Top Tips on Squeezing the Most out of Strawberry Season

With strawberry season in sight, household fridges across the UK will soon be jam-packed full of Pavlovas, Eton messes and Strawberry shortcakes. 

Boasting an abundance of vitamins and antioxidants, strawberries are undeniably delicious, yet equally nutritious. 

The cherished red fruit has proven itself a key ingredient in several traditional British recipes over the years, yet few of us are aware of the humble strawberry’s versatility in the kitchen. Be it breakfast, lunch or dinner, the vibrant fruit can transform any meal from mundane to mouth-watering in minutes.

For those wishing to branch out this summer, Gary Durrant, Head Chef at Hunter 486 restaurant in London's The Arch Hotel,  has lent his top tips on how to make the most of the sweet strawberry season and create unique strawberry-centric dishes at home. 

Hot and cold

Roasting strawberries can create tremendously tasty results, particularly when paired with a generous scoop of Cornish vanilla ice-cream. 

To make the most of the oven-baked fruit, ensure the stem is sliced off, cut into quarters and then whisk together with a dash of maple syrup. 

Presentation is important with this pretty summer dessert, so let the strawberry slices cool down slightly before scattering them neatly on top of the ice cream. 

Nutella French Toast With Strawberrys credit: The Kitchen Life of a Navy Wife

Begin at breakfast

For a decadent breakfast treat, combine sliced strawberries with rhubarb pieces and spread over two thick slices of toast. 

To ensure a thorough fusion of flavours, press the fruit gently into the bread then chill in the fridge overnight. 

Fry your bread slices the following morning in a frying pan with plenty of butter. Feel free to add dashes of cinnamon and brown sugar too. Serve with a generous helping of Greek yogurt. 

Preparation is key with this dish but it’s worth the fuss!

Scoop it out

Strawberry cheesecake is a well-loved classic and a popular party pudding for any occasion. Why not re-invent the traditional recipe and try a new dinner party dessert? 

Simply scoop out the centre of the strawberry and fill it with a cheesecake filling. The classic combination of cream cheese, sugar, eggs and vanilla extract will hold perfectly inside the fruit when served fresh out of the fridge. For extra wow-factor, serve with a cinnamon glaze. 

Alternatively, if it’s a romantic snack you’re after then swap the glaze for a white chocolate dipping sauce. 

Strawberry Kulfi - Image Credit Kalaiselvi Murugesan

Fruity refreshment

As the weather warms up, homemade strawberry ice-lollies are a refreshing sunbathing snack. 

Simply combine crushed strawberries with a spoonful of sugar before mixing into a cold jug of lemonade. Pour the liquid into ice-lolly moulds and place a wooden stick in the centre. 

Alternatively, simply add strawberry slices to your ice cube tray and freeze overnight, a trick that will transform your summer beverage from simple to spectacular in a split second. 

You could also try a refreshing strawberry kulfi lolly.

Image credit: Corey Harmon

Seasonal summer salad

Contrary to popular belief, strawberries are not strictly reserved for the sweet-toothed. Inject a zing into your leafy summer salad by adding balsamic glazed strawberries into the mix. Gorgonzola cheese and pecan nuts both work particularly well with this dish. 

I don't know about you but I'd love to try all of these!

Further information: The Arch London, 50 Great Cumberland Place, Marble Arch, London W1H 7FD. For reservations, please call: 020 7724 4700 or www.thearchlondon.com 

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Five reasons why city breaks make great family holidays

Many families stay away from the idea of a city break, thinking that they’ll be too overwhelming for the kids, or that there simply won’t be enough to do, but this is far from the case. 

City holidays provide a completely different experience to a beach or activity holiday, and it’s one that no member of the family should miss out on. 

Here are just a few reasons why you should consider it the next time you come to book your family getaway… 

Image credit

Experiencing different cultures 

Let’s not forget that your main reason for going abroad is to experience a new culture, sample local delicacies, and try to learn a little of the lingo. This is amplified when you visit a city; you might meet a few locals on a beach holiday, but it mainly caters to tourists. When you visit a city, who knows what museum you might stumble upon, people you might meet or recipes you might try. It’s a far more fluid experience, perfect for adventurers.

Making education fun

Speaking of trying new cultures, let’s not forget that opting for a city break opens up a whole new world for your children, and it’s your chance to show them a little more of the wide world they’re yet to experience. Taking them to a museum in London, an opera in Rome or a modern art exhibition in Vienna is a great way of helping them to learn in a fun and engaging way. 

The Trevi Fountain in Rome

Location is important

From a practical perspective, booking a city break often enables you to pack more into your stay, simply because of the location. Most attractions will be in walking distance of one another, making things a lot easier when it comes to day-trip planning. Plus, because of the nature of a city, you’ll easily find restaurants and cafes for you to stop and grab a bite to eat, which isn’t the case with remote resorts.

Transportations systems save you money

Speaking of proximity, transport systems are often far better in cities than they are further out towards quiet coastal regions. Not only does this save you money in taxis every time you want to go somewhere, but it means you can book certain journeys (such as those on trains and coaches) well in advance of your trip to get the best rates. 

Image credit: Bicycles in Amsterdam.  

Cities to suit all budgets

While it might be true that cities will cost more than sleepy little towns, they won’t be that much more than port or coastal areas close to the sea, where land is at a premium. Plus, you aren’t confined to activities by the coast that will could be expensive, such as water sports. Many museums, galleries, parks and so on are cheap if not free, so you’ll be able to find plenty to do within your price bracket.

Are you heading on a city break this summer? Let me know where in the comments…

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10 Ways To Teach Your Kids About Finance

There are a variety of important things that parents need to be able to teach their children. One of these things is how to deal with finances and look after their money. After all, the last thing you will want for them when they are adults is to find themselves struggling to manage their debt and seeking debt help and advice. 

Image credit: Ken Teegardin

The trouble is, so many parents simply do not know where to start when it comes to teaching your kids about finance. So, to help, we have put together 10 ways that you can teach your children about finance, for their future.

Show them that money doesn’t grow on trees

A common phrase is that money doesn’t grow on trees. Something that as an adult, we are only too aware of. However, chances are that our children simply don’t understand this concept, that money is not infinite and plucked out of the air. A great way to show that money doesn’t come from nowhere is to show your children how you withdraw money from a cash machine, teaching them that this money has come out of your bank account rather than from nowhere.

How to budget

It is important that your child learns how to budget. They will need to think about how they cannot afford two larger toys and choose which one that they would prefer to buy. Set an example for them by telling them about the different things that you would love to buy and why you can’t go out and buy each and every one.

Not to rush out and spend their money

Children are not particularly patient by their very nature. If they receive money, then chances are that they will want to rush out and buy that toy that they have always had their eye on. Instead, they should try to approach any purchases, particularly those that are larger, with patience. A great way to show them that you take a careful approach to your spending is to show them that you are thinking about a bigger purchase. Shop around with them, ask them to help you to compare the different deals that are out there.

Teach them that saving is cool

Saving can sometimes get a bad rap, especially when compared to spending. It is a good idea to teach your child that it is cool to be a saver. Especially when saving gives you a reward such as the ability to buy something nice for yourself. A simple way to do this is to have a savings jar that you as a family pay into. Show your child how the money builds up over time, and let them know when you are using that money, such as for a holiday or a new TV.

Help them to keep track of their money

Being able to monitor your spending habits is an incredibly useful skill to have in later life, and this is something that you can encourage right from childhood. If your child receives pocket money on a weekly or monthly basis, why not encourage them to make a chart? This could contain the pocket money that they receive each time, as well as what they spend it on. That way, they can keep an eye on where their money is going.

Get them to write a wish list of things that they want to buy

Having something in mind is a great way to achieve a goal. This is particularly true when it comes to saving. If your child is struggling with the concept of putting away their money, then why not ask them to create a wish list of things that they want to buy? You can write down how much these things are going to cost, as well as how many weeks pocket money that is, showing them how long it will take them to save for it. 

Image credit: Pexels

  Teach them about the importance of charity

Charity is important, no matter your generation. However, if a child doesn’t understand why charity is important, or how to donate to them, then this won’t carry on growing. Encourage your child to give a portion of their savings or pocket money to charity, not all the time, just sometimes. That way, they have some awareness of what is going on in the world around them, and how some people are not lucky to have the same money as them.

Always have some boundaries

We all love spoiling our children, there is no two ways about it, after all, we love them. But spoiling them can have a negative impact later on in life. You should try and set some boundaries on spending and what they can get, as this shows them that you are not always able to get what you want, and sometimes you simply have to wait for it.

Open them a bank account

Having a bank account is something that we all need to have later in life, so why not introduce this concept to your child from an early age. Go with them to the bank to open their own account, and encourage them to pay money into on a regular basis. This means, that when the time comes to open an adult bank account, it won’t be quite as much of a novelty for them.

Let them make their own decisions

You may be tempted to take charge when your child wants to spend out on a particular item. However, it is better to let them make their own decisions. If after a couple of days or weeks they decide that they have made a bad decision, then they will realise that they have wasted their money. This will encourage them to think more carefully about the choices that they make in the future.

We all want the best for our kid’s future, and one of the aspects to think about is their financial stability. By teaching them everything that they need to know about money, you are giving them a great start that they can build on.

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Review: The iPhone 7 Plus - Does Size Matter?

Compared to my iPhone 5s,  the iPhone 7 Plus is a beast of a phone and when I was given the opportunity to review one by Three.co.uk, I couldn't say no.

Spotted in a Devonshire garden

The biggest reason for this was that, being in the 'varifocal years',  mobile phone screen size has come to matter - A LOT.

Recently I've found myself accidentally deleting important lists from Evernote because I can't darn well see what I'm doing on the rather small iPhone 5s screen.

Cwm George, Dinas Powys

There's another reason too - I HATE using mobile phones at my ear because I hate that 'hot ear' thing and having the useful combination of Tinnitus and mild hearing loss, I either have to risk a Tinnitus spike as I invariably leave the volume up too high or I can't hear the caller on the speaker.

No such problems with the iPhone 7 Plus.  It offers brilliant (and nicely loud) speaker quality for calls - as good as any of the conference calls I had to sit in on during my marketing past.

And yes, I can see what I'm doing now, although arguably this problem could have been sorted by resorting to my iPad when out and about.

The 7 Plus is a big phone though and my question is whether the extra size of the handset would be a help or a hindrance.

Caitlin in Thurlestone Village, Devon

I already have an iPad Air and the iPhone 5s and whilst all Apple products link seamlessly together, there is a risk of duplication or even overkill.

I want something which I can carry about with me and blog on the go without going skewy eyed or having to shout.  Arguably the iPad should be enough but I recently tried the MacBook Air which offers even greater versatility and the ability to take the whole office with me if needed.

Ieuan on Thurlestone Beach, Devon

The major downside of course is the cost of Apple's products.  Top of the range they may be but that does come with a price premium which, when you're a one woman business means you have to take some hard decisions when it comes to financial outlay.

In case you aren't familiar with the iPhone 7 Plus's main features, these are:-

*Display

The iPhone 7 Plus has a 5.5-inch Retina HD display which Apple says supports a wider range of colours for cinema standard display.

The iPhone 7 Plus

*Storage

The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus come with three storage options, 32GB, 128GB and 256GB but there is no expandable storage.  The iPhone 7 is, however, 25% faster than the iPhone 6 due to the new A10 fusion chip.

*New Home Button

On this model there is force sensitive button rather than one which has to be physically pressed in.  It is similar to the Force Touch trackpads on MacBook laptops.

My current phone, the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 7 Plus

*No Headphone Jack

On this model you use the lightning port to connect your headphones.  Not a problem for me since, as a Tinnitus sufferer, I avoid headphones like the plague.  The phone does, however, have immersive stereo speakers.

*Splash and Water Resistant

An extra level of comfort this may offer but independent reviewers are still advising you to avoid your local swimming pool.

*Camera

The iPhone 7 has an upgraded camera with a f/1.8 aperture, a six element lens and a larger sensor. There is also a flash with four LEDs.  The iPhone 7 Plus has a dual camera set up with two 12-megapixel cameras.  One lens is a wide angle 28mm and the other is a telephoto 56mm lens which enables 10x optical zoom.  The front camera also has a bump to 7-megapixel FaceTime HD camera for selfies and FaceTime video calling.

*Battery Life

It has the longest ever battery life in an iPhone. Apple claims that the iPhone 7 gives at least 2 more hours of battery as compared to iPhone 6s, while the bigger iPhone 7 Plus will offer at least 1 hour more of battery life than the 6s Plus.

*Colour Options

There are five colour choices - Black, Jet Black, Silver, Gold and Rose Gold.

Of course with the iPhone 8 launch imminent, it will be interesting to see how these features adapt and change in the new model.

It looks like an upgrade for me has to be on the cards because Apple now say that iPhone 5's will not support the next version of ios - ios11. The iPhone 5s will support it but some older apps will no longer work.

I found that whilst my 5s slips easily into a pocket when I grab it for the school run, the 7 Plus was less manageable without a proper carry case.

It is also a phone that I would not be happy to take on without decent mobile phone insurance. Currently I have my secondhand 5s covered by the home insurance.  This would be an extra, but necessary cost.

The main strength of the iPhone 7 Plus, as I see it, is the camera which makes it a definite go-to phone for bloggers - particularly for those with a major focus on Instagram.  The faster processor also means that this model is very quick indeed.

Storm clouds over Barry Island Beach

I suspect I will bite the bullet (or Apple) and swop to the iPhone 7 Plus.  Big thanks too, to Three.co.uk for the loan.  I had no coverage issues at all whilst in the wilds of Devon - not even on a particularly windy Thurlestone Beach.

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Travel Inspiration: USA West Coast Wonders

Given the vastness of the United States, figuring out where you should travel to can be a long and arduous process. There’s just so much to choose from! There’s the brisk coast of the north-east states, the balmy heat of the Florida panhandle, or the charms of the deep south.

But what about west?

Sometimes, focusing your thoughts on a specific area can really help to zero in on what it is you truly want to see. The West Coast is well worth investigating for that reason; there’s everything you could possibly want here, from the heat of south California to the wild, rugged wetlands of Washington.

Of course, California is the dominant state when it comes to tourism along the west coast. It’s fair to say you probably know what’s on offer in the Golden State, which is why we’re going to skip it, and instead introduce you to areas that make the west coast special even without its most famous state.

OREGON: Portland


Source

Portland is one of those cities that many of us have heard of, but don’t truly understand. It prides itself on its alternative culture and is welcoming of anyone who cares to stay awhile - making it a perfect spot for a summer break.

You will never be short of things to do in Portland, as https://www.thecrazytourist.com/top-25-things-to-do-in-portland/ shows. If you fancy travelling outside of the city itself, around 50 miles by road will have you on the Pacific coast. You could day trip there and include a pit stop at the Tillamook Forest Center; perfect to add a little nature to your trip.

WASHINGTON: Seattle


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Seattle might not be the capital city of Washington, but it’s definitely the one that has the strongest place in pop culture and awareness. TV shows like Grey’s Anatomy and Frasier based their storylines here; it even played host to the divisive Twilight novels.

As one would expect, there’s plenty to see and do in Seattle. First and foremost, there’s the well-known Space Needle. If you’re feeling daring, you could walk along the exterior structure of this famous landmark - with a harness of course!

If the infamous Seattle weather means you would rather spend your time indoors, then there’s plenty to do here too.

OREGON: Joseph


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Joseph is a town rich with Native American history, which can provide a unique insight into the history of life on the western side. The main area itself is surrounded by more hiking trails than you could possibly tackle on a single holiday.

There’s a little something for art lovers, too. You will find sculptures by the likes of Steve Parks dotted around the town, often cast in bronze. So there’s history, art, and hiking trails to tempt you into a busy day on the hills - perfect!

WASHINGTON: Lake Chelan


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Finally, if the hiking trails of Joseph aren’t quite enough for you, the stunningly picturesque town of Lake Chelan has all the adventure sports you could possibly want. You can enjoy the lake itself with windsurfing and kayaking; which, as http://www.livestrong.com/article/81242-benefits-kayaking/ makes clear, is hugely beneficial for a variety of reasons. Alternatively, you could head for the hills to explore the trails on foot or on bicycle.

Whichever option you choose, it’s clear: the west coast has so much more to offer than California alone.

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New Releases, Free & Bargain Books Link-up Week 24 2017

How are you all this week? It's back to the grindstone for us and I'm missing the beach already. We just seem to have had torrential rain here in Dinas Powys since we returned!

Still, it's given me plenty of time to read (as if I need any excuse) and don't forget that the giveaway to win a Kindle for you and a child is still running for a couple more days. You can enter here.

My latest review is of A Flair For Drama, a Sadie Kramer mystery by Deborah Garner and it's a great cozy mystery which even includes a recipe for chocolate cake.  You can read my review here. 

Flamoyant senior sleuth Sadie attends a theatre production at the invitation of a former schoolmate, only to find herself embroiled in a murder when the show's leading lady turns up dead.

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, in case 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 23 2017

This week - when that ex gets back in touch, when he won't speak to you for a week after an argument and the lure of the 'older woman'.

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:Is it okay for my boyfriend to move to another part of the country in order to work for his ex-girlfriend, and live in her house alone with her during the project?

A: In your shoes I think alarm bells would be ringing extremely loudly. To be frank it sounds like he is off to move in with her.

What is this ‘project’ and if it’s work why does he need to share her house? I’m assuming it’s a question of money but it does sound rather odd.

Is this a permanent job or a temporary one? Does he have any other job opportunities closer to home?

Surely the cost of moving to a different part of the country might outweigh any money he’ll make from working with his ex if it’s a short term project?

I think there are lots of questions you should be asking rather than just putting up with it.

Has he said anything about commitment to your relationship? Has he reassured you that he loves you, wants to be with you and that he’ll be back?

Has he talked about how you’ll stay in touch? Daily phone calls, Skyping? Facetime

If he hasn’t said any of this then I think you need to start asking - and if you don’t get the answers you are looking for, I would tell him you are not promising to be there if he decides to return.

Q: How do you stop thinking about someone you might never see again?

A: By allowing yourself to think about them until you get bored. That doesn’t sound very helpful does it but the more you try NOT to think of something the more you will find you do. If I tell you not to think about a pink elephant, as the popular saying goes, I bet you will think about a pink elephant.

If this person is already out of your life then allow yourself a bit of time to grieve and wallow. Get it all out of your system and then gradually you may find that your memories don’t hurt quite as much and you can put them away from time to time to concentrate on happiness in the here and now.

Or you could try allocating a certain amount of time to think about them - give yourself half an hour to really wallow and then say - right - that’s enough of that and go on with your day.

I am assuming you have done what you can to keep in touch with them - social media, Skype etc but if your situation involves someone about to pass away I am really sorry.

It also sounds like you need to unburden yourself to a good friend or family member - or even a professional.

Q: I haven't heard from my boyfriend since we had an argument (a week ago). He keeps ignoring me, it hurts so bad. What should I do?

We had this “big” fight over texts (it sucks, we don't talk much on the phone), he told me to change and grow up. Then I tried to get in touch, he would almost never reply, not even to calls. Then I stopped. That was some days ago. I'm starting to think he doesn't care about me anymore.

A: I’m wondering what the argument ‘about texts’ was. Has he been receiving texts from other women? Do you insist on reading his texts?

It sounds to me as if, I’m afraid, he has something to hide. Was the relationship going well previously? Sometimes gutless partners will start a big fight as an ‘excuse’ to split up because they aren’t brave enough to be honest.

To ignore you for a week is really immature and he’s either game playing and a bit of a control freak or it sounds as if something else is going on.

I know this is not what you want to hear but your best strategy in this situation is to stop chasing because if he is interested he will be back.

If he hasn’t got in touch in another week, I think you have to assume it’s over - but at least you’ll be rid of someone who doesn’t sound very nice.

If you do have issues with jealousy though and you constantly need to check up on your partner’s behaviour then that is something you will need to work through because it will drive future partners away if you don’t keep it in check.

Q: Is it becoming more acceptable these days for men to be attracted to women older than themselves?

I’m not being funny,But in a way it’s better for men to be attracted to mature women they have more likely to have more in common with a woman older than themselves since they been around a lot longer they have more knowledge.

A: Well yes, but it doesn’t really work like that, does it. There are no rules to attraction and no mathematical or logical formulae for it.

And whilst I wholeheartedly applaud your recognition that older women can be just as sexy and interesting as younger ones, unfortunately I still don’t think you can apply a blanket generalisation that older equals wiser.

Because it doesn’t, often.

The other bigger issue with relationships with older women is that their childbearing years won’t be as great - and I say that as someone who had her kids in her forties.

That’s not a reason to not date an older woman of course but all I’m saying is that life is often more complicated than we want it to be.

If children aren’t an issue then it’s the woman who matters - not her age.

Q: How can I forgive him when he's cheated on me more than twice?

A: In your shoes, to be perfectly frank, I wouldn’t.

I can understand that you may be desperate to keep him but a relationship is a two way thing and it doesn’t sound like he is committed to you.

If he’s cheated more than twice and got away with it, why would he stop now? Sadly, sometimes our forgiveness is read as permission to carry on regardless.

Only you can decide if you want to put up with this and, frankly, there is little point in forgiving him unless he is committed to changing his ways.

That is the conversation you need to have with him but be aware that ultimatums rarely work.

I would accept that the relationship is effectively over and find someone who treats you with respect, kindness and love.

You really don’t need to be a doormat you know - that’s not love in anybody’s book.

Q: He told me he liked me. We’ve known each other for 6 yrs, but only gotten quite close as of last year. I don’t know if I actually like him back?A: It sounds like you are very unsure and I would listen to your gut instinct on this one.

If you truly were interested in him romantically, I don’t think there would be any doubt in your mind.

If this doesn’t feel right, don’t do it.

I would also be wondering why it’s taken 6 years to decide to ask you out.

Without knowing your situation it’s hard to comment further but I suspect there is something else going on with him unless he has just had a romantic awakening - which, though not impossible, would be unlikely after all this time.

Q: What does it mean when an ex contacts you and wants to start getting together again "just as friends" because she misses the friendship?

A: Well there are two possibilities here.

Firstly, that may be exactly what she wants - to renew a friendship.

Secondly, she may be angling to come back and is using the ‘just as friends’ line to test your reaction. She might also be hoping that renewing your friendship will lead to a renewal of your past relationship.

Only you know her well enough to decide which one it is.

Some people can be entirely mature with their exes and see no reason why a friendship shouldn’t resume after all the heartache has passed by.

Others prefer not to look back because if a relationship didn’t work then, it is unlikely to work now.

Again, only you know whether you are comfortable having her back in your life as a friend, or whether this will open up a painful situation 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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Hello And Goodbye To The Feminax Years

The thing about being an 'older' mum is that just as you are coming to terms with the end of your fertility, your daughter is approaching the beginning of hers.

And while, in many ways, I am thinking "good riddance!" and looking forward to many Feminax-free years (other pain killers are available), Caitlin has all the fun of this to deal with.

Of course it's a natural part of being a woman, but the arrival of menstruation heralds a new phase of life in which nothing is ever quite the same again.

There may be some lucky souls who breeze through it and, as in the Bodyform adverts, find it no impediment to a combat-level workout, or a bar to water skiing across lakes with their long hair streaming like a glossy curtain behind them.

Frankly, I've never met one of these women.

'Monthlies' have always been more curse than blessing, despite the persistent attempts of sanitary protection companies to convince us that life can continue at an even higher octane pace than usual.

No.  Anyone who has had the misfortune to wrestle with a Tampax Super Plus in a dank public toilet in Inveraray on a family holiday in the 80s, will understand that, rather than being an affirmation of femininity, it's proof that our creator had a very dodgy sense of humour.

Of course, society in general tends to regard the ending of periods as proof of old age.  I believe the term 'dried up' is often applied.

Nobody, you'll notice talks about the withering shrinkage which affects older men.  I can't ever remember hearing the phrase 'withered old bachelor'.

But, because I have a 9 year old daughter, I have to put a brave face (or foof) on things and pretend it's all a glorious adventure.

In all seriousness though, our daughters are lucky to have access to sanitary protection and medical care which is severely lacking in poorer countries.  And I once read of a woman who used to buy old handbags and fill them with personal hygiene supplies such as toothbrushes, toothpaste and tampons to give out to the homeless women she found in her city centre. What a brilliant idea.

Menstruation is as much a political as a biological issue in some quarters but that is a topic for another post.

But I digress.  I have compiled a few snippets of advice which I will pass on when needed.

*Always carry sanitary protection with you

Because periods are often irregular and will catch you out.  The wrapping of many sanitary towels will rustle louder than a Roman legion marching up a gravel path so it's pointless to try to conceal the noise.

*Try to stop period pain as soon as you can

If you have period pain, try to stop it in its tracks before it gets worse.  Painkillers (Feminax was always my saviour), a hot water bottle and a nap work wonders.

*Tell your employer if it's becoming a problem

Should employers allow women with period pain sick leave? That's tricky but I've always felt that if you suffer from the kind of dragging period pain that floors you then you should be able to stay home.  Sometimes of course, you can't but if you genuinely can't perform then I think you should at least explain your predicament to HR.

*If your period pain is frequently bad, see your GP

If your period pain is that bad, you should see a doctor.  The most common treatment used to be the prescribing of the contraceptive pill but you should get yourself checked out for other causes of extreme pain such as cysts or endometriosis.

The contraceptive pill, of course, comes with its own set of risks so you will need to carefully weigh up the pros and cons.

Some mums might not be too happy about their young daughters taking the pill which is understandable but if it helps them to cope with extreme pain I think it is worth considering, on the basis that there are regular GP check-ups, particularly for blood pressure.

*Be aware of Toxic Shock Syndrome

I have never liked tampons and given the risks of Toxic Shock Syndrome, I am surprised more women don't avoid them.

Toxic shock syndrome is a rare but life-threatening condition caused by bacteria getting into the body and releasing harmful toxins. It's often associated with tampon use in young women and it can get worse very quickly and even be fatal if not treated promptly.

*Consider alternative forms of sanitary protection

These days there are other alternatives to traditional pads and tampons, such as moon cups , menstrual sponges and reusable sanitary towels.

*Listen to your body

The old joke is that a woman with PMS needs chocolate or carbs to help her feel better.  I've always found my appetite would increase significantly and, as long as you don't go mad, the odd chocolatey treat won't hurt.  By this I mean a Twix or two and not three pounds of Hotel Chocolat's finest.

*Expect some mood swings

Crying at random stuff is normal during your time of the month. Nature documentaries, sad words on Countdown, missing your bus, insufficient choice of sarnie for your Boots Meal Deal - there really is no telling what might set you off.  But it's all completely normal.

We become slaves to our Oestrogen, just one of our hormones that is capable of creating havoc.

*Take extra care of your skin

Spots and break-outs are common around the time of your period.  Much pocket money was spent on Clearasil and Neutrogena, both of which were great at dealing with oily, spotty skin.  Later came the Clinique 3 Step regime and their trusty concealer which I use to this day.

*Gentle exercise will help

Particularly to get things flowing and to help ease that horrid dragging feeling.  Just a gentle 30 minute walk will help.

*Try to stay regular

Make sure you are not constipated as this seems to make the pain worse.  Bran flakes or a high fibre cereal every day from the middle of your cycle onwards may help avoid this.

*Nappy sacks might be a life saver

Bear with me but since having kids I've realised that nappy sacks (plastic bags designed to help dispose of soiled nappies) are great to use a sanitary bags if you are out and about and there is no sanitary towel bin - and let's be honest, most of these are not emptied anywhere near as often as they should be.

*Brands DO make a difference

If there is one area where paying that little bit more makes a difference, it is with sanitary protection (as it also is with nappies!).

If you're not sure which absorbancy towel or tampon to buy, buy one level higher than you think you'll need.  It's always good to keep a stash of lighter absorbancy towels or panty liners for those days when you're just about to start or your flow is tailing off.

*Your cycle will vary

If you're stressed or lose a lot of weight for example, your cycle may vary dramatically.  A classic example of this is when you are studying for exams or an equally challenging life event.

You may also find that stressing about getting pregnant may not only prevent you conceiving but may affect your cycle so much you don't know where you are with it!

You should also see a GP if you suffer from a very heavy flow.

So there you have it.  While it would be great to pretend it's all hearts and butterflies, I think it's better to prepare our tween / teenage daughters for what is to come.

It's hard, isn't it to know exactly when to broach the subject of menstruation with your tweenage daughter - or sex come to that.  My parents bought me a book about fruit flies.  Truth.  It's OK though.  I think the fruit flies really loved each other.

Have you discussed menstruation with your daughters?  How did you approach it?  And for those of you with sons, did you explain it to them too?

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Win Krombacher Beer - Beer With A Great German Heritage

Now that summer is here and barbecue season is upon us (weather permitting), we've been trying some new beers from Krombacher.

Krombacher is a beer with an impressive heritage. 60 glasses of Krombacher are drunk every second in Germany and it has been produced by the biggest family owned and operated brewery in Europe since 1803.

55 master brewers are involved in its production and the beers have 100% natural ingredients including the finest two row summer barley, Siegel hops from Hallertau and a specially cultivated yeast.

Krombacher beers are made with the local Felsquellwasser® found in 48 wells within 3 km of the brewery and the range includes the Pils, Hell, Dark, Weizen, Radler, Low Alcoholic Pils and low alcohol Weizen.
 
We tried three beers from the range - the Pils, the Dark and the Weizen (wheat beer).

The Pils is light and refreshing with a delicate taste whilst the Weizen has a delicate wheat flavour with no cloying after-taste. It's one of the most subtle wheat beers I've tried.

My favourite is the Dark, smooth, sweet, malty and almost dark chocolatey and we added it to a spicy beef curry for an extra kick.

Here's Mat's recipe.

Spicy Beef Curry with Krombacher Dark

Ingredients:

500g minced beef 

1/2 pint beef stock 1/2 pint

1/2 pint Krombacher Dark Beer 

1 tablespoon medium curry powder (or more if you want a hotter curry)

1 tin chopped tomatoes

1 chopped onion

1 teaspoon of salt

Method

Fry the minced beef till brown

Drain the fat from the meat and remove from the pan

Chop and fry the onion

Add the beef, chopped tomatoes, beef stock and beer

Cover and simmer for approx 40 minutes until the liquid has reduced to form a rich sauce

Mat kept everything simple with this dish so it would be suitable for a family tea but you could obviously ramp up the taste with more spice - or more beer.

The Krombacher Dark added an extra depth to the curry with a slight hint of treacly sweetness.

Mat's Spicy Beef Curry With Krombacher Dark

Or, if you've a sweet tooth, what not try a Krombacher Tiramisu?  The dark sweetness of the beer is a great substitute for the coffee or liqueurs in this recipe.

Tiramisu (adapted from www.prima.co.uk)

Ingredients:

About 15 sponge fingers

300 ml (1/2 pint) Krombacher Dark Beer

600 ml (1 pint) double cream

250g (9oz) mascarpone

5 tbsp good quality chocolate shavings (I love Green & Blacks)

2 tbsp icing sugar

Method:

Lay the sponge fingers in a flat 1 litre serving dish and pour over 200 ml Krombacher Dark Beer. Leave them to soak.

In a separate dish, whip half the cream, half the mascarpone, 4 tbsp chocolate and 1 tbsp icing sugar until the mixture forms soft peaks.

In another bowl, whip the remaining cream, mascarpone, beer and icing sugar to soft peaks.

Remove the sponge fingers from the dish.  Spoon the chocolate cream mixture into the dish then layer the sponge fingers on top, followed by the remaining Dark Beer / Cream mix.

Dust with the remaining chocolate to serve.

Image credit: Kurosawa Michiyo

Lest you're wondering which beer goes best with what, here's a brief food matching guide to allow you to explore Krombacher Beer fully!  There's a great giveaway too, at the end of this post.

Krombacher Pils

Krombacher’s Pils is light and golden, with a thin ribbon of sweetness running through a crisp, dry body which crackles with peppery spice and bitterness. It’s a great beer for barbecues and goes best with juicy burgers and steaks.

Pilsner is a very versatile beer which goes as well with Thai and other Asian foods as it does with subtle dishes such as shellfish.  Whilst it's great with burgers and perfect with pizza, it can also be an interesting accompaniment to light desserts.

It also works well with a cheese sarnie, or how about a combination of mature Cheddar with apple and a good British ham or a baked Brie with cranberries and Walnuts?

Krombacher Hell

This is another golden lager but with fewer bitter and spicy hop notes.  A delicate beer, this one goes well with lighter foods from the grill such as vegetable kebabs or chicken.

Krombacher Dark

The prominent treacly sweetness of this beer makes it an ideal complement to desserts such as grilled bananas and chocolate, but it also works well with meats slathered with sweet, sticky coatings, such as spare ribs with BBQ sauce.

Krombacher Weizen

The best complement for this one's crisp tangy notes is the great British banger (or the Bavarian weisswurst - if you're close to a well stocked Deli). The banana and clover aroma of this particular beer works well with pork.

Wheat beers also work well with Mexican Food such as cheesy quesadillas, spicy sweetcorn and chunky guacamole, or brunch dishes such as eggs Benedict, ham and cheese omelettes, sausages, gammon or ham, perhaps with a sweet or spicy glaze.

We used the Krombacher Dark for our curry but if you want something lighter, you can match your wheat beer with a chicken curry or even a vegetable curry.

Krombacher is available via Majestic www.majestic.co.uk, www.beersofeurope.co.uk, and www.noblegreenwines.co.uk and it's highly praised non and low alcohol range is available from www.drydrinker.com.

If you would like to try a tasting box of Krombacher beers comprising 2 Pils, 2 Dark and 2 non alcoholic beers, then enter my giveaway via the Rafflecopter below in the usual manner.

Terms and conditions apply which you can view on my competitions page.  UK entrants only and you must be over 18 years of age to enter.

The giveaway ends at 11:59 pm on Sunday 2nd July.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck and let's keep our fingers crossed for a 'barbecue summer' at last!

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Beck Valley Book Tour: A Flair For Drama - A Sadie Kramer Flair Mystery By Deborah Garner

NEW RELEASE....

When a former schoolmate invites flamboyant senior sleuth Sadie Kramer to a theatre production, she jumps at the excuse to visit the Monterey Bay area for a weekend. With quaint Carmel shops a short drive away and luxurious linens in her hotel accommodations, the excursion promises to be both entertaining and relaxing.

Plenty of action is expected on stage, but when the show's leading lady turns up dead, Sadie finds herself faced with more than one drama to follow. With both cast members and production crew as potential suspects, will Sadie and her sidekick Yorkie, Coco, be able to solve the case?

Available on the following sites....
Amazon.com    Amazon.co.uk 

"Deborah Garner is gifted at bringing each character to life. She adds details seamlessly, making it seem like you know these people. She presents scenarios that have you thinking you know who did it, and then in the next sentence you are second guessing yourself. And that is to say, this is a great “who done it” … it gets 2 thumbs up from me :)" - reviews Tracy Helps You

"I love the way Deborah Garner describes everything in this book, and I can't wait to read more in this series! This book literally kept me guessing until the very end." - reviews Sanity is for those without children

"Deborah Garner has created a unique and very flamboyant main character who seems to find trouble all by herself and turns into an amateur sleuth!" - reviews Miki's Hope

Above reviews from A Flair for Chardonnay (A Sadie Kramer Flair Mystery Book 1)

A Flair for Chardonnay (A Sadie Kramer Flair Mystery Book 1)

When flamboyant senior sleuth Sadie Kramer learns the owner of Cioccolato, her favorite chocolate shop, is in trouble, she heads for the California wine country with a tote-bagged Yorkie and a slew of questions. The fourth generation Tremiato Winery promises answers, but not before a dead body turns up at the vintners’ scheduled Harvest Festival.

All four Tremiato siblings have possible motives, as well as a few peripheral acquaintances, but only one could be the guilty party. As Sadie juggles truffles, tips and turmoil, she’ll need to sort the grapes from the wrath in order to find the identity of the killer.

Available to buy from....
Amazon.com    Amazon.co.uk 

My Review

If you love Miss Marple and Murder She Wrote, I'm pretty sure you'll love Deborah Garner's slightly eccentric senior sleuth, Sadie Kramer. A Flair For Drama sees chocolate loving boutique owner Sadie, visiting an old school friend, Roxy who is working back stage at a theatre production.

Sadie is a really likeable character whose boutique, Flair in San Francisco is full of unusual and wonderfully colourful and sparkly items. She's a widow but has a constant companion who travels everywhere with her, Coco, the Yorkshire Terrier.

Coco is usually out of sight, however, spending a lot of time secluded in a large tote bag and when she does appear, it really adds to the comedy of the story - particularly when she makes an unexpected theatrical debut.

Sadie ends up solving crime in the middle of the show's run with her faithful doggy companion who seems to be more human than dog.  

Despite the fact that the show's leading lady meets an unfortunate end, this is not a blood and guts murder mystery and the book has a gentle charm which makes it easy to read.

There is much 'earwigging', reading of body language and blending in to observe, in the way only older ladies can.  There's not much Sadie's misses, even while munching numerous chocolate croissants and chocolate lava cake - the recipe for which you'll find at the back of the book.

An easy, breezy read ideal for a lazy summer day on the beach.

About the author

Deborah Garner is an accomplished travel writer with a passion for back roads and secret hideaways. Born and raised in California, she studied in France before returning to the U.S. to attend UCLA. After stints in graduate school and teaching, she attempted to clone herself for decades by founding and running a dance and performing arts center, designing and manufacturing clothing and accessories, and tackling both spreadsheets and display racks for corporate retail management. Her passions include photography, hiking and animal rescue. She speaks five languages, some substantially better than others. She now divides her time between California and Wyoming, dragging one human and two canines along whenever possible.

Find the author on the following sites...

Website   Facebook   Twitter   Google+   Goodreads   Amazon Author Page

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I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, I have volunteered to share my review and all the opinions are 100% my own.

NOW FOR THE AUTHOR'S GIVEAWAY !!

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(winners choice)
Ending on Sunday 18th June at 11.59pm EST

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