they can get involved in too.

Are you a mum with some great hobbies? How do you juggle the two, and what do your family and partner do to support you?

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Win A Pair of Funky Wolky Shoes From Their Blazer Collection

Now summer is almost here I have to put my trusty Uggs away and wear something a little more, well, summery.

Not being able to do the school run on foot wearing heels, I need something durable, comfortable and anything but dull.

Luckily Wolky Shoes meet the bill.  A new brand to me, they specialise in the kind of funky footwear that you can't fail to notice.

Wolkyshop has been making shoes since the early 80's and are designed by a Dutch designer, Charles Bergmans. Their shoes are sold through the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, France and the United Kingdom, where we have our first shop in Brighton.

Wolkyshop sent me a pair of their Dusky boots from their new BLAZER collection to try.

Dusky comes in a 5 colourways (mine are grey printed suede) from size 35 to 42. The boot has a thick sole which is extremely comfortable and is fully leather lined and adjusted with laces.  The wedge heel gives you a little extra height whilst still being comfortable to walk on.

The reason these boots are so comfy is because they have, like all Wolky shoes, an anatomically formed footbed.

I found my Dusky boots incredibly comfortable and the size 42 (UK size 8) generous. Wolkyshop do not do half sizes and when I asked whether I could try the smaller size, Sam in the Brighton shop sent me out a size 41 to compare the same day - together with a free returns label to send the ones I didn't want back.  How's that for service!

As it was, the bigger size was the best for me.  I wish I had smaller feet!  And, should you have the problem of odd sized feet with two different sizes, Wolkyshop have their Odd Sized Shoe Programme.

Rather than having to buy 2 pairs of the same shoe style, for an extra £22.99 Wolkyshop will custom make you  a pair of shoes from the same piece of leather.  This only applies to certain styles so you have to check the website to see which ones are available.

The Giveaway

I can see my Wolky Shoes becoming a permanent part of my comfy shoe wardrobe, along with my Uggs and FitFlops.

You can find out more at www.wolkyshop.co.uk.

I have one pair of Wolky Shoes from the Blazer collection to give away to one lucky winner.  The Blazer collection has five styles - four sandals and one boot - to choose from.

Entry is via the Rafflecopter widget and the giveway ends at 11:59 pm on Saturday 24th June.  UK entrants only and the usual terms and conditions apply which can be viewed on my competitions page.

Please make sure you complete ALL the mandatory entries, including following Wolkyshop on Facebook and Twitter.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!

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Pocket Money Problems

With so many bills to pay for, it can be a challenge to fund your kids. After all, they always want new toys and tech to add to their collection. And they are always asking for money to be able to go out with their friends. But you might struggle to afford to give them their pocket money. 

Here are some ways you can still ensure your little ones do get pocket money.



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Try some freelance work

You might struggle to afford pocket money when you have so many things to pay out for. After all, household bills can soon add up. And it can leave you little money to give to your kids for pocket money. Therefore, to help you raise the funds, you might want to do some extra work. After all, doing some freelance work can ensure your kids have a tidy sum to spend in their life. 

In fact, you can look online for some work you can fit around your main job to help support your kids. For example, filling out surveys can help you to earn some extra cash from the comfort of your home. And you might even want to start a blog. After all, if you manage to build your audience, you can get sponsored posts which will earn you some money from your blog!

Sell their old items

With new gadgets making an appearance every couple of months, it’s no surprise kids are always wanting to upgrade their devices. After all, kids as young as 11 have a mobile these days. And constantly updating them means they have old items which just end up sitting in a drawer. 

But if you want to raise funds for their pocket money, you should consider selling these old items. After all, if they have a mobile or a tablet which is still in good nick, you might be able to get a few hundred for the item. And even if it’s broken, there are some sites out there like On Recycle who will give you money for the item. 

That way, you can put it in your child’s pocket money pot. And you could always try and find a buyer online. After all, there are lots of parents out there who will be willing to splash the cash for the item!

Look at small jobs for them

Of course, your child might be too young to go and find a part-time job to help earn their pocket money! But there are some small opportunities which will help them raise some money for their pocket money funds. 

For example, going to water next door’s plants could help them pocket a few extra coins every week. Or even walking an elderly neighbour’s dog could help them to earn some extra money. Even feeding the pooch or cat while the neighbour is away could be a good opportunity for them. And they might want to do some form of a bake sale or even a lemonade stand to earn some money. 

After all, it can teach them leadership and responsibility while earning them some money at the same time.



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And be careful not to give them too much pocket money. Average kids in the UK get £6.55 a week which can be a lot for a family to afford!

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Here's What You Need For Healthier Skin, Hair & Nails

The health of our hair, skin and nails is extremely important as these are a reflection of the natural balance within our bodies - a barometer of our health.

You can always tell someone who is less than healthy.  Their hair is lank, their skin is dull or spotty and their nails are discoloured, ridged or broken.

For great skin, hair and nails, we need to eat foods that are rich in antioxidants, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, B vitamins, water, healthy fats, and naturally low in sugar. These foods will enhance our blood flow, reduce inflammation, and aid in healthy blood sugar levels.

We all know that sugary foods do little for the overall health of our bodies but a diet too full of the sweet stuff can take its toll on our hair, skin and nails.

Did you know for example that too much sugar can affect your collagen -important for my age group and especially so for mine (50+).  Collagen and elastin are the protein fibres that keep skin firm and elastic.  Besides damaging collagen, a high sugar diet affects the type of collagen you have - and how prone you are to wrinkling.

Whilst we should all be trying to retain our natural good looks with a vitamin and nutrient rich diet, life tends to get in the way and we end up indulging in high fat, high salt takeaways or, my particular vices tea and coffee.

So as well as eating a vitamin rich diet, we should make sure that we have sufficient amounts of the following vitamins and minerals which have a particular benefit for glowing skin, strong nails and glossy hair.

These include Riboflavin (vit.B2), Niacin (vit. B3) and biotin which contribute to the maintenance of normal skin, and the minerals selenium and zinc which contribute to the maintenance of normal hair and nails.

Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)

This water-soluble vitamin helps the body to use the other B-vitamins, all of which assist with helping our body use energy from food and may also help protect cells from oxidative damage.

If you are deficient in this vitamin, you may have symptoms such as cracks at the corners of the mouth, sore throat, hypersensitivity to light and migraine headaches.

A deficiency in riboflavin also effects the formation of collagen, needed to maintain healthy skin.

You can find vitamin B2 in meats such as beef and lamb, milk and yoghurt, mushrooms, spinach, almonds and eggs.

Niacin (vitamin B3)

Niacin, also known as vitamin B3, is a water-soluble vitamin that is a part of the coenzymes that assist with energy metabolism.

If you consume a diet of mostly processed and sugary foods, processed grains, white bread, white flour, wheat products and corn syrup you risk becoming deficient in this vitamin.

 A niacin deficiency will lead to symptoms such as diarrhea, dementia, dermatitis, poor concentration, anxiety and depression.

Good sources of Niacin include turkey, chicken breast, peanuts, mushrooms, liver, tuna, sunflower seeds and avocado.

Biotin

Biotin (or vitamin H) is one of the B complex vitamins that help the body convert food into energy.

B vitamins, and particularly biotin, help keep your skin, hair, eyes, liver, and nervous system healthy and it's also a important nutrient during pregnancy as it aids the growth of your baby.

Generally we can get the biotin we need from eating a healthy diet, but there are now claims that getting more biotin can regulate your blood sugar, promote healthy hair, skin and nails, and help pregnant mums have healthier babies.

Biotin deficiencies are rare but symptoms include hair loss or a scaly red rash, anemia and fungal infections.

Good sources of Biotin include seafood, meat, whole wheat bread, eggs, dairy products and soya.

Selenium

Selenium is an essential trace mineral important for cognitive function, a healthy immune system and fertility for both men and women. 

Selenium works in close conjunction with vitamin E as an antioxidant to prevent the formation of free radicals and in turn, may reduce the risk of skin cancer and prevent sunburn.

Selenium is found in a variety of foods, the richest sources being Brazil nuts, seafood and organ meats.

Zinc

Zinc is another essential trace element and it is needed in small amounts every day to maintain our health.  For example, zinc helps with hormone production, growth and repair, improves immunity and aids digestion.

Although it is actually present within all bodily tissue, if you don't have enough zinc in your diet you may find you are frequently falling ill, feeling constantly tired with poor concentration and wounds that take ages to heal.

Zinc has numerous benefits for your skin, particularly if you are prone to acne or spots which may actually be a sign of a zinc deficiency.

Other signs that you are deficient in this trace element include white spots on your fingernails, dry skin, frequent colds, hair loss, diarrhea and low sex drive.

Good sources of zinc include spinach, beef, kidney beans, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds and oysters.

But when you're pushed for time, it isn't always easy to make the best food choices and what if you are don't eat meat, dairy or are wheat intolerant?  

A supplement such as Perfectil Original for Skin, Hair & Nails by Vitabiotics may be the answer as will swopping some of your usual food choices for the foods listed above. For example, swopping your sugary breakfast cereal for a healthy oaty porridge, adding extra green veggies, particularly broccoli and eating more fish such as salmon and mackerel.

If, though, you are finding you have problems with your hair, skins and nails you should see your GP to get a medical check up. For example, problems with the thyroid gland may lead to hair thinning or hair loss and dry skin.

You should also look at your lifestyle in general and make sure you are taking adequate steps to manage your stress and get enough sleep.

Meditation and the practice of Mindfulness are two easy, free ways to take control of unruly thoughts and to stay calm and centered.

*pr collaboration

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How Has Your Kitchen Changed Through The Decades? Prestige know.

I always think that the kitchen is the heart of the home and, if you're lucky, you have enough room in yours for a table to eat at.

The Husband's curry night - unheard of when I was growing up

It seems, however, that fewer families are eating together or even sitting down to three regular meals a day.  We are becoming a nation of grazers - and that's a shame because if we don't sit down to eat together we lose more than just the chance of a decent meal.

We miss conversation, sharing and the chance to bond and grow together as a family.

Back in April 2015, a study commissioned by Highland Spring into family life discovered that 25% of parents spent just 34 minutes with their kids each day. Six in ten parents said they struggled to get the whole family together and just four meals a week were eaten as a group.  And usually, the kids can't wait to get back to their gadgets these days, can they?

Caitlin helping me bake a cake earlier this year

Not only that, but despite the huge numbers of TV cookery shows, we are cooking less too.  It's all too easy to rely on the popty ping (microwave) as we call it here in Wales.

A study by market research institute GFK in the same year asked more than 27,000 people between the ages of 15 and 60 (from 22 countries) about their home cooking habits. Whilst India was the nation creating the most meals from scratch spending over 13 hours per week cooking, we Brits managed a below average 5.9 hours a week in the kitchen.

Cooking certainly seemed to play a much more important role in family life in previous decades. Our kitchen has always been my mother's domain and as a child of the 60's I grew up on casseroles, pilafs, kedgerees and desserts like Symington's Table Creams, Creme Caramel, Angel Delight, Instant Whip and Dream Topping (all healthy stuff!).

Cheesecakes used to be made with a McVities Digestive Biscuit base, about a foot of Philadelphia Cream Cheese and a tin of black cherries poured on top.

Kitchens very much reflect the trends in cooking don't they?  Nobody had heard of a spiraliser back in the 70's and courgettes were strange relatives of the cucumber to be sliced, covered in salt and olive oil and fried.  The same with tagines or those enormous Parmesan graters - unknown in the majority of British households.  And, as Peter Kay once said "Garlic bread? It's the future.  I've tasted it!"

Prestige have prepared their own homage to the changing face of the nation's kitchens with a fun interactive timeline which revisits the kitchens of decades gone by. You'll see when key innovations such as the microwave or pressure cooker made their first appearance. The timeline can be viewed here http://kitchensthroughthedecades.prestige.co.uk/.

Take a look and take yourself back down memory lane (even my favourite Pot Noodles make an appearance).

Then, why not commit to a family midweek dinner.  Get your Prestige cookware or bakeware out and relive some of your past food favourites.

A look back at Kitchen Design by Decade has been produced by Prestige.

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Win A Pair Of Eyejusters - Reading Glasses With Adjustable Strength

Being both a glasses and a contact lens wearer brings a unique set of challenges when you need a varifocal lens.

To date, there seem to be no varifocal toric lenses to meet my prescription on the market which means that if I wear my contact lenses I still need reading glasses for close work.

Olive & Cream Multilayer Eyejusters

Which rather negates the point of having contact lenses in the first place.

Still, despite this bugbear, I am assured that a varifocal lens to meet my needs is coming so I just have to soldier on with my cheap pair of shop bought readers which will allow me to do useful things like read labels on the back of tins and menus in restaurants.

Each pair of these has a fixed strength which means that I may still occasionally struggle to read things in small print and, of course, if my prescription changes, I have to buy a new pair of reading glasses.

Eyejusters, on the other hand, are British invented and manufactured adjustable reading glasses that allow you to change the focal strength of your reading glasses by adjusting two little black dials either side of the lenses.

Discretely placed, by simply twiddling them together you slide back a kind of inner lens which alters the strength of your lenses with a certain tolerance - this is known as Slidelens Tech.

Because your vision in each eye varies, Eyejusters can be adjusted to suit each eye separately.  And you can't see the little black dials from most angles either.

They are great for people who need to see the small stuff, for example when doing DIY or computing, hobbies like jewellery making and sewing or reading your mobile device. They would make a great Father's Day present too as you don't need to know the wearer's prescription.

I was surprised to find that I could alter mine to not only see my PC screen close up but I could almost adjust them to my distance prescription - that is to say matching the prescription of the contact lenses I wear.

They are not, it must be said, a substitute for a proper optical examination and properly prescribed lenses, particularly for driving but they are a definite step up from the cheap and cheeful reading glasses you can buy over the counter in a number of shops these days.

Available on line, Eyejusters are unisex and there's 17 different styles and colours to choose from. They are priced at either £69 or £79 but they should last a lot longer than my over the counter readers because they will last through more than one or two minor prescription changes.  They are suitable for someone who requires a positive prescription up to 3 dioptres.

They also come with a money back guarantee.  Try them at home for 30 days and if you don't love them simply send them back. There's free delivery and free returns.

The frames are sturdy and pleasantly coloured (mine are olive and cream) and they come in a a strong grey case with a cleaning cloth.  I was impressed to discover that the lenses have an anti-scratch coating which often attracts an additional charge from an optician.

The only downside is that because there is a kind of double lens, I did look a little 'Joe 90' (retro reference there) but if it means I can choose my own restaurant food without having to hiss 'I can't read this' at the husband then I really don't mind.

The frame, being plastic, is heavier to wear than the cheaper readers but still quite comfortable. 

If you would like to try a pair for yourself. I have one pair of your choice to give away.

Entry is via the Rafflecopter widget below and the giveaway ends at 11:59 pm on Sunday 18th June. Terms and conditions apply which are to be found on my competitions page. UK entrants only.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!

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Review: Zookiez & Wobbleez - Soft & Cute Play Pets With A Twist

Lots of Caitlin's and Ieuan's friends have pets and, loving mother that I am, I have discovered a fuss free solution that involves no vets bills.

Zookiez and Wobbleez from Sinco Toys are two ranges of plush, cuddly toy animals which will delight anyone from age 3 to 103.



Zookiez are toy pets which can be slapped on to your wrist and they will hold on tight with their furry paws.  Because their paws will grip, they can be carried about on your arm or even attached to a backpack or school bag.

There are 6 Zookiez to collect, 2 cats, 2 dogs, a bear and, Ieuan's new friend, a panda.

Panda is lovely and soft and retails around the £10 mark.

Wobbleez is a range of pets who magically walk when you pull their lead - all without batteries. There's 3 to collect, a Golden Retriever, a Dalmation and a Shepherd Dog.



They have specially adapted paws which rock gently when you pull the toy along giving the illusion that your pet is walking.  You do have to pull gently though - if you pull too hard, your wobbleez will fall over.

We have not taken our Wobbleez dog outside as he is clearly designed for indoor use.

Again, this was a good quality toy with a very plush feel and Caitlin has named hers Apricot.  Ieuan being Ieuan has named his panda, Panda.  Wobbleez retail around the £20 mark.

The dog's lead comes in three parts which you simply clip together and attach to a loop already round the neck of the toy.  It clips on quite securely and even with quite some tugging didn't come off when we got the dog walking.

Wobbleez are recommended for the 3's and over up to about 10 although I found them pretty cute myself.

Here's the last word from Caitlin.

You can find Zookiez and Wobbleez at major toy stockists including Smyths.

*PR samples were sent for the purpose of this post.

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New Releases, Free & Bargain Books Link-up Week 21 2017

How are you all this week?  We're off on our hols in just one week and the year seems to be flying by. Luckily the weather is perking up, although that means an added 10 minutes every morning to slather the kids in sun cream.

If you're more an e-book than a printed book type of person then I have a fabulous giveaway currently running to win an adult and a child's Amazon Fire Tablet HD.  You can enter here.

Hopefully you've caught up with my review of In Doubt by the incomparable John W. Mefford. This is an Ivy Nash thriller, a new detective for me and in this one, Ivy must protect a little girl from a wealthy egomaniac hell-bent on revenge. You can read my review here.

As usual, there are plenty more great books on the linky - and don't forget you can always add your own to spread a bit of the book love.

Don't forget that I still have plenty to be won on my competitions page and don't forget my problem page here.

Happy bargain and freebie book hunting on this link.

Have a great week!

Sharing the Love of Books
Enjoy our selection of New Releases / Free & Bargain Books this week

Authors please feel free to add your own books
Readers please free to add your own finds
(any genre except erotica welcome)

This weekly link up is hosted by Beck Valley Books & these awesome book loving blogs...
Monday
 Life as Leels | IrishdaisylovesRomance | Book Babble | All Romance Reader
Tuesday
It's My Side of Life | Celticlady's Reviews | First Time Mommy Adventures 
Wednesday
Beck Valley Books | Cinnamon Hollow Reviews
Thursday
Miki's Hope | Nicki's Nook
Friday
Ebook Addicts | I Love Romance | Colorimetry | The Ultimate Fan Blog | Mother Distracted
Saturday
Totally Addicted to Reading | 3 Partners in Shopping | Angie's Angle | I Create Purty Thangs | Wishful Endings
Sunday
Lynchburg Mama | LibriAmoriMiei | Ali - The Dragon Slayer | Wondermom Wannabe | Deal Sharing Aunt | Rambling Reviews 

For Pre-orders post - PRE-ORDER / genre / title /author

For New Releases post - NEW / genre / title / author

For Free Books post - FREE / genre / title / author / end date 

For Bargain Books post - SALE / price / genre / title / author / end date
(Strictly no Erotica please.  Steamy romance is fine but watch those covers people, incase any underage child is viewing it!)

Click here for this weeks awesome selection!

*this post contains an affiliate link

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FREE - The Ultimate Guide To Revision From Tutora.co.uk

No matter what age you are, or at what stage in your academic career, exams are a fact of life - and can be one of the most stressful times to get through.

Everyone has their own way of dealing with revision and the accompanying pressure but sometimes it's all too easy to succumb to panic or to leave your exam preparation to the very last minute.

Tutora.co.uk, the online platform which allows students and parents to connect directly with talented and trusted tutors, has published The Ultimate Guide To Revision.

Free to download or read online, the Guide contains 9 chapters containing a wealth of expert advice, tips and how-to's.

The chapters are:-

1. How to start revision
2. How to create a revision timetable
3. How to create the perfect study space
4. Revision techniques
5. How to be productive during revision
6. How to make the most of your study leave
7. Exam tuition
8. How to deal with exam stress
9. Exam day

As a mum of two school-aged kids and having been an English Tutor myself, I am proud to have contributed some of the advice readers of my blog have already discovered when it comes to the joys of studying and exam-taking!

The Guide contains a wealth of expert advice from contributors such as:-

*Bradley Busch, Psychologist and Director at InnerDrive.
*Scott Woodley, Co-founder of Tutora.
*Dan Lever, Managing Director at StudentHut.
*Lucy Parsons, Academic Coach at Life More Extraordinary
*Keith Clifford, Marketing and Content Director, Revision World Networks Ltd.
*Eleni Cashell, editor of Whatuni.com.
*Matt Jones, Education Officer at Tutora.
*Sophie Coulthard, Associate Director of Judgement Index.
*Giorgio Cassella, Marketing Manager at Tutora.

In short, it's a fabulous free resource I suggest you check out as soon as possible now that we are well and truly in exam season.

You can find the guide on this link:-  https://tutora.co.uk/guides/the-ultimate-revision-guide.

Please share with anyone you know who is studying and parents will find this a useful guide to coach and encourage their kids.

If you have any questions either relating to the Guide or about revision in general, pop a comment below and I'll make sure the relevant expert answers your question.

And if you found the guide useful, be sure to let me know.

Good luck with your exams!

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Problem Page Edition 20 2017

This week - whether it's a good sign if they text straight after your date, what to do when your affair goes toxic, and whether older women are ignored.

If you would like any advice, feel free to treat me as your agony aunt. Just message me or pop a comment in the comment box at the end of this post. I promise to be gentle.

Here are this week's questions.

Q: As a 22-year-old female, how do I attract a 30-year-old single male?

A guy I work with stares at me a lot but when I catch him staring he quickly looks away. He hasn't made a move, although he knows that recently broke up with my boyfriend. He teases me to see if I've got back with him and when I say no he grins! Other times he completely ignores me.

A: All you can do is test him out by asking if he fancies a coffee or a drink and gauge his reaction.

Either he wants to ask you out and hasn’t got the nerve, or he just enjoys teasing you.

Putting him on the spot and asking him for a date will sort this one way or another.

I have to say it doesn’t sound as if he’s particularly interested in a relationship - does he have a girlfriend or partner?

Make sure you know the answer to that one before you ask him out!

Q: I like this girl and we dated, but she is 300 km away and is obsessed with another guy. Plus for some reason she now dislikes me. What can I do?

A: I really can’t see the point in you pursuing this girl. She lives miles away and is interested in another man.

Also, when you say ‘because of something’ she dislikes you, are you sure you don’t know what you’ve done to annoy her? I suspect you do.

I would stop pursuing her because she clearly isn’t interested and, if she changes her mind and you dated, she’ll know where to find you.

Sometimes absence makes the heart grow fonder but I wouldn’t bank on it in this case.

Q: Are women attracted to guys who feel sorry for themselves and cry "poor me, life's unfair"?

A: Not really. Women are more attracted to men who focus on them rather than themselves and their own issues.

That’s not to say you won’t find a partner but if you are permanently miserable I suspect your partner will struggle.

If, though, you are suffering from depression then you need to talk to your doctor and seek advice and support so that you can get well and be better placed to find a supportive, loving relationship.

Q: How do you win your wife’s trust back when she comes to know that you were talking to someone behind her back for a month?

Things started at our office and she fell in love with me. Now is the time that we both want to move on. Things got so bad that the girl at my office wanted to commit suicide if her husband gets to know about this?

A: Oh dear. You have got yourself into a right mess, haven’t you?

Firstly I think you need to take a little responsibility. Things didn’t just start - you both flirted with one another and started a relationship. And it sounds like you have got the guilts and want to end it whilst she is using emotional blackmail to ensure that you don’t.

Why, I am wondering, will her husband get to know about this? You’re surely not going to tell him if you are concentrating on winning your wife’s trust back are you?

Which can only mean she is threatening to tell her husband if you don’t continue the relationship to force your relationship out into the open - and therefore making sure your wife knows about it.

All you can do is be completely honest with your wife and recommit to her - if you mean it.

You will just have to stand firm with this other girl. I doubt that she will do anything silly but it may be worth you having a private chat with your HR department.

If things are really difficult, unfortunately, you may have to look for another job.

Q: If a guy texts you immediately after the date is over does that mean he liked me?

A: He texted me to drive safe and thank you. Right before I left he said we should do this again. Are all of these signs that he likes me? Sorry it has been so long since I dated?

It certainly looks that way. There is a possibility that he is just being a gentleman though so try not to read too much into it at this stage.

Try not to spend the next few days attached to your phone and since it’s been a while, keep your options open too.

I would give it a week and if you haven’t heard anything perhaps text him asking him if he wants to go out again.

That will be the acid test.

I hope things work out for you.

Q: Why are older women ignored?

A: They aren’t, in my experience unless they are determined to be. Some of the most powerful women in politics are ‘older’, Theresa May, Angela Merkel, Hilary Clinton or in celeb land, Judi Dench, Helen Mirren, Charlotte Rampling, etc.

I doubt any of these women would give a fig if they were ignored and would just carry on doing their own thing.

A brilliant example of such an older women is Iris Apfel (look her up on Instagram) -she’s 90 and a fashionista.

The problem is not with women. It’s with the now vastly outdated attitude some people still have to ageing.

How would you have responded to these questions? I'd love to know. You can find more advice on my problem page 

Disclaimer: All materials included in this post are intended for informational purposes only. This post/information is not intended to and should not be used to replace medical or psychiatric advice offered by physicians or other health care providers. The author will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary or other damages arising therefrom. 

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