Rhoda Reviews

On My Birthday Meme

2012-03-12T17:25:00.000Z

Last week my lovely friend Jo over at Given To Distracting Others tagged me in a meme. I loved reading her post so I decided to give it a go. You can find Jo's post here.

This meme was started by Kate who is trying to get posts for every day of the year so if you do decide to join in then please link up your post at thefivefsblog.

Ok.......... here we go!

When is your birthday?

Phew, an easy one to start with ... 9th October.

Pick three people that share your birthday and what you know about them.

I think I've picked an...erm... interesting mix!

David Cameron, 1966. Like him or hate him, he shares my birthday. Here are the facts. He is the current British Prime Minister and Leader of the Conservative Party. He became the youngest British Prime Minister in 198 years (since the Earl of Liverpool).

Brian Blessed, 1937. A British actor. Appeared in Z-Cars as PC "Fancy" Smith. Passionate about mountaineering he climbed Mont Blanc at the age of 17. He has also scaled Kilimanjaro, and has tried to reach the summit of Everest on three occasions....having to turn back on one occasion to save a fellow climber's life.

Sharon Osbourne, 1952. Well this is quite a mixture isn't it? Sharon is cited on Wikipedia as being a British music manager and the wife of Ozzy Osbourne. She was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2002 and beat the disease against a survival prognosis of 33%. Since then she has appeared as a judge on X Factor.

Is anyone listed as being born on the same day (ie same year)? If so, what do you know about them?

Yes, a few in fact. However I've just chosen one Andreas Zuber, 1983. He's an Austrian racing driver. That's all I know!

List three people who died on your birthday and what you know about them.

Ok, I didn't really find that many that I recognised, but here we go.

Andre Maurois, 1967. A French author who legally adopted the name Andre Maurois in 1947. I chose him because of these quotations.. "In literature as in love, we are astonished at what is chosen by others." and "We appreciate frankness from those who like us. Frankness from others is called insolence".

Dagmar, 2001. American actress, model and tv personality of the 1950s. A busty blonde, she is said to have been the first major female TV star.

Che Guavara, 1967. Named as one of the top 100 most influential people of the 20th Century by Time Magazine, Che was an Argentine Marxist Revolutionary, physician, author, intellectual, guerilla leader, diplomat, military theorist and a major figure in the Cuban Revolution. He was executed in Bolivia in 1967, shot a total of nine times.

List three notable events that took place on your birthday.

1582. This day did not EXIST in 1582 in Italy, Poland, Portugal and Spain because of the introduction of the Gregorian Calendar.

1940. Battle of Britain, St Paul's Cathedral was hit by a bomb during a night-time Luftwaffe air raid.

1981. Abolition of capital punishment in France.

Tell us about a holiday that falls on your birthday.

Leif Erikson Day (observed in USA, Iceland and Norway). A day that honours Leif Ericson, the Norse explorer who brought the first Europeans known to have set foot in America.

It was a tough choice between that and World Post Day ... yes it's what you think it is.

So there we have it! That was actually really interesting (for me at least). Now it's time to invite a few of my blogger pals to take up this meme too.

@savvywendy www.savette.com
@mummiafelice whitelilygreen.blogspot.com
@missielizzieb missielizzie-meandmyshadow.blogspot.com
@blissbubbley blissbubbley.blogspot.com
@susankmann www.susankmann.com

Don't forget to link up your post here if you take up the challenge!

A Taste of Italy with Sacla'

2012-03-12T10:11:00.000Z

When I think of good food I think of Italy. I've only had the pleasure of visiting the country once on a school ski trip in my teens but I still hold the memories of the gorgeous food we had while we were there. In actual fact I was thoroughly useless at skiing, ending up in the back of an Italian ambulance (that's a story for another day), but it gave me all the more time to eat!

I dream of going back to Italy one day, to the Lakes, but in the meantime I do what I can to get that taste of Italy back here in Scotland. So when I was asked by Sacla' if I wanted to review some of their latest products, well I couldn't refuse.

We were sent a pack of Sacla's new Intensely Italian Trofie Fresh Pasta together with some of their Intensely Italian Classic Basil Pesto to try. I adore fresh pasta and I love how easy it is to cook ... perfect for a midweek dinner.

Sacla's Trofie pasta has a traditional Ligurian shape which is perfect for making the most from your sauce. I've never had Trofie pasta before so I've been trying to think how to explain it. It's smaller than fusilli but slightly more dense and has a slight twirl to it meaning it has plenty of surface area to take on whatever sauce you choose to pair it with.

We paired the Trofie with Sacla's Classic Basil Pesto. We both quite simply adore pesto so this was the perfect accompaniment to the pasta.

As you'd imagine the Trofie is easy to cook, simply add it to lightly salted boiling water for 9 - 10 minutes. Drain your pasta and stir through the pesto - so easy. Serve up and top with a little Parmesan cheese.

So what did we think of this? Well we loved it. The pesto is absolutely full of flavour and there is certainly plenty of it too. The pasta itself was beautifully fresh and the two complimented each other perfectly. Most definitely a hit in this house.

If you fancy giving this meal a go then you will find the Trofie & Classic Basil Pesto in the chilled section of Waitrose or online with Ocado.

For more information about Sacla' and their products, or for recipe ideas visit their website.

Samples were received for the purposes of this review. No other reward, financial or otherwise, was received in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely our own.

Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup with Owen Potts Stocks

2012-03-07T13:00:00.000Z

On chilly days like today I love tucking into a nice steaming hot bowl of homemade soup. The thing is we don't really get round to making homemade soup in this house any more! I used to make the soup you see but at the moment I can't manage it and hubby has more than enough on his plate at the moment without worrying about making homemade soup!

Well, the other day we had some homemade soup! YAY! The lovely people at Owen Potts sent us a sample of their delicious new chicken stock to try along with all the ingredients we required to make a pot of Vietnamese Chicken Noodle soup.

The stock is all ready to go and perfect for making a pot of soup. I wasn't quite sure what to expect from "ready-made" stock but it was full of flavour and didn't separate in its packaging.

So we decided to tackle the soup. It was really straight forward to make and the smell was gorgeous!

Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup

Preparation Time: 10 mins
Cooking Time: 20 mins
Serves: 2

Ingredients

70g rice noodles
500ml Owen Potts chicken stock
200g chicken breast, diced
2 star anise
1 cinnamon stick
2 lemon grass stalks, bruised
2cm piece fresh root ginger, thickly sliced
1 tsp fish sauce
150g beansprouts
200g pack choi, thickly sliced
4 salad onions, finely sliced
1/2 red chilli, deseeded and sliced

Method

1. Prepare the rice noodles as instructed on pack.

2. Heat the Owen Potts chicken stock, spices, ginger and lemon grass in a large pan with roughly 300ml water. Bring to the boil and simmer with the lid on for 15mins.

3. Using a slotted spoon, scoop out the spices, lemon grass and ginger and then stir in the fish sauce.

4. Bring the soup base back to the boil. Stir in the prepared noodles and pak choi and simmer for 2 mins.

5. Add the chicken and beansprouts to the pan and cook for another minute. Divide between two large bowls.

6. Top with salad onions and chilli.

The soup was absolutely gorgeous! Hubby wasn't too sure when he looked at it but as soon as he tasted it he loved it too. We had the soup as a starter and there was leftovers for hubby's lunch the next day - perfect!

So what do we think of Owen Potts stock? Well it's full of flavour, convenient and easy to use. As far as I can see there's only one negative, the price. Yes it is made from the very best, natural ingredients but even so £2.50 is quite a lot in my opinion. That said it is really convenient and if it means we can have more homemade soup then perhaps it's worth the money?

Owen Potts stocks are available in various flavours including chicken, beef and fish. They are available at an RRP of £2.50 from Tesco. Owen Potts also have a range of stocks, dressings, cook-in sauces, dessert sauces and condiments. For more details on their range visit their website.

All of the ingredients for this soup were received for the purposes of this review. No other reward, financial or otherwise, was received in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely our own.

Mother's Day Gifts from Asda

2012-03-06T13:52:00.000Z

Have you got your Mother's Day gifts sorted out yet? Mother's Day is next Sunday (18th March) so you've still got time to go and get your Mum the perfect gift.

I like to give my Mum something I know she will like but we generally don't spend much...after all you don't have you spend anything to show someone that you love them. Apart from anything else my Mum would be really annoyed with us if she thought we had spent a lot of money on her!

So I've been having a wee look about for Mother's Day gifts that wont break the bank. I'd love to tell you what I've bought Mum but since she reads this blog that'd be a bit daft!

I was recently approached by Asda with details of all of their Mother's Day gifts and was even sent a few samples to review. Asda have some lovely gift ideas and I think they are good value for money.

I was sent their cute Cupcake Keyring and personally I love it. I do love cupcakes and this keyring combines the current cupcake trend with a "kitsch" design. It is quite a big keyring but it's light and soft so it wont weigh down Mum's handbag too much. What's more it costs just £1 - a great wee gift.

I was also sent the "If Mums were flowers I'd pick you" mug. I love the colour and floral pattern. The only thing is that it's not dishwasher or microwave safe ... perhaps a bit of a pain for a busy Mum? That said this mug retails for just £3 and is really quite cute!

Asda have a great range of Mother's Day gifts available with different themes - garden, home, kitchen, breakfast in bed and even pocket money gifts. Looking through their range I personally like the look of their Ceramic Bird Measuring Cups....

Ceramic Bird Measuring Cups £5

... I have boring plastic ones and these ones look so much more fun! I also wouldn't say no to their Ceramic Cake Stand, and at just £5 I think it's a bargain.

Ceramic Cake Stand £5

So there you go, a range of gifts from Asda that won't break the bank! Worth a wee look the next time you are in doing your shopping.

Samples were received for the purposes of this review. No other reward, financial or otherwise, was received in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely our own.

Beyond Dark, Drops of Pure Pleasure

2012-02-29T16:29:00.002Z

According to the World Atlas of Chocolate the UK is 7th in the list of Top Chocolate Loving Nations with an average consumption of 17.49lbs per year. It's fair to say that as a nation we love our chocolate! But are we eating the right kind of chocolate?

It's true that chocolate can indeed be good for you....providing it's the right quality and of course the right quantity.

I was recently asked to review Beyond Dark, antioxidant rich 70% dark chocolate drops. Beyond Dark is a small family business who have dedicated four years to creating a delicious antioxidant rich chocolate.

Cocoa is packed with Flavanol antioxidants which have been found to have many health benefits. They have been observed to lower cholesterol and blood pressure, promote a healthy heart and lower the risk of some cancers and diabetes.

Beyond Dark realised that the commercial extraction of cocoa and the manufacturing process of chocolate destroys a large proportion of antioxidants, meaning that even chocolates high in cocoa solids aren't as packed in antioxidants and as healthy for us as we may have been led to believe. Beyond Dark embarked on a four year challenge to create a healthy antioxidant rich chocolate ..... and have succeeded!

Thanks to their bean selection and production process Beyond Dark chocolate contains up to three times more antioxidants than a standard dark chocolate. As a result it is not only packed full of health benefits but it also tastes fantastic!

We love dark chocolate, in fact it's probably our favourite chocolate, so we were really keen to give Beyond Dark a go.

The chocolate is produced in chocolate drop format and packaged in 35g bags for convenience. We had read about all the health benefits of the chocolate but I really did wonder if a chocolate that is "healthy" can possibly taste good? The answer is yes, it's gorgeous! What's more you don't need much of it to fulfil your chocolate cravings!

We love it! To be honest even if it wasn't good for you I'd still love it, it's so delicious!

So where can you get your hands on this fabulous chocolate? Well it is currently available in both Sainsbury's and Holland & Barrett. Or you can buy a box of 12 bags for £12 online.

For more information about Beyond Dark visit their website.

Samples were received for the purposes of this review. No other reward, financial otherwise, was received in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely our own.

Win a Family Ticket to The Dungeons

2012-02-28T16:14:00.000Z

I have an exciting giveaway for you all today......a family ticket to Blackpool Tower Dungeons! The ticket is also valid for Edinburgh, York, London, Hamburg and Amsterdam so keep reading to find out how you can win!

Just the other day we were with friends who are expecting their first child. We were talking about all of the holidays that they could look forward to and things they could do once the baby comes along! It got me thinking about the family holidays we had when we were kids.

We were so lucky to have some fantastic holidays. Hands straight up I didn't realise how lucky I was at the time but now I really really appreciate all of those lovely trips.

Anyway, we visited Blackpool twice during our childhood. I have vivid memories of the illuminations and of being terrified on the big wheel!

Needless to say there's plenty of new things to do in Blackpool these days....one of which is the Blackpool Tower Dungeons.

Blackpool Tower Dungeons is one of the top Blackpool attractions (currently number 3 on Tripadvisor) and is packed with scary fun for a family day out. Although there's no age restriction it is recommended for children age 8+ as it can be a bit too scary for younger children.

To be in with a chance of winning a family ticket (for 2 adults and 2 children) valid for the Blackpool, Edinburgh, York, London, Hamburg and Amsterdam dungeons until 31st December 2012 just fill in the rafflecopter entry form below - easy!

(If you can't see the Rafflecopter entry form try refreshing the page, it usually works.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

For more information about Blackpool Tower Dungeon and all the other Dungeons visit www.thedungeons.com

A family ticket for The Dungeons was provided in exchange for this post. No other reward, financial or otherwise, was received. All opinions expressed are entirely our own.

Kopi - Gourmet Coffee To Your Door

2012-02-28T11:20:00.000Z

Ok, ok, I admit it - I adore coffee! It doesn't have to have caffeine in... I just love the taste. So when the opportunity came up to review gourmet coffee there was no way I was going to pass up the chance!

Kopi are a gourmet coffee company who offer a subscription service by which you can sign up to have their coffee of the month delivered to your home every month.

I was sent their January coffee Malawi Geisha AB Msese District to try.

First of all I was really pleased to see that the packet fitted through my letterbox! Surely a very important feature?!

Opening the parcel I found a packet of coffee together with a lovely wee information booklet all about January's coffee. The leaflet tells you all about the coffee - its origin, the growers, depth of roast, tasting notes and hints for getting the most from your coffee. Personally I love this, it's nice to know where your coffee comes from and of course how to enjoy it.

I was sent ground coffee, however you can opt for coffee beans if you prefer. All of the coffee is roasted just days before you receive it so it's very fresh. Now one of my favourite smells in the world is opening a new packet of coffee! I just love it ... we actually fight over who gets to open the coffee in our house because of this!

Anyway.. I opened the packet of coffee and had a good whiff. It smelt gorgeous! I'm no Jilly Goolden of the coffee world so I wont launch into a great long description - it just had a fabulous fresh, full smell to it.

Following the advice in the information booklet I scooped a heaped dessert spoon in the cafetiere per mug and left it to brew for 3 minutes.

Kopi describe this coffee as "a rare and exemplary East African coffee with a sweet lemony liveliness". I have to say it did have a zinginess to it but it wasn't too sharp, it just had an edge. I had no sooner finished one mug than I had to have another, I love the flavour of this coffee. I enjoy it as a mid-morning coffee with a wee chunk of milk chocolate (well that's what Kopi recommend after all).

I have to tell you I could most certainly cope with having fresh coffee delivered to me every month - particularly as I'm pretty much house bound so I don't get out to any nice coffee shops any more. I think it's a fantastic concept and if you are a coffee fan could there be anything better?

There are three subscription packages available... monthly which can be cancelled at any time for £9/month, 6 months for £8/month or annual which is £7/month. At first when I looked at the price I thought it was a bit steep but thinking about it now you do get 250g of fresh gourmet coffee delivered to your home .... a couple of coffees of similar quality in a coffee shop would easily cost the same.

So what's my verdict? As a house-bound coffee fan I love this concept and I love the coffee. It's a fantastic idea and it would be a great gift to give to the coffee lover in your life.

For more information about Kopi visit their website. You can also follow them on Twitter (@WeAreKopi) or like them on Facebook.

A sample was received for the purposes of this review. No other reward, financial or otherwise, was received in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely our own.

Pillow Pet Giveaway

2012-02-24T10:27:00.000Z

I've been itching to get this post up for over a week now, so I hope you all like it! Today marks the launch of the Pillow Pets UK website ..... and we have very kindly been given a Pillow Pet to giveaway!

Pillow Pets have been a hit in the US and have now reached UK shores. They are plush toys made of ultra-soft and cuddly chenille but with a clever twist! When you release a hidden strap underneath the snuggly creature it will transform from a cuddly toy into a soft pillow. Pretty cool huh?

From a cuddly pet ...

...to a snuggly pillow.

I can see these being very popular, perfect for travelling and great for that impromptu nap! What's more there's a range of eight to choose from Ms Lady Bug to Snuggly Puppy, Magical Unicorn to Silly Monkey. Something for everyone!

I think you will agree these look so cute and so snuggly - I wouldn't mind one for myself and my "impromptu naps".

Pillow Pets have an RRP of £19.99 and are available from Toys R Us and Amazon. They shall also be available very soon on the Pillow Pets website. You can be with the chance of winning a Pillow Pet of your choice by entering the Rafflecopter entry form below! (If the form doesn't appear straight away try refreshing the page).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

For more information about Pillow Pets visit their website or like them on Facebook.

Thank you to Mookie Toys for providing the prize for this giveaway. No other reward, financial or otherwise, was received in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely our own.a

Philadelphia with Cadbury!!

2012-02-22T11:34:00.000Z

Philadelphia with Cadbury.....what is your instant reaction?

Mine was a mixed reaction ..... Philly is good, Cadburys is good ....but the combination? I couldn't quite imagine it. I showed it to Jonathon and his face looked as puzzled as I felt. Obviously though we had to give it a go, and I'm so glad we did!

We took a little Choccy Philly and spread it on a digestive biscuit. Staring at each other for a reaction as we took a bite our faces changed from a look of trepidation to "ooooh that's nice". It was like eating a mini chocolate cheesecake!

Choccy Philly combines light Philadelphia and milk Cadburys chocolate to create a creamy chocolate spread. It kind of looks like a thick, creamy chocolate spread but when you taste it isn't not as rich as you'd expect. The cream cheese tones down the sweetness of the chocolate leaving a sweet treat that's not sickly or too sinful!

In the interests of research I took a teaspoon of Choccy Philly and gave one to my Mother-in-Law who likes chocolate and my Father-in-Law who is more a savoury person (particularly cheese). Both of them looked at me like I was slightly mad when I handed it to them but both of them enjoyed it!

I know what you are thinking though, Choccy Philly, surely that's really going to blow my diet? Well it contains just 86 calories per serving and has less sugar than many other chocolate spreads (on a like for like basis). It can be enjoyed on bread, bagels, toast, biscuits, fruit....the list goes on.

My personal favourite combination is on a digestive biscuit. I did enjoy it on toast but I like the additional sweetness of the digestive - I have a rather large sweet tooth!

Philadelphia with Cadbury is available now in most good supermarkets with an RRP of £1.62 for a 160g tub. It's also available in 4 x 30g mini tubs, perfect for taking to work with you.

So what do you think? Have you tried Choccy Philly? Are you going to try it? Let me know your thoughts, I'd love to hear what you think!

A sample was received for the purposes of this review. No other reward, financial. or otherwise, was received in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely our own.

Win a £50 Experience Days Voucher

2012-02-18T12:06:00.000Z

I'm very excited today to announce our latest giveaway! One lucky Rhoda Reviews reader could win a £50 voucher for Experience Days! Pretty cool huh?

I'm sure you'll all agree that sometimes it's a real challenge to find the perfect gift for that family member or friend. You know the folk I mean...the ones who seem to have everything but you want to buy them something really special? Well Experience Days have a whole host of exciting, unusual and spectacular gifts on offer, there really is something for everyone.

From a rally driving experience......

... to a pamper day, .....

.... a day at the races...

.. to helicopter flying ..

...there is a huge list to choose from! What's more one lucky winner will win a £50 voucher which they can redeem against any of the gifts on Experience Days.

To be in with a chance of winning this great prize just complete the Rafflecopter entry form below (if it doesn't load at first simply refresh the page).

a Rafflecopter giveawayGood luck!!

For more information about Experience Days check out their website or like them on Facebook.

Thank you to Experience Days for providing the prize for this giveaway. No other reward, financial or otherwise, was received in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely our own.

Naturally Soothe Conjunctivitis

2012-02-17T12:17:00.001Z

It's that time of the month again - time for our guest post from Master Herbalist and expert on natural medicine, Philip Weeks. Enjoy...

Conjunctivitis

If you tend to get quite dry eyes and bouts of conjunctivitis, your eyes can often be bloodshot and sore.

There are a number of measures that can be helpful both in your environment and internally with nutrition and remedies.

If you spend time in a place with air conditioning, that can contribute to dry eyes and increase the likelihood of infections. Many people report that using an air ionizer seems to help not only with dry eyes but also allergies such as hay fever.

It is important to keep hydrated and for most people that means at about 6 glasses of water a day.

When blood shot and sore, herbal compresses can help to bring the inflammation down. A simple method can be using a herbal tea bag. The most helpful ones are green tea or chamomile. Soak the tea bag in warm water for 5 minutes, whilst lying down apply onto your closed eyes for 10 minutes.

Essential fatty acids are very important for good eye health. You can take it as a specific supplement or by adding certain oils to your diet. Raw flaxseed oil is a great source of omega 3, add it to your meal such as a salad or baked potato. Most people need at least 1 tablespoon a day. Once opened it needs to be refrigerated and it must not be heated.

Mild cases of conjunctivitis can usually be helped by stimulating the production of tears as they are naturally anti-bacterial and help to clear infection. One method is to sit and chop onions! Although this may sound really simple it can be remarkably effective.

Betacarotine is important to maintain healthy eye moisture. Drink fresh carrot juice which is a great source.

Calcium is an important mineral to help prevent eye infections, a very good source is almonds.

For more information about Philip Weeks visit his website.

No reward, financial or otherwise was received in exchange for this blog post. Thank you to Philip Weeks for featuring on Rhoda Reviews.

Hillcrest Cottage - a fabulous break!

2012-02-15T12:05:00.000Z

You may have noticed I've been a bit quiet for a week or so....or maybe you were enjoying the peace? Well, I was lucky enough to be whisked away by my husband for a relaxing week in Broxa, North Yorkshire last week.

Staring at the same four walls at home really does get me down so getting a change of scene was absolutely fabulous!

We took the journey in stages, staying overnight as a long journey really takes it out of me. It's only a four and a half hour drive but I didn't want to get on holiday and be a total pain-filled zombie.

We booked ourselves in to the lovely Hillcrest Cottage in Broxa, near Scarborough. Having scoured the internet for hours we knew what we wanted, a cottage or lodge with a hot tub and a log fire. I really find that a hot tub helps my pain...plus it's just a fantastic excuse to chill out and treat ourselves. When we came across Hillcrest Cottage we both agreed that it looked perfect!

We arrived to a lovely warm welcome from the owners Carl and Yve. The fire was lit and the cottage lovely and cosy....which was greatly appreciated since we arrived in the snow! In the kitchen a welcome pack awaited us with homemade marmalade, fresh eggs (from the hens in the garden), Yorkshire butter, milk and bread. Not to forget the chocolates and coffee too! It's fair to say we were really impressed.

The cottage itself is beautifully finished. The kitchen has everything you could possibly want, well we certainly found everything we needed and more. A slimline dishwasher means you don't have to think about the dishes and the CD player and radio means you can have a sing song while you cook!

The bathroom is a lovely wetroom with underfloor heating meaning that the floor dries quickly and your tootsies never get cold.

Then onto the bedroom. I don't know why but I wasn't expecting a very big room, so I was really impressed when I saw it. A nice solid bed, plenty of storage space, a wing back chair and a spectacular view over the hot tub, garden and valley!

bedroom

view from bedroom window...well part of it!

As for the living room, well there are two comfortable sofas, a nice solid dining table, tv with freeview, books and jigsaws, a gorgeous log burner and fire place....not to forgot the two windows which look out over the garden.

living room - ignore the mess, we were about to leave

The garden itself warrants its own paragraph! Carl and Yve have created a beautiful garden full of birds. We spent hours just watching the birds, the highlight of which was seeing a woodpecker! As well as the birds they have their own hens and two cute wee ducks that live by the pond.

pond and summerhouse, from hot tub

The hot tub is tucked around the corner of the cottage. It's lovely and private with views across the garden and valley. It was really snowy while we were there and sitting in the hot tub surrounded by the snow was a real treat!

view from bottom of garden towards cottage and hot tub

If the hot tub isn't for you they also have a wee summer house in the garden, perfect for curling up and reading a good book......though we didn't venture in there except for a nosey.

All in all this is a really gorgeous cottage. Carl and Yve are so friendly and very kind. Although they live next door they leave you get on with your holiday and want you to have a nice, relaxing break.

We truly had a wonderful break and although we didn't really venture out much there is plenty to do in the surrounding area. The beauty is that you are tucked away in the country but with easy access to walks, wildlife and nearby towns including Scarborough, Pickering, Whitby, Thirsk and York.

I wouldn't normally blog about a holiday or place we have stayed but I completely fell in love with this place....I could have quite happily moved in then and there!

For more information about Hillcrest Cottage click here or drop me an email for Yve's phone number so you can book!

We had such a fantastic holiday I just wanted to share this wee gem of a cottage with you all.....though I was tempted to keep it as a secret all for ourselves ;-) x

Fabulous New Books from Macmillan!

2012-02-14T10:27:00.000Z

We are huge fans of books and reading in this house. I love nothing more than snuggling in with a good book and getting lost in a distant world. These days I can't really run about and play with Jonny and Sophie when I see them so I like to sit with them and read a book... surely it's best to start them young?

Liz and the kids were lucky enough to be sent a bundle of 3 books from Macmillan Children's Books recently and we have ALL enjoyed reading them. Dogs, Not On A School Night! and Zoe and Beans: The Magic Hoop are all newly published titles from Macmillan, written for children from 2 years old in mind.

Here's what Liz has to say about these beautiful books...

Not on a School Night (Rebecca Patterson)

Hardback £10.99, Paperback £5.99

I dread to think what this is teaching my three-year-old son! Two brothers getting up to mischief when it’s bedtime and getting into trouble from mum and dad is a common ‘situation’ in manyhouseholds and it certainly makes me fear for my future! Those two troublesomelads jump from the upper bunk bed, become dinosaurs and superheroes,each time getting caught by mum or dad. Except, of course, at the weekend whenthey’re allowed special treats.

The illustrations are vibrant and verycolourful. There’s a lot to look at on every page so you can make what you wantout of the book, making it last only a few minutes to a very long time. My sonadores this book and asks to read it constantly. Very user-friendly and lovedby children and adults alike.

Zoeand Beans: The Magic Hoop (Chloe & Mick Inkpen)

Paperback £5.99

This is the first ‘Zoe and Beans’ storywe’ve read and my three-year-old son and I were very impressed. The illustrationsare big and bold so they appeal to Jonny and they really aid the story telling.(He thought the little trail of rabbit poos was extremely funny.) Zoe seems tobe a rather excitable young girl who tries to get her less-than-impressed dog‘Beans’ to join in her games. At least he is reluctant until he is rewardedwith some Choccy bears. They go through a magical world in which Beanstransforms into other creatures as he jumps through the magic hoop.

This is a lovely story that you can readagain and again and enjoy with any young age group. We’ll definitely be huntingout more ‘Zoe and Beans’ stories.

Dogs (Emily Gravett)

Board Book £5.99

A beautifully illustrated book that bothour children love. The book itself is really well designed with pages that arethick enough for young children not to rip but don’t feel like a baby book forolder children. The concept of the story is very simple but effective; it goesthrough different types of dogs (for example scruffy and smart, big and smalletc). Each page contains opposites which has been a really useful learning toolfor Jonny. The story is short enough that it can be used as a quickstory when you’re rushed for time, or you can make it much longer by describingthe pictures. We’ve read the book a number of times so far and I’m not evenbored yet! There’s a lovely little twist at the end that I didn’t guess but wasdelighted at. Very clever!

For more information about children's book available from Macmillan visit their website.

Books were received for the purposes of this review. No other reward, financial or otherwise, was received in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely our own.

Taste #5 - Umami Paste

2012-02-06T12:49:00.000Z

I don't know about you but sometimes we get bored of the same old foods and same old flavours. We kind of get stuck in a routine of recipes and meals. So when I was asked if we would review the Taste #5 Umami Paste, described as the ultimate flavour bomb to enhance any savoury dish I didn't hesitate in saying yes.....although I had no real idea what this paste was!

Taste #5 Umami Paste is the creation of Laura Santtini, literally meaning "savoury deliciousness" in Japanese. It is a combination of Mediterranean ingredients packed with natural umami, ripe tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, Porcini mushrooms, salted anchovies, black olives and balsamic vinegar.

So now that we have cleared up what it is, what do you actually do with it? Well it's a hugely versatile paste, you can use it as a condiment (spread it on sandwiches, mix it in dips etc), seasoning (rub into meats, fish or vegetables before cooking), flavour bomb (add depth to savoury dishes, risottos, stews, pizzas, stir fries etc.), garnish (squeeze onto soups, pasta burgers etc.), quick pasta sauce or salsa, sauces and gravies!

There are a range of recipe suggestions on the website, all of which sound lovely. You can of course just do what you want with the paste, experiment and see how it goes.

We tried using the pasta with vegetables, tuna and pasta - it was delicious! To be honest I can't quite describe the flavour without saying that it added a "depth of flavour"...which sounds kind of cheesy. The truth is you could have hours of fun experimenting with this little gem of an ingredient! It really does add to the flavour of the dish, but in a subtle and healthy manner.

I really think this paste could change the way we cook .... although I am tempted to keep it as a secret ingredient! sshhhh

Taste #5 Umami Paste is available from Selfridges, Waitrose and Amazon with an RRP of £2.99 for a 70g tube.

A sample was received for the purposes of this review. No other reward, financial or otherwise, was received in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely our own.

Valentine's Day

2012-02-02T14:36:00.000Z

Valentine's Day.....does even its name turn you into a gooey mush or does it fill you with dread? Do you think it's a waste of money or do you like to show your other half how much you care by showering them with gifts?

image from weheartit.com

We each have our own opinions on Valentine's Day.... I wont bore you with mine... but whether you choose to go all out with gifts and dinner or you choose to recognise the day with a kiss on the cheek it's something that we can't really ignore, it's all around us.

There is so much pressure these days to buy the "right" gift and to make sure it's within budget too. I don't know why but on Valentine's Day we ladies expect our other halves to miraculously know what to get us ... meanwhile in my experience they are more concerned with the Bayern Leverkusen v Barcelona game on that night! Take note - there's football on that night! Personally I'd rather watch the footie but if you have grand hopes for a romantic night out perhaps rein them in if your partner is a footie fan!

Anyway...where was I? Oh yes, gifts. Next have come up with a gift selector to make your life easy, simply answer questions about your partner and Next will generate a gift idea for you. Not that I'm against putting the effort in but sometimes we do need a little help eh?

It's actually quite good fun to play about with... plus you get the chance to enter a competition to win 1 of 50 sets of Just Pink Eau de Toilette for Women!

That's not all though! The Gift Selector will also help you choose your outfit for Valentine's Day and give you the chance to win it too!!

<p>&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Iframes are not supported...&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;</p>
You'll need Facebook to use this wee app and to enter the competition. It really does just take a minute of your time plus you could win some Eau de Toillette or the perfect outfit!

There are actually lots of fantastic Valentine's competitions about at the moment, it's worth keeping your eyes peeled - you never know you could end up spending the night in Paris! You've got to be in it to win it!

Good luck!!

Cosy Tea Giveaway - CLOSED

2012-02-02T13:50:00.000Z

It's been pretty cold here over the past few days....the perfect excuse to partake in lots of hot drinks!! The other day, with perfect timing, I received nine different flavours of Cosy Tea to try. What a treat!

Cosy Tea is a tea with a difference. Not only are all of the teas organic but their packaging has been designed to really catch your eye. Each pack has a different hand knitted pattern that makes it stand out from the crowd. I think the packs are gorgeous and really compliment the Cosy, warming nature of the tea.

So what teas are in the range?

Cosy Fairtrade Organic Breakfast Tea
Cosy Fairtrade Organic Earl Grey Tea
Cosy Fairtrade Organic Decaf Tea
Cosy Organic Rooibos Tea with Vanilla
Cosy Organic Chamomile Infusion
Cosy Organic Sencha Green Tea with Lemon
Cosy Organic Chunmee Green Tea with Jasmine
Cosy Organic Peppermint Infusion
Cosy Organic Blueberry & Echinacea Infusion

Quite a range. My Mother-in-Law and her work colleagues LOVE tea so I distributed some of the flavours between them and sat at home doing my own taste test.

Now I do like tea but I wouldn't consider myself an expert...my Mother-in-Law however is somewhat of a tea coinnoissuer. She loved these teas! With such a range of flavours there is something for everyone.

Each pack of tea suggests how best to prepare it. This is great if you're like me and don't know which should have milk or how long to keep the bag in for.

Personally I loved the Peppermint and the Rooibos. The Peppermint took me back to a holiday in Egypt some time ago now, sitting in the hotel drinking fresh peppermint tea - I actually closed my eyes while drinking this tea and I could have been there. Delicious!

As for the Rooibos, well at first I wasn't sure but it soon became one of my favourites! This is a Redbush tea from South Africa with a hint of vanilla. When you first lift the cup to your mouth all you can smell is the sweet vanilla, however when you taste the tea the vanilla is merely a hint in the background. Once I got used to the sweet smell and the less sweet taste I loved it! I generally avoid caffeine and this tea is naturally caffeine-free ... a perfect excuse to drink it all day!

I could sit here and describe every tea to you but I think it's probably best if you try them out for yourselves. So I'm delighted to tell you that the lovely people at Cosy Tea have offered Rhoda Reviews readers the chance to win 1 of 2 complete sets of Cosy Tea!!

To enter just simply fill in the Rafflcopter entry form below (tip: if it doesn't appear straight away, refresh the page)

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Good luck!!!

For more information about Cosy Tea why not visit their website, like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter (@Cosy_Tea)?

Samples were received for the purposes of this review. Thank you to Cosy Tea for providing the prizes for this giveaway. No other reward, financial or otherwise, was received in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely our own.

Dulux Dog Celebrates 50 Years

2012-02-02T09:45:00.000Z

Well all know who the Dulux dog is don't we? Well he is celebrating his 50th birthday this year! 50 years of colourful TV adverts and 50 years of helping to style the nation!

To celebrate 50 years of the Dulux dog, Dulux have created a limited edition range of novel homely treats, from mugs to notebooks, fleece blankets to Royal Doulton figurine. It's a lovely range and we were lucky enough to be sent a cuddly Dulux dog for Jonny.

I have to admit that when he arrived I did toy with the idea of keeping him for myself....but that would have made me a horrible "auntie".

The Dulux dog is really soft and although he does shed a few hairs making him less suitable for younger children he is very cute and extremely cuddly.

Jonny has named him "Dog" and proudly paraded Dog when out for lunch the other day, woofing and barking ......and sniffing bottoms (that was his Dad's doing!!!). They have become great friends and he can't wait to take him to Newcastle to visit Grandad's dog Whiskey!

All of the limited edition Dulux merchandise is available from the Dulux website. This very cute cuddly Dulux dog retails for £12.99. You can join in the celebrations with Dulux on Facebook.

A cuddly Dulux dog was received for thie purposes of this review. No other reward, financial or otherwise, was received in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely our own.

Make Yourself Better

2012-02-01T14:15:00.000Z

Regular readers may have noticed that we have been missing a couple of monthly posts from Philip Weeks....well I have some news that might just make up for that. Philip has just published a book - Make Yourself Better!

I was lucky enough to be sent a copy of Philip's book to read. I'm always open to reading about ways that I can possibly make myself better so I couldn't wait to dive into this book.

The first thing that struck me about this book is that it is very easy to read. Although the information is specialist in this book Weeks engages the reader and describes things in such a way that even I can understand it - foggy brain and all!

The book is split into twelve chapters, each focussing upon an aspect of our lives or our bodies. I found myself really engaged in a lot of the information but some of did occur to me as being somewhat extreme - an example? .... the home enima!

I passed this book over to my Dad to have a browse and he found it really interesting, also commenting on just how easy it is to read!

Weeks suggests herbs, liver flushes, detox teas, fasting and foods that will help to get your body back on track and to regain your health. I will certainly be trying out his suggestions for chronic fatigue.

Personally I found this book very interesting. Although I didn't share all of Weeks' thoughts and opinions it was useful to read his thoughts on various matters. You could read this book from cover to cover and do everything it suggests or you could dip in to this book now and then to help with ailments.

The one thing I would say is that if you are prone to hypochondria you might just get a bit carried away with this read!!

Make Yourself Better is available to purchase directly from the makeyourselfbetter website with an RRP of £9.99. For more information about Philip Weeks visit his website.

A proof copy of this book was received for the purposes of this review. No other reward, financial or otherwise, was received in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely our own.

Baking Mad Healthy Baking Challenge

2012-01-31T11:16:00.000Z

So it's the end of January. Have you succeeded in your healthy eating plans for 2012 so far? Personally I've been finding it hard to avoid treats - which inevitably ends up in me feeling fat and guilty! So when the chance came up to join the Baking Mad Healthy Baking Blogger Challenge, well I quite simply couldn't pass up the chance. 'Healthy' and 'baking' in one sentence? Count me in!

The lovely people at Baking Mad gave me a choice of recipes, we opted for the Low Calorie Banana Bread. I love banana bread so the chance to try out a low calorie version was too much to resist. We were then sent a box with the key dry ingredients we needed to do the job - we just had to provide bananas, mixed spice and milk!

Ingredients

100g self raising flour (Allinson Nature Friendly)

100ml semi-skimmed milk

25g Half Spoon Granulated Sugar (Silver Spoon)

25g pecans (chopped)

2 bananas, small and ripe.

0.5tsp mixed spice

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180°C, fan oven 160°C, 350°F, gas mark 4

2. Place flour, sugar, spice and nuts in a mixing bowl.

3. Mash the banana on a plate with a fork until mushy.

4. Make a well in the centre of the flour mixture.

5. Mix the banana and milk together and pour into the flour mixture. Mix well.

6. Pour the mixture into a loaf tin or the individual loaf tins.

7. Bake for 20-25minutes (35- 40 minutes for a larger loaf) or until firm to touch and golden brown and when a skewer is inserted in comes out clean.

TIP - Omit the nuts and add a handful of dried fruits or 1tbsp dark chocolate chips.

This recipe is really quick and straight forward. It's the perfect recipe for rustling up in a hurry and for using up those bananas that are a bit on the ripe side.

We made one big loaf, but in hindsight we'd probably make four smaller loaves as we felt the large loaf didn't rise as well and was fairly dense. The image above is Baking Mad's banana bread, ours didn't look as pretty but certainly tasted fab!

Baking Mad have a range of low calorie baking recipes on their website - I think our next challenge shall be the Low Calorie Chocolate & Beetroot Cupcakes! mmmmm

For more information on Baking Mad and their great recipes and competitions like them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter. (@bakingmaduk).

Ingredients were received for the purposes of this post. No other reward, financial or otherwise, was received in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely our own.

Car Insurance - Sainsbury's Finance Guest Post

2012-01-25T09:01:00.000Z

Today I'm pleased to share with you a guest post from Sainsbury's Finance. Personally I dread it when the time of year comes round to renew any form of insurance. It's finding the balance between getting exactly what you need and it not costing the earth!

Sainsbury's Finance team have put together a guest post about finding the best car insurance policy for your family.

How do I find the best car insurance policy for my family?

When you think about car insurance you have to think about your family. For some families it is important that you are able to add named drivers on to a policy. Others will need a specialist policy to take into account individual family needs.

All insurance policies are different, and all families are different. The important thing is to find the policy that best suits your family.

What type of policy is right for my family?

Many families choose to go for a fully comprehensive policy, believing that the extra cover is essential.

If you have young members of your family listed as named drivers, it is important for them to be well covered. Unfortunately, young people are statistically more likely to be involved in an accident, so it is nice to know that you can get the repairs done without breaking the bank if disaster strikes!

Third party, fire and theft cover can be an alternative but you have to remember that you are not covered for any damage to your own car. You may find that a third party, fire and theft policy is slightly cheaper, but when it comes to protecting your family, cost shouldn’t be your number one priority if you can possibly help it.

What should I be looking for from individual policies?

When you start searching for the right car insurance, it’s important that you look out for the little things that set great policies apart. The small details really can make all the difference in the event of a claim. Decide what is important to you in a policy and stick to your guns.

Car Seats

A lot of families with young children appreciate a policy which takes into account child seats. It’s recommended that a child seat that has been involved in an accident be replaced, whether or not there appears to be any damage. Some insurance policies include child seat replacement in the event of an accident, which can be a major benefit for families. Child seats can be expensive items, so this can be a real moneysaver in the long run.

No Claims Discount

You will also find that some insurance policies will offer no claims discounts for named drivers on the policy. If you have a young person in the family who is going to be using your car, then building up a no claims discount is a great incentive for them to drive sensibly.

Courtesy Car

A courtesy car is another must-have item for families looking for good car insurance deals. When you have a million and one ferrying trips to make in an ordinary week, being without a car is just not an option! Look out for policies that give you a replacement car that matches your own.

Will I find a policy that matches all of my requirements?

The more individual your requirements are, the harder it will be to find the perfect car insurance policy. You always have to balance affordability against cover, but having a few specific needs for your family shouldn’t be a stumbling block to finding good car insurance.

Don’t lose sight of the details of the insurance policy you need. If you search carefully and investigate each policy thoroughly you should find car insurance that is suitable for your family.

If you've liked this post then I recommend you take a look at Sainsbury's Money Matters Blog.

Thank you to Sainsbury's Finance for providing this guest post. No reward, financial or otherwise, was received in exchange for this post.

500 Baby & Toddler Foods Review

2012-01-24T13:58:00.000Z

A few months ago I was lucky enough to win a competition on another blog. The prize was a fabulous KitchenAid Blender and a copy of Beverley Glock's 500 Baby and Toddler Foods book.

Looking at the book I new straight away that Liz would love it so I passed it on to her. The other day Beverley (founder of Splat Cooking) got in touch with me through twitter and asked if I would write a review on my prize on my blog. So here it is, Liz's review of 500 Baby and Toddler Foods.

Brilliant book and a great addition to our recipe books. This book has been really well thought out and is so user-friendly (even for baby-brained mothers). It starts with excellent advice on weaning (first foods, moving forward, toddlers etc), food restrictions (with a useful definition on the difference between intolerances and allergies), useful equipment and safety. Even though we’re now onto our second child eating solids the advice is very welcome. Beverley Glock sets out the advice in a very practical way which is simple to follow and not condescending in the slightest.

There are loads of recipes for each stage and we have certainly made good use of them. They are clearly set out with good quality pictures showing what they should look like. They are really tasty and we cook a large quantity for the whole family to eat and then freeze the leftovers for Jonny and Sophie. This has the added benefit that we’re all eating the same thing at the same time for lots of meals. They are easy to follow and make so Jonny gets involved in the cooking too.

This book gives you all you need but is also great to be used in tandem with other baby recipe books. There are obvious links with other recipes but Beverley has her own take on them so you come out with an array of options. Definitely the greatest pages of the book are the ‘variation’ ones. What a brilliant idea! Not only does it mean the number of possible recipes is immense (probably about 500 from reading the book title) and you can generally use what you have in the fridge to make something. Just by reading that variations are possible means you substitute other ingredients also so you can cook really cheaply. I generally buy whatever fruit and veg are on offer in the supermarket so I don’t end up having to buy anything expensive just to follow a specific recipe. These pages are worth buying the book for themselves.

Definitely a 5 star rating. We love it!

Signed copies of Beverley's book are currently available through the Splat Cooking online shop, priced at £8.50.

For more information about Beverley visit her website, follow her on Twitter (@beverleyglock) and check out her Splat Cooking website!

What's That Flavour?

2012-01-24T10:11:00.000Z

I do love my competitions....and I enjoy my snacks too. Walkers Crisps have come up with the perfect combination "What's That Flavour?"

Walkers have released three new flavours of crisps, Mystery A, Mystery B and Mystery C .... our challenge is to guess the flavour! All we know is that the new flavours are inspired by ingredients and recipes loved by the Great British Public...and that there is one meaty, one spicy and one dairy among them.

We were lucky enough to be sent samples of the new flavours to try and have had loads of fun debating what the flavours might be. Normally I would share our thoughts with you BUT Walkers are giving away a fantastic £50,000 to three people who correctly identify the mystery flavours....so you'll understand if we keep our thoughts to ourselves!

It's really easy to enter the competition, simply go to www.walkers.co.uk or www.facebook.com/walkers to submit your guess.

It's definitely worth "liking" Walkers on Facebook as they may well give us a few hint over the course of the next few weeks!

For the full list of terms and conditions check out the Walkers website.

Hope you have fun entering this fantastic competition and lots of luck to you all!

Samples of the new crisps were received for the purposes of this post. No other reward, financial or otherwise, was received in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely our own.

Nominate Your "Most Deserving" To Win A Car!

2012-01-21T13:43:00.000Z

I'm fairly sure we all know someone who deserves recognition. Someone who goes above and beyond the call of duty, someone who devotes time to charity, someone who selflessly cares for others... I can think of numerous people that do these things. Wouldn't it be nice if we could show them how much we appreciate them, their time and their generosity? Well if you enter the new competition from Motors.co.uk you might be able to do just that!

Motors.co.uk are searching the UK to find outstanding people who go above and beyond to help others. The winner will receive £10 000 towards a car from Motors.co.uk plus £2500 to give to a registered charity of their choice.

If you can think of someone who deserves recognition ... and a new car... simply nominate them at mostdeserving.motors.co.uk. You can write up to 500 words, include links to images and websites to get your message across.

The competitions is being held in two rounds. The first stage is the public nominations for their "most deserving". The Most Deserving Panel at Motors.co.uk will then choose finalists from all regions in the UK, and the general public will be asked to vote for their favourite. The three finalists with the most votes will then be assessed by the Panel who will choose the winner.

So what are you waiting for? Get nominating!

For more information about this competition visit mostdeserving.motors.co.uk. Keep up with the latest competition news via the Twitter hashtag #MotorsWinaCar or like Motors.co.uk on Facebook.

ThermaCare HeatWraps

2012-01-21T11:46:00.000Z

Did you know that 1 in 5 mums carry their kids around for four or more hours a day when they are young - this equates to two full months a year! It's no wonder then that almost half of mums who suffer aches and pains say that lifting up their kids causes the most strain.

ThermaCare have devised HeatWraps that allow you to put your pain aside and get on with the day. Day to day I suffer a lot of pain throughout my body. It's often my wrists that suffer the most and I find that heat helps and often wear splints to help cope with the pain. I was sent a pack of ThermaCare HeatWraps for the Upper Back, Neck, Shoulder and Wrist to try out and couldn't wait to try them.

ThermaCare HeatWraps use heat cell technology to give warming relief to muscles and help to accelerate the body's healing process. The wraps are easy to apply, you just peel off the paper on the back to reveal the adhesive tabs and apply to the desired area. You can wear the wraps for up to 12 hours - they will maintain their heat for up to 8 hours and give an extra 8 hours of sustained pain relief and muscle relaxation.

I was really impressed with how long these wraps maintained their heat. They take a wee while to heat up but once they reach their heat they really are very warm! I found that they really did help to relieve my pain however I didn't think the adhesive lasted as long as I'd have liked it to. Perhaps this is because I was using them on my wrists, which by nature need to move a lot, but I did find that they started to fall off after about 5 hours. That said, I just fashioned a way to keep them on and they continued to stay very warm indeed.

ThermaCare HeatWraps are available in three different shapes to accommodate each area of pain more comfortably - Lower Back & Hip (£6.12 for pack of two), Neck, Wrist & Shoulder (£6.12 for pack of three) and Knee & Elbow (£6.12 for pack of two).

All in all I really like these wraps. I would love it if they were a bit more adhesive, but on the whole they are a great way to relieve pain naturally.......and much easier than carrying a hot water bottle about with you all day. If you are one of the Mums that suffers pain from carrying your kids for 2 months of the year then I can recommend these, they are discreet, effective and wont slow you down.

For more information about ThermaCare HeatWraps visit their website or like them on Facebook.

A sample was received for the purposes of this review. No other reward, financial or otherwise, was received in exchange for this post. All opinons expressed are entirely my own.

MAM Bite & Relax Teether

2012-01-14T12:16:00.001Z

Today is Liz's first guest post of the year. Her review? The MAM Bite and Relax Phase 2 Teether.

Phase 1 on left, Phase 2 on right

MAM are at the forefront of baby and toddler care, with innovative products to make your life easier and your child's life more comfortable.

Their latest innovative product to hit the shops is the MAM Bite and Relax Teether. We were lucky enough to be sent one of these teethers to review....and with perfect timing too as Sophie is now teething (where does the time go?)

The MAM Bite and Relax Teethers are available in two forms, phase 1 which is available from 2 months, and the phase 2 which is suitable from 4 months. It was the Phase 2 we were sent to try.

The Bite and Relax Teethers are designed to be light weight and suitable for little hands. They feature a range of different textures and structures meaning that there is plenty to chew on and to help soothe the pain of new teeth. While the phase 1 is designed more for front teeth, the phase 2 is designed to relieve the cutting of back teeth.

Sophie and Liz have been using it for a while now. Here is what Liz has to say about it...

"Teething is just hideous. It’s as simple as that. Any one who designs anything useful to help your baby deal with it deserves a pay rise and acknowledgement from the Queen. When your child hurts themselves you can usually brush it off with distraction but when it’s their teeth hurting they look at you in a certain way that says ‘HELP ME PLEASE’. When you have toothache when you’re an adult it’s painful so for a baby it must be awful.

The Bite and Relax Phase 2 landed on the doorstep before Christmas and at the perfect time as within that week Sophie cut her first two teeth in two days. The memories of Jonny waking up screaming in the night and being grumpy and restless in the day came streaming back, as did the pretty helpless feeling of not being able to do much except fix the Calpol bottle to a drip and comfort him as best we could. We’ve tried the teethers that you put in the fridge or freezer with both children and they hated them. The designs are quite bulky and it’s not surprising they couldn’t get their teeth around them. Material didn’t work either. Nothing did. This teether, however, is different.

The design is great and Sophie finds it easy to hold on to and pass from hand to hand. Once she had it in her mouth there was no letting go and she chewed and chewed. The little rivets on the teether are ideal as they can massage the gum to help the tooth cut through. She can fit it right to the back of her mouth whilst still keeping a firm grip and it certainly made a difference during those painful days.

The portability of the product is excellent. It can be sterilised any way at all and has a little box that it is sterilised in which makes it really easy to keep clean and transport. If you have a microwave you literally bung in it (after washing) for three minutes and it’s done so no messing around with sterilising solutions and plastic tupperware. My only criticism would be that the mark on the box for the amount of water isn’t very clear as the condensation hides it. However, that’s just a small point as after a couple of times using the box you know where the mark is anyway.

I really wish we’d had this for Jonny. Excellent product."

MAM Bite & Relax teethers are available online from the MAM shop with an RRP of £4 each. For a list of other MAM stockists click here.

For more information about MAM visit their website or like them on Facebook.

A sample was received for the purposes of this review. No other reward, financial or otherwise, was received in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely our own.

Make 2012 A Money Saving Year!

2012-01-05T15:20:00.000Z

I don't need to tell you how much I love a bargain....I'm pretty sure that you've gathered that over the past year or so. I love saving money on something or knowing that I'm getting the best possible deal on it.

Until recently I used to spend a lot of time comparing prices between websites until I found the best price...that was until I came across InvisibleHand.......

InvisibleHand will change the way you shop online, at least it has for me and for those I've introduced it to. Basically it's a FREE add-on to your web browser that will run in the background and discreetly notify you if there are lower prices available on the product or flight you are looking at!

It is currently available for the UK, US & Germany, and although it doesn't yet search ALL retailers they are constantly adding to it. To find out which retailers and airlines InvisibleHand currently covers click here.

I used this to do the majority of my Christmas shopping and definitely saved myself money. Make sure that you take into account any delivery costs when comparing the prices though as occasionally the cheaper price actually ends up costing more with delivery included.

So how do you get this fantastic wee add-on? Simply go to the InvisibleHand website and click on DOWNLOAD. InvisibleHand is available for FireFox, Chrome, Safari and Internet Explorer.

It's really to install and you wont know it's there until it finds you a product or flight at a cheaper price. It's great for all purchases, large and small, and all those saved pennies will turn into pounds!!

I just wanted to share this with my readers, I have no connection to InvisibleHand.

Sacla Pangrattato

2012-01-05T14:35:00.000Z

Happy New Year to you all, I hope that 2012 will be a good year for you all.

I was just thinking about tying up the loose ends from 2011 when I remembered, in horror, that I hadn't written up my review of Sacla's Pangrattato! So, better late than never, here it is...

I've long been a fan of Saclo for their delicious pestos, I reckon I'd put pesto on everything if I could get away with it! So I was very interested when I was asked to review Sacla's Pangrattato.

Pangrattato are crispy baked breadcrumbs that Italians use to add a flavour full crunch to their pasta. In Southern Italy they sprinkle Pangattato over their pasta, so naturally we had to give this a go.

Saclo's Pangrattato comes in two flavours, Garlic & Herb and Fiery Chilli. We were lucky enough to be sent samples of both to try out.

The breadcrumbs are baked in olive oil before being spiced with the chilli or infused with the garlic and herb meaning that there are no artificial flavourings in the product.

We have tried these products several times sprinkled over pasta and both of us have loved the addition. It really adds a crunch to the pasta as well as a blast of flavour.

Both flavours are quite strong so I would say you might not want to eat the Garlic & Herb before a night out! Personally I much preferred the Garlic & Herb, but Jonathon leans towards the Fiery Chilli, which I find to be just a bit too hot for my tastes.

We actually go for these pots before we go for cheese these days to top our pasta, and I find a little goes quite a long way.

You could actually use the Pangrattato for many dishes not just pasta. I'd like to try them on cauliflower cheese, baked mushrooms or maybe even on top of a fish pie. They are very versatile, easy to use and will give even the most basic of pasta dishes a great boost - great in these frugal times!

Pangrattato is available in Tesco, Waitrose and Ocado with an RRP of £1.99. For more information about Saclo and their products visit their website or join them on Facebook.

Samples were received for the purposes of this review. No other reward, financial or otherwise, was received in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely our own.

So long 2011....what will 2012 hold?

2011-12-31T13:19:00.000Z

Well it's the final day of 2011... I can't quite believe it. Where has the time gone? What have I actually achieved this year?

2011 has been a pretty tough year for me if I'm honest. It's another year that's gone by where M.E. has ruled my life....but you know what, every year that passes means a year closer to recovery - positive mental attitude!

2011 has also been a very successful year for me - I've managed to keep my blog going for over a year now and I love it. It's a huge achievement for me and I REALLY appreciate all of the support you have given me, my lovely readers.

So what will 2012 hold? Who knows? I'm really hopeful that my new medication will make a difference and that by this time next year I'll be out dancing the night away at a Hogmanay Ceilidh.

I have great hopes and dreams for my blog this year and I really hope you will join me over the coming 12 months.

So as 2011 comes to a close I just want to say...

....to my readers, my twitter buddies, my family and friends for all of your support. Here's to 2012!

BLIADHNA MHATH UR!!

All images from weheartit.com

Swizzels Matlow Stocking Fillers

2011-12-19T09:03:00.000Z

Well there isn't long left before Christmas - have you got all of your shopping done? I think we are all sorted over here, maybe just a couple of wee stocking fillers still to buy.

Today I have a last minute sweet stocking filler ideas for you - Swizzels Matlow sweets!!!!

I don't know about you but Swizzels Matlow reminds me of my childhood - Love Hearts, Drumsticks, Refreshers....I can still picture them lined up in the sweet shop.

Swizzels Matlow have released these iconic sweets in 120g tubes specially for Christmas.

The tubes are decorated with ribbon and snowflakes to make them extra Christmassy and at only £1.49 per tube they would make a great stocking filler - for the old or young!

We were sent a couple of tubes to review and I was amazed by how quickly I was thrown back into my childhood - reading the Love Hearts and wondering who I should give them to. I don't know if you did the same but we were VERY particularly about who received what Love Heart in our childhood!

BE QUICK - There is currently a competition on the Love Heart website to win a bundle of seasonal sweets! It ends on 31st December 2011 so there's still time to enter. Good luck!!

Swizzels Matlow tubes are available nationwide with an RRP of £1.49.

Samples were received for the purposes of this review. No other reward, financial or otherwise, was received in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Lypsyl Stocking Filler Giveaway

2011-12-14T10:10:00.001Z

Morning everyone! I have one last wee giveaway for you all before Christmas and I'll do my best to get it to you in time for the big day.

The lovely people at Lypsyl have given me a bundle of 5 of their latest "flavours" to give away. These would make a great last minute stocking filler and if I'm honest I'd love to find one in my stocking on Christmas Day - hint hint.

Lypsyl provides daily moisturising care and protection for your lips. Each stick contains Vitamin E to help stop lips from drying out, as well as Aloe Vera extracts to soothe and moisturise the lips - perfect for these cold winter months.

All of the flavours I have to give away today also have SPF15 protection, making them perfect for winter or summer.

To be in with a chance of winning this bundle of 5 Lypsyl lip balms - Original, Pineapple Passion, Watermelon Burst, Cherry Blossom (tinted) and Strawberry Polka-Dot (tinted) just complete the Rafflecopter form below.

NOTE - You DON'T have to have Facebook to enter - click the link below the Facebook login.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!

For more information about Lypsyl and their products why not follow them on Facebook?

Thank you to Lypsyl for providing the prizes for this giveaway. No other reward, financial or otherwise, was received in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely our own.

An Aldi Christmas

2011-12-12T10:31:00.000Z

I love this time of year, spending time with family and friends, the festive feeling and the food! I do love Christmassy food. In fact we've had mince pies in our house for at least a month, both Jonathon and I love them so they never last very long!

We were recently sent two of Aldi's top rated products to taste test...yes you guessed it, one of them was Mince Pies!

Aldi's Specially Selected Luxury Mince Pies performed well in November's Which? magazine taste tests, beating competition from Morrisons, M&S, Fortnum & Mason, Mr Kipling, Harrods and Lidl. Well, we simply couldn't wait to try these out for ourselves!

The mince pies are all butter pastry filled with luxury mincemeat and I have to say that I loved them. They are quite rich but I love that about them. The mincemeat is a lovely blend of sundried fruits with just the right amount of brandy - a perfect balance.

The Specially Selected Luxury Mince Pies are available from Aldi with an RRP of £1.69 for a pack of 6.

Next we moved onto some sparkling white wine. Now I'm not particularly into wine, I enjoy a glass now and then and I know what I like and don't like but that's about as far as my wine expertise goes. We were sent a bottle of Aldi's Phillipe Michel Cremant du Jura to review.

This particular wine came second overall in Which? magazine's test on sparkling wines, beating the likes of Jacob's Creek, Sainsbury's, M&S and Tesco Finest. So how did it go down here at Rhoda Reviews?

To be honest I found this wine to be a bit too dry for my tastes, it is a Chardonnay afterall so that makes sense. Beyond that though we enjoyed the citrus tones of the wine, it did have quite a crisp flavour to it. I'd imagine that it would go beautifully with seafood - perhaps a seafood starter on Christmas Day?

This wine is available from Aldi all year round with an RRP of £6.99.

Yet again Aldi has provided products which went down well in our house....and at a reasonable price. Christmas can be such an expensive time so remember to shop around and research the best bargains before you go out and shop. It may take a bit of time but it's worth it in the long run.

Samples were received for the purposes of this review. No other reward, financial or otherwise, was received in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely our own.

Doodlenation - Fun For All The Family!

2011-12-07T09:37:00.000Z

As children we used to love colouring in and making things from old washing up bottles, empty toilet rolls and lots of sellotape. In fact we probably passed hours this way and although none of our creations were particularly ground breaking they did get us thinking more creatively.

As I've said before we were brought up on an island, a very beautiful island that I love very much. There was no "entertainment" if you will, no cinemas, swimming pool, bowling, soft play...we created our own entertainment, and I wouldn't change that experience for the world!

So what's my point? Well my point is that as kids we would have LOVED the products from Doodlenation.com. Doodlenation sell giant, black and white, A1 colouring in posters complete with a set of 10 high quality pens. We were lucky enough to be sent a sample to review and even as a 28 year old I loved it!

There's something very therapeutic about colouring in - at least I certainly think so - and so having a huge colouring-in project to do is really quite relaxing.

Doodlenation have a choice of seven A1 posters for you to choose from. From Angel to Cyborg City there's something for both genders and all tastes. They are suitable from any age, from 3 to 103!

Cats

Personally, I feel that too much weight is put into technology for entertainment purposes these days. Wouldn't it be nice if kids could just sit around a table, either alone or with family, and colour in? I think these posters offer the perfect opportunity and could keep the whole family entertained over Christmas......with minimum noise too!

Posters are available to purchase directly from Doodlenation.com. They come carefully rolled in a cardboard postal tube, with 10 double-ended Staedtler felt-tip pens to help get you started. The sets cost £16.99 each or you can currently buy two for £29.99. Postage to the UK & Europe is FREE. Please note that the last posting date for these products is Tuesday 20th December 2011.

For more information about Doodlenation visit their website, like them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter (@Doodle_Nation).

A sample was received for the purposes of this review. No other reward, financial or otherwise, was received in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Tractor Ted Review & Giveaway - CLOSED

2011-12-05T11:58:00.001Z

Growing up on an island and working on the croft with my Dad I was lucky enough to spend time in the countryside and with animals every day. I learned so much from this experience and to be honest it's probably something I took for granted. It wasn't until I moved to the city for Uni that I realised how lucky I was. A friend of mine was doing teacher training and said that the kids in his Secondary School in the inner city had no concept of what size sheep or cows were! This really shocked me .... how is this even possible?

I was recently asked if we would like to review the new DVD from Tractor Ted. Tractor Ted in Tractorland is a cartoon green tractor who teaches children between the ages of two and six about the countryside using real-life footage.

Tractor Ted was created by mother of three Alexandra Heard when are three children were young and used to ask her to stop and watch the machines at work in the fields, and farmer David Horler.

There are now 15 DVDs which cover big machines, looking after animals, the seasons, growing food etc. as well as a wide range of merchandise. Liz and Jonny were sent a copy of the latest DVD, Tractor Ted Mighty Maize Machine, to review. Here's what Liz had to say about it...

RRP £9.99

"I’m not sure who enjoyed this more; two-year-old Jonny or slightly-older-than-two granddad! The latter didn’t realise that Tractor Ted was being reviewed and bestowed huge praise on the DVD completely independently of me. Since becoming a granddad he has learnt the delights of CBeebies and films such as ‘Happy Feet’, but he reckons this is ‘the best thing he’s seen’.

Tractor Ted as a brand is fantastic. The website (www.tractorland.co.uk) is a delight to look at and fills you with that gooey happy feeling that the company’s primary target isn’t just to fleece you out of as much money as possible for a generic item that ticks some of the boxes for children’s entertainment. Rather, Tractor Ted was created through children and for children. Machines are amazing for kids (and dads J) and you really can spend hours watching them on a cheap day out. We live on a busy main road and some of Jonny’s first words were ‘bus’, ‘car’, ‘lorry’, ‘taxi’ ‘digger’ etc. We often take picnics (especially car picnics on bad weather days) and sit near airport runways and helipads, or near cranes and other big machines near building sites (living in Glasgow you don’t have to go far to find these!). Grandma and granddad live next to a big field but apart from that we don’t really watch farm machinery. This, however, has now changed.

The brand smacks of Farmers Markets and wholesome communities. Who doesn’t want that for their children! We hope to move somewhere out of the city in the not too distant future. Both hubby Mikey and I grew up surrounded by fields and were allowed to roam all day with friends. We’d love some of that for Jonny and sister Sophie. The countryside is so full of life lessons and Tractor Ted educates children about how their food is grown and bred. It’s so important to teach children this rather than them growing up thinking lamb comes pre-packaged at the supermarket. If kids are brought up with the life-cycle of birth and death, and planting and harvesting, they will have a much better understanding of the world.

The fact that the company seems to have such a localised base supports a brand ‘type’ such as this. Local cameramen, farms, office staff etc really make it a brand I want to invest in. In fact, it’s quite tempting to move to their community and become part of it ourselves! The brand seems to have expanded rapidly and they sell a range of clothing, toys, books and DVDs. Although prices are a bit higher than some competitors there is no way a brand like this could compete with some of the prices of the big brands (especially in the clothing range). As a special present I will definitely be buying something. There are animals to watch, games to play, and even Ted’s blog to read. Brilliant!

The DVD we watched is Mighty Maize Machine. It is just brilliant! I’ve never seen such an educational farm programme. The DVD begins with feeding the cows and a very full account of what ingredients are used to make their feed. The Maize machine is truly amazing (no pun intended) and there are loads more things to learn about like milking, grass foraging and cutting sheep nails. The songs that accompany the film are great but don’t take over the main emphasis. Great!

The filming is so honest. There’s no pretension or special effects, except for Tractor Ted appearing once in a while. Many childrens programmes flick from topic to topic really quickly whereas Tractor Ted focuses on one topic for a decent length so children actually learn a lot about it. This is not to say the film doesn’t cover loads. Just as the Maize machine is back in the farmyard the milk lorry arrives. The whole family learnt so much! One thing I love about it is that they don’t try and simplify everything and give all the machines ‘friendly’ names. This not only actually teaches children but means adults don’t get bored either.

I would love to have a party on Rob Hislop’s farm but fear the commute may be a little to much. We will, however, definitely be joining the fan club (and granddad too!)."

I'm delighted to be able to offer Rhoda Reviews readers the chance to win a pair of Tractor Ted wellies worth £18!

To be in with a chance of winning these fabulous wellies (in sizes 5-9) just complete the Rafflecopter entry form below.

Good luck!

For more information about Tractor Ted visit the website.

A sample DVD was received for the purposes of this review. Thank you to Tractor Ted for providing the prize for this giveaway. No other reward, financial or otherwise, was received in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely our own.

Perfume-Click.co.uk Review

2011-12-05T11:02:00.000Z

Well it's snowing outside today and it's making me feel VERY Christmassy.....only I can't get too carried away yet as we haven't actually finished the Christmas shopping!

More of us are turning to the internet to do our shopping these days - we certainly do in our house as it's minimum effort with great bargains.

I recently came across the site perfume-click.co.uk and was lucky enough to be asked to review their service.

Perfume-click.co.uk have great range of over 3000 fragrances available on their website. It is an easy to use website, with great prices and no registration required. I was sent an online voucher so that I could try out their service for myself and I was impressed.

I spent a while browsing the website before I decided to go for Kenzo Flower. Even once I'd decided on my fragrance I then had a choice of products and sizes.

I simply just selected by chosen fragrance and was taken to the checkout page.

A few clicks later, with the choice of paying through paypal, google checkout and Sage Pay, my fragrance was ordered and on it's way.

The product actually arrived very quickly and I was impressed by how well it was packed. I couldn't fault the service from Perfume-Click and any prices I looked at seemed to be very reasonable.

So instead of venturing out in the snow today to do your Christmas shopping why not have a look online and see what bargains you can find?

Perfume-Click are currently running a giveaway on their Facebook page with one winner for every 100 likes - it's worth a go!

For more information about Perfume-Click like them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter (@perfumeclick).

A sample was received for the purposes of this review. No other reward, financial or otherwise, was received in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Toddler Bath Wrap

2011-12-05T10:18:00.000Z

Today I have a guest review for you, written by Liz. Liz and the kids were sent a gorgeous Toddler Bath Wrap from the thebestbedlinenintheworld and over the past couple of weeks they have been testing it out at bathtime.

Toddler Bath Wrap - £15

The towels are 100% cotton and diamond shaped with a hood in one corner and are worn like a cape. They are available with either pink or blue trim and I have to say they are very cute! Before I passed the towel over to Liz I had to feel what it was like....wow it was beautifully soft.

So what did Liz have to say about the Bath Wrap?

"As soft as a baby’s bottom! At first you think ‘what is there to say about a towel?’ but then you start writing and find there’s actually quite a lot.

We have the small baby towels which are the same diamond shape but it’s amazing how quickly those little rascals grow and soon the once-snuggly towel just isn’t big enough to wrap your bundle of joy (not to mention sick, poo, dribble etc) in. I have looked for a towel identical, only bigger, but haven’t found one until now. The diamond shape allows you to wrap up even quite big children and get them warm, rather than the traditional rectangular towels. My nearly three-year-old son fits in it too although with the pink trim we decided not to photograph him. The size is perfect – big enough to keep the top of Sophie warm whilst drying her bottom and putting her nappy on even though she’s wriggling like crazy.

Sophie in her new towel.

I love the fabric – so soft and gentle on Sophie, with a cute pink trim that is just so girly! Easily washable and it dries really quickly as it’s not too thick. Sophie has loads of hair so the hood is great – keeping her head warm and drying her hair. She smiled and smiled when I wrapped her up in it.

This would make a fabulous present for someone – they may think it’s boring to receive a towel but once they open it they’ll think you’re great!"

The Toddler Bath Wrap is available to buy directly from thebestbedlinenintheworld for £15. The company don't just sell baby items, they also sell bedding, bath robes and towels. PLUS it's all FREE UK delivery!

For more information about thebestbedlinenintheworld and to keep up with all of their news you can follow them on Twitter (@thebestbedlinen) and like them on Facebook.

A sample was received for the purposes of this review. No other reward, financial or otherwise, was received in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely our own.

Freya Design Keepsake Box Giveaway - CLOSED

2011-12-03T12:05:00.001Z

I have a fabulous giveaway lined up for you all today, I'm very excited about it and I think you'll love it!

First things first though...let me introduce you to Freya Design. Freya Design have been creating beautiful solid wood keepsake boxes since 2004, but it was only recently that I discovered this great company.

Train - £29

We were lucky enough to be sent one of their train keepsake boxes to review recently and I have to admit that before giving it to Jonny I did toy with the idea of keeping it for myself!!

The box arrived in a lovely Freya Design white box and was very well packaged. As soon as I opened it I couldn't believe the quality. The box is beautifully finished, smooth and colourful.

I passed the box on to Liz and Jonny and here's what Liz had to say about it....

"The first test of the quality of the box and wrapping came when my two-year-old son, Jonny, decided to be useful and carry the parcel to the table, only to drop it onto the hard wood floor. The slogan ‘stay calm and carry on’ certainly rings true on so many occasions with children. And so, very gingerly, we unwrapped the box knowing we were possibly heading for disaster and having CBeebies and ice-cream at the ready to avert a meltdown (if this was for Jonny or me I am still unsure), only to discover that, thankfully, expert wrapping and a solid box (with no damage at all) had saved the day! I’m so pleased it did because this box is totally gorgeous and one of those gifts you look at and think ‘I would have loved this as a child' (and adult).

The design on the front is a gorgeous train with elevated wheels and driver and three little sheep around the edge. There is a plaque on the front with ‘My Special Things’ written on it and a blank plaque inside which can be personalised with a name. The inside of the box is plain wood and metal hinges gives the item a ‘clean’ finish.

As a two-year-old, Jonny can be a little rough with his toys (and baby sister) but we’re trying to get him to look after them. We’re quite strict about looking after books and jigsaws as children’s toys are certainly not indestructible. When we gave him the box we explained that he could choose some special things to keep safe and then we would look after the box to keep them safe. It appears the most special things to our son are stones (obviously a rounded young man) but the idea is still there!

The brand, Freya Design is environmentally aware so you know what you’re buying has been created for beauty through ethical means, using non-toxic paint. Wood is sourced from sustainable forests. Their beauty is in their simplicity; beautifully crafted traditional boxes with rounded corners and well-fitting lids. You can see and feel the quality immediately (unlike many other boxes I’ve seen in shops).

These are totally adorable boxes and I’ll definitely be putting them on the shopping list for Christmas."

Ballerina - £29

The lovely people at Freya Design have offered Rhoda Reviews readers the chance to get their hands on one of these gorgeous keepsake boxes! The winner will have their pick of the train, dinosaur, car, boat, ballerina, mermaid, pea and thumbelina boxes.

To be in with a chance of winning just complete the Rafflecopter form below (if it doesn't appear first time please refresh the page). Please remember to read all the instructions.

Good luck!!!

Freya Design keepsake boxes would make a lovely Christmas present or would be great for new babies, birthdays and Christenings. They can be personalised (for an additional charge) to really make them the perfect gift.

For more information about Freya Design visit their website, like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter (freyadesign).

A train keepsake box was received for the purposes of this review. Thank you to Freya Design for providing the prize for this giveaway. No other reward, financial or otherwise, was received in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely our own.

Accessories Direct Review & Discount Code

2011-12-02T10:39:00.000Z

I've said before how much I love finding new companies and recently I had the pleasure of discovering Accessories Direct!

Accessories Direct is "Your One Stop fashion accessories destination to instantly update your look". They have everything from jewellery to handbags and umbrellas to sunglasses - plus everything is bang on trend!

I was lucky enough to be sent one of Accessories Direct's beautiful bags - the Kate Benjamin Leather Satchel which is exclusively available at Accessories Direct.

The bag arrived well packaged and in its own wee black bag - I do love a bag in a bag!!! I opened the black bag and the gorgeous smell of new leather wafted out at me! My senses piqued, I couldn't wait to actually set my eyes on the bag itself .... I instantly fell in love!!

The bag is made from beautifully soft leather and can be carried over the shoulder or by the handle. I love the fact that it's an over the shoulder bag as I often have problems balancing my handbag and using my stick - no more! The satchel is fastened with two magnetic fasteners meaning it's easy to access when you need to, but certainly isn't unsafe.

So picture the scene. There I am with a bag that came in a bag, I'm blown away by the quality of the outside of the satchel and loving the feel of the leather. So what do I do next? Well naturally I open the bag and believe it or not this bag just got even better!

The bag is lined with a beautiful floral print on a turquoise background. It really finishes off the bag fantastically and I love flashing open the bag to show off the interior! What's more it's designed with the user in mind - a handy, secure mobile phone pouch and a zipped pocket mean that you wont lose your phone and keys at the bottom of your bag! The bag itself has plenty of room, whether you're using this bag for work or social purposes I'm sure you'll find this bag fits the bill.

adjustable strap

Just one thing though.....keep your eye on this bag, I showed it to my sister the other day and had to frisk her as she left the house to make sure she hadn't pinched it! It's gorgeous and everyone I've shown absolutely adores it. I'm a very lucky lady and for once I have a handbag that I'm really proud of.

I'm absolutely delighted to tell you that Accessories Direct are offering Rhoda Reviews readers 20% off non-sale items! So I've you're still doing your Christmas shopping then look no further!

To take advantage of this fantastic offer just input this exclusive code - FESTIVE - at the checkout. The code is valid until 9th December 2011 so why not pop over to Accessories Direct now and have a wee peek.......or perhaps send a link to your favourite product along with this code to your loved ones, you never know they might just take the hint!

I feel very privileged to have been asked to review for Accessories Direct and now that I've found this site I'll definitely be visiting it frequently!

For more information about Accessories Direct visit their website, Facebook or Twitter @ADaccessories) page.

HEADS UP! You know how I love a good giveaway, well Accessories Direct have a fabulous competition on their Facebook page right now - you could win a Kate Benjamin bag of your choice by signing up to their bi-monthly newsletter! There also seems to be daily TREAT at the moment - fab!

The Kate Benjamin Leather Satchel I received is available on the Accessories Direct website for £140.

A Kate Benjamin Leather Satchel was received in exchange for this review. Thank you to Accessories Direct for providing our readers with the discount code. No other reward, financial or otherwise, was received in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Christmas with Hotel Chocolat

2011-11-30T09:20:00.000Z

With Christmas fast approaching (it's December tomorrow - eeek) it's that time when you start to think of potential presents for friends and family. Sometimes it really is hard to buy something for the person who seems to have everything....or for the person that is insistent that they don't want a gift! So what do I buy people like that? CHOCOLATES!!

We were lucky enough to be sent a box of Hotel Chocolat's Sleekster Classic Christmas Selection recently to try - wow what a lovely treat!

Hotel Chocolat were founded 15 years ago by two individuals with one goal in mind - to make a better type of chocolate available to UK consumers bored by the mediocrity of that available in supermarkets and on the high street. 15 years on they have successfully accomplished this mission, with a successful website and even Hotel Chocolat stores appearing on High Streets.

I first came across Hotel Chocolat when my Mother-In-Law sent me a sampling box and I was immediately impressed by the quality of the chocolate. I'm a big fan of dark chocolate and their dark chocolate really is gorgeous!

So I was very excited when the Sleekster Classic Christmas Selection appeared through the door. My first impression was how Christmassy the box looked. As you would expect it looked high quality, inviting and festive. Naturally we didn't sit around long admiring the box, we HAD to dig into the contents....

Well we most definitely weren't disappointed. Even the chocolates looked festive (all 28 of them) and since there are two of most flavours you wont find yourself fighting with your other half over who gets what!

With flavours ranging from gingerbread, cherry florentines, cinnamon, rum, chilli, mulled wine and praline there's something for everyone! I have to say that I loved all of the flavours and they all felt and tasted very festive. The menu card clearly explains the chocolates that contain alcohol and how strong you can expect that alcohol to taste - a great idea and very accurate.

All in all we LOVED this selection of chocolates and I would certainly not be disappointed if I found this lovely box under the tree on Christmas Day.......the only thing is I might have to share them with all the family!

The Sleekster Classic Christmas Selection is available from the Hotel Chocolat website for £22.....buy three or more and get them for £20 each.

For the full range of Hotel Chocolat's Chocolate Christmas Gifts and Stocking Fillers visit their website. You can also find out more about Hotel Chocolat on their Facebook page or by following them on Twitter (@HotelChocolat).

A sample box of chocolates was received for the purposes of this review. No other reward, financial or otherwise, was received in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Pink Sumo Review, Discount and Giveaway - CLOSED

2011-11-27T14:02:00.001Z

I recently received a tweet about a company called Pink Sumo. I'd never heard of them before so I popped over to their website to take a look. I have to say I was impressed, they have a huge range of gifts, from the novelty and quirky to the useful and what's more it's all quite reasonably priced!

Pink Sumo have been in business for two years and is a growing family business. They know that in these hard financial times we still all want to buy gifts but need to watch the pennies so they've made it their mission to help you find a present that is cool, unique and doesn't break the bank!

I was lucky enough to be offered my pick of the Pink Sumo website and was sent a box full of lovely goodies! Let me share them with you.

Like Mug Tea or Coffee - £5.99

I'm sure we all know someone who loves their cuppas and Facebook equally! I'm more of a Twitter girl myself but I do spend my fair share of time on Facebook with a cup of coffee in my hand so I love this mug. It would make a great Christmas gift, is nice quality and is only £5.99.....a secret Santa present perhaps?

MonKeys Set - £3.99

I'm sure I'm not alone in having so many keys that it takes ages to find the right one! Well not anymore! I've now customised my keys with MonKeys so there's no standing out in the pouring rain trying to find the front door key any more. I love these, they are so cute, fun and at £3.99 for six they wont break the bank!

T-Shirt Graffiti Pens - £4.99

I saw these graffiti pens and fell in love! What a fun, fabulous and cheap way to brighten up old clothes..or customise new ones. Next time you have a party/event where personalised tshirts are on the go, why not save some money and have some fun creating your own? I really do think this is a great gift....for kids and adults alike!

Friendship Bracelet Kit - £8.95

When we were kids we used to LOVE making Friendship Bracelets. Although I have to say we weren't as sophisticated as this kit - we just used scraps of wool! How I would have loved this kit as a child. It comes with a full colour book which gives instructions on how to make 5 patterns, 12 different coloured threads and coloured safety pins to help keep it all in place as you create your bracelet. Again this would make a great Christmas present and I'm sure it would keep kids entertained for hours!

So there you have it, the contents of my Pink Sumo box - how lucky am I? Well Pink Sumo have TWO treats for Rhoda Reviews readers today!

The first is a..

DISCOUNT CODE!!!!!!

Yeup, Rhoda Reviews readers can claim a 15% discount on the Pink Sumo website by entering the code rhodareviews at the checkout! Perfect for helping you with your Christmas shopping!

Pink Sumo are also offering Rhoda Reviews readers the chance to win a mystery box of gifts worth £50!!!! I think you'll agree this is a fab prize! To enter just complete the entry form below but PLEASE make sure you read the instructions properly!

Good luck!!

For more information about Pink Sumo and their range of gifts visit their website, follow them on Twitter (@PinkSumo) or "like" them on Facebook.

A box of goodies from Pink Sumo was received for the purposes of this review. Thank you to Pink Sumo for providing the prizes for this giveaway. No other reward, financial or otherwise, was received in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Far Far Away Books Review & Giveaway - CLOSED

2011-11-25T10:02:00.001Z

I've been a bit quiet recently but I do still have some fantastic giveaways lined up for you - it's just the problem of getting my mind and body cooperating long enough to write about them!

Today I have a gorgeous bundle of books from Far Far Away Books to give away.

I was sent a bundle of these books to review for myself and I'm very impressed with them. I was immediately taken with The Three Little Pigs... Retold and Illustrated by Little Red Riding Hood. A beautifully illustrated and high quality first edition hardback with a twist on the traditional story. I gave it to Jonny to read for his bedtime story and he loves it! It's aimed at children aged 2 - 5 years and was only launched in the UK last month. It would make a fabulous Christmas present....it's just a shame that I'm about 23 years too old!!

Among the books I was sent was also Rabbitwood, another beautifully illustrated, linen-bound high quality hardback. A story of the oldest rabbit family in the world - The Hobblestones - and of the unlikely friendship between the eldest of the clan and a fox. This is exactly the kind of book I would have loved as a child!

The lovely people at Far Far Away are offering Rhoda Reviews readers the chance to get their hands on a bundle of their fabulous books! To be in with a chance of winning just complete the entry form below - remember to read the instructions carefully!

Not only do Far Far Away books produce fabulous, traditional stories but they also care about the environment. For every book that is sold Far Far Away will plant a tree! Personally I love this, it's such a fantastic idea and adds to the beauty of these books.

Far Far Away books are available from all good bookshops and www.farfarawaybooks.com.

Five books were received for the purposes of this review. Thank you to Far Far Away for providing the prize for this giveaway. No other reward, financial or otherwise, was received in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Reading Chest Giveaway - CLOSED

2011-11-17T18:14:00.001Z

Today I have another fantastic Blogiversary giveaway for you....I think you're going to love it!!

Christmas is quickly approaching and although I've got about half of our presents sorted I'm on the look out for some "different" ideas. You know the kind I mean, the ones where people open them and say "wow what a great idea".

Well I was recently sent an email about a company called Reading Chest and I heard myself utter those very words.

Reading Chest is the UK's first through-the-post book rental service that specialises in reading material for children from ages 4 to 9 years. It is based on reading schemes used in UK schools and works in a similar way to DVD rental services.

We are huge fans of reading and I love giving books as gifts, but all too often with children they only read them once or grow out of them quickly. I really like the idea of the Reading Chest as you can give a subscription as a gift.

How does it work? Well you first of all decide on the subscription you would like. These are available in bronze (up to 6 books a month), silver (up to 12 books a month & multiple reading lists) and gold (unlimited supply of books and multiple book lists). Each subscription is available for a 3 month, 6 month or 12 month subscription.

Once you've signed up you simply set up your preferences (e.g. children's reading level, fiction, non-fiction) to create a book list for your child. Then sit back and wait for your first delivery of books to appear! Once you've finished with the books you just send them back in the pre-paid envelope, then wait for the next batch to appear.

It's actually really simple and easy to use. For more information on how it works check out the Reading Chest website. The thing to note is that there are no due dates and no late fees - great for Mums!

Each 3 month subscription comes complete with a book bag, reward chart, stickers and a choice of book to keep! There are also certificates to download on the website and your child can try their hand at being a critic by submitting their review to the website!

The lovely people at Reading Chest have offered Rhoda Reviews readers the chance to get their hands on a 3 month subscription! To be in with a chance of winning just complete the Rafflecopter form below. Please remember to read the instructions for the blog post section so you know what to do. Thanks.

Good luck!!

For more information about Reading Chest or to purchase a subscription visit their website. Prices start at £25 for a three month subscription.

Thank you to Reading Chest for providing the prize for this giveaway. No other reward, financial or otherwise, was received in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely our own.

Raising Money For The ME Association

2011-11-17T15:24:00.000Z

Last month I blogged for the first time about my life with M.E. (you can find my post here). I have been absolutely overwhelmed by the response this post received - thank you all for taking the time to read, comment, tweet, email and text about it. I can't begin to explain how much it means to me!

We received an email the other day from a good friend of ours, Fraser. Fraser is running a 15k in Washington DC next month and asked if he could run in aid of the ME Association. I have to say that I just burst into tears when I read his email - what a fabulous friend! Of course my response was YES!

Fraser

The ME Association is a charity who provide information, support and advice to people affected by M.E./CFS. They also fund and support research into this debilitating condition, as well as offering training and education.

Fraser at Our Wedding.

If you would like to make a donation to the ME Association and sponsor Fraser for his run please visit his Just Giving page. Any donation, no matter how small, would be greatly appreciated particularly in these hard financial times.

Thank you.

Rhoda x

Get Ready For Christmas with Delicious Magazine

2011-11-15T09:51:00.000Z

As it's mid-November (yes I know, it's really sneaked up on us this year hasn't it?) most people are turning their thoughts to Christmas. Personally I've bought about half of our presents so far which I'm quite pleased about but we haven't given any thought to food over the Christmas holidays.

I was recently sent a copy of the December edition of delicious magazine and it really is just bursting with ideas.

I love flicking through recipes and getting ideas, so I've been in my element reading the latest edition of delicious.

As well as having some normal, day-to-day recipes this edition focusses upon Christmas. With a host of suggestions from celebrity chefs, ideas for Christmas dinner for two as well as for a big family there's something for everyone in it.

My favourite features though are the ones that help to save you time, money and energy! Delicious have undertaken the "big Christmas taste test" where they have compared Christmas treats from all the leading supermarkets. They give their verdict on the best Christmas Cakes, Mince Pies, Mincemeat, Stollen, Panettone and Christmas pudding. There are quite a few surprises in there and it goes to show that sometimes the most expensive isn't necessarily the best!

Delicious have collated recipes with everything from bread sauce to pre-dinner cocktails, there's some fantastic looking dishes in there. More than that though they've highlighted those which can be prepared or even made ahead to save you time and energy on Christmas Day! There's even a list of timings for your Christmas Dinner so that you don't misjudge things. If you're looking to try something different this Christmas then I'd recommend you take a wee look at this, it will certainly help reduce the stress levels on the day!

My final favourite feature is their gift ideas. Delicious have selected their top gifts for cooks, as well as the best cook books of the year. If, however, you want to make your own gifts this year they have even included a few recipes that can be made ahead and given as beautiful gifts - handmade and money saving, what could be better?

So there you have it, my favourite three features from the December edition of delicious magazine. Of course there are also a couple of fantastic competitions in the magazine too!

Delicious is available from all good newsagents and supermarkets for £3.60. It's bound to get you in the festive mood!

A sample copy of delicious magazine was received for the purposes of this review. No other reward, financial or otherwise, was received in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely our own.

A Day For Remembering

2011-11-11T08:54:00.003Z

Today is a day for remembering. Remembering those who have fought for our country, those who still fight for our country. A day to remember those who have died and a day to remember those whose lives changed forever.

Image from weheartit.com

Since words fail me on this day I've chosen to share three of my favourite poems with you.

My first is so famous it requires no introduction.

In Flanders Fields

John McCrae, May 1915

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

My second is An Iolaire / The Iolaire by Iain Crichton Smith. On the 1st January 1919 300 men were heading home to the Isle of Lewis after 4 years at war on board the HMY Iolaire. Less than a mile from home the ship got into trouble and sank. 205 young men who had survived WWI lost their lives within sight of their home island.

The Iolaire

Iain Crichton Smith

The green washed over them. I saw them when
the New Year brought them home. It was a day
that orbed the horizon with an enigma.
It seemed that there were masts. It seemed that men
buzzed in the water round them. It seemed that fire
shone in the water which was thin and white
unravelling towards the shore. It seemed that I
touched my fixed hat which seemed to float and then
the sun illuminated fish and naval caps,
names of the vanished ships. In sloppy waves,
in the fat of water, they came floating home
bruising against their island. It is true
a minor error can inflict this death
that star is not responsible. It shone
over the puffy blouse, the flapping blue
trousers, the black boots. The seagulls swam
bonded to the water. Why not man?
The lights were lit last night, the tables creaked
with hoarded food. They willed the ship to port
in the New Year which would erase the old,
its errant voices, its unpractised tones.
Have we done ill, I ask? My sober hat
floated in the water, my fixed body
a simulacrum of the transient waste,
for everything was mobile, planks that swayed,
the keeling ship exploding and the splayed
cold insect bodies. I have seen your church
solid. This is not. The water pours
into the parting timbers where ache
above the globular eyes. The lsack heads turn
ringing the horizon without a sound
with mortal bells, a strange exuberant flower
unknown to our dry churchyards. I look up.
The sky begins to brighten as before,
remorseless amber, and the bruised blue grows
at the erupting edges. I have known you, God,
not as the playful one but as the black
thunderer from the hills. I kneel
and touch this dumb blonde head. My hand is scorched.
Its human quality confuses me.
I have not felt such hair so dear before
not seen such real eyes. I kneel from you.
This water soaks me. I am running with
its tart sharp joy. I am floating here
In my black uniform, I am embraced
by these green ignorant waters. I am calm

My final poem is also a well known Gaelic song. It was written in memory of Gordon MacPherson, a 21 year old from Argyll who lost his life in the Falklands War, in June 1982.

It's one of my favourite Gaelic songs, you can listen to is here under "Eist".

Nam Aonar Le Mo Smaointean

(Alone With My Thoughts)

Nam aonar le mo smaointean
'S a' ghaoth tighinn bho thuath,
Grian òr-bhuidh' mar ghrìosaich
Cur teine air chuan;
Na caoraich sholt cho sàmhach
Len àl sa chnoc mhòr,
Ciaradh feasgair cur a glòir
Air faileas dubh le òr.

Na sabhalan fàs gun mullach
Na taighean bha làn,
An-diugh cho fuar 's cho falamh
Am fearann dol bàn;
Gun chrann ann, gun speal ann
Gun lìon ann, gun bhàt',
Èigheach cogaidh a thug bhuainn
Na balaich thuit sa bhlàr.

Ma chlaoidh sinne nàmhaid
An-dràst' faic prìs buaidh,
Cridhe màthar cràidhte
'S na gillean san uaigh;
Cha dèan cliù no onair
Treabhadh dhuinn no buain,
Cianail, falamh, sìth a' bhàis
Cha till na fir chaidh uainn.

Aig uaigh fhuar Mhic a' Phearsain
'S an sneachda air Peighinn Phùir,
Chluich a' phìob port thuiridh
Am peilear bhrag cruaidh;
An cogadh faoin nam Falklands
Thuit Gòrdan ro òg,
'N-uiridh, balach san sgoil àrd;
An-diugh, a bhàs ar leòn.

A' ghrian tha dol sìos oirnne
Air prèiridh cur blàiths,
Oidhche tha gar dùnadh
Dùsgadh do chàch;
Aig feasgar dorch ar cùrsa
Feith' dùsgadh là mhòir,
Ciaradh maidne cur a glòir
Air faileas dubh le òr.

Iain MacLeod

Image from weheartit.com

"They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old."

For The Fallen, Laurence Binyon

Leisure & Jo Pratt Recipes PLUS Giveaway - CLOSED

2011-11-09T09:58:00.001Z

I think you have all gathered by now that I like my food! I used to love cooking and baking and I'm so determined that I'm going to get back to it very soon.

I'm one of those people that finds flicking through a recipe book relaxing....whenever I see a recipe book I can't help but pick it up and flick through it!

I was recently sent through some recipes by TV Chef Jo Pratt. Jo has joined forces with range cooker specialist Leisure to create a series of simple, yet delicious, recipes to inspire more people to cook and bake at home.

I've picked two of the recipes to share with you - I think these look fab and so tasty!

BLUEBERRY MUFFINS

Preparation time - 20 mins

Makes 12 (Easy)

Ingredients

250ml milk
50ml vegetable oil
½ tsp vanilla extract
1 large egg, lightly beaten
75g caster sugar
250g plain flour
3 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
200g blueberries

Streusel topping:

25g plain flour
2 tbsp Demerara sugar
15g cold butter
you will also need a 12 hole muffin tin lined with 12 muffin cases

Method

Pre-heat the oven to 200ºC/fan 180ºC fan oven/gas 6.

First of all, you need to prepare the streusel topping by rubbing together the flour, Demerara and butter until you have a crumble consistency.

To make the muffins mix together the wet ingredients (milk, oil, vanilla extract and beaten egg).

Add the sugar, flour, baking powder and salt. Mix briefly, just enough to moisten the flour, giving you a lumpy batter. Keeping it slightly lumpy will ensure lighter muffins once cooked. Fold in the blueberries and then divide the mixture between the 12 muffin cases.

Scatter the streusel mixture over the top of each muffin and then place in the oven to cook for 20-25 minutes until they are golden. Once cooked, cool slightly before leaving to cool further on a wire rack.

PECAN PIE

Preparation time - 30 mins plus 20-30 mins resting time

Serves 8

For the pastry

· 150g plain flour

· 1 tablespoon caster sugar

· a pinch of salt

· 100g unsalted butter, chilled and cut into cubes

For the filling

· 250g pecan halves

· 3 large eggs, beaten

· 125g golden syrup

· 175g soft brown sugar

· 3 tablespoons whisky or orange juice

· 40g unsalted butter, melted

· 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

· you will also need a 23 to 24cm loose–bottomed tart tin

First of all, you will need to make the pastry. Place the flour, sugar and salt in a food processor or mixing bowl and blitz or rub in the butter until it resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add 2 tablespoons of cold water and bind until it just comes together, adding a little more water if it is needed. Knead very lightly on a floured surface to form a smooth dough. Roll out and line the tart tin. Prick the base several times with a fork and chill in the fridge for about 20 to 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 200ºC/fan 180ºC fan oven/gas 6.

Line the chilled pastry case with a piece of greaseproof paper and fill with a layer of baking beans or rice. Cook for 15 minutes. Remove the paper, brush the base with a little of the beaten egg and cook for a further 5 minutes until the pastry is just becoming golden.

During the last 5 minutes of cooking the pastry, spread the pecan nuts on baking tray and toast them in the oven for 5 minutes. Remove and leave to cool slightly.

Reduce the oven temperature to 160ºC/fan 140ºC/gas 2–3.

Roughly chop half the pecans and mix with all the rest of the filling ingredients, including the whole pecans. Pour and spread into the pastry case. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the centre is just set.

Serve warm with the extra-thick cream, clotted cream or ice cream, or cold with pouring cream.

PS…

If you don’t have time or prefer not to make your own pastry, use about 300g bought shortcrust pastry and sprinkle over 1-2 tablespoons of caster sugar while you roll it out to add a little sweetness.

I think you'll agree that these both look great! If this has whetted your appetite then pop over to the Leisure Recipe Gallery to view all the cookery demonstration videos in the collection.

As it's the first birthday of Rhoda Reviews, Leisure have kindly offered Rhoda Reviews readers the opportunity to win a set of Leisure oven gloves and a tea towel. There are five sets to give away. To enter just complete the Rafflecopter form below.

Good luck!!

For more information about Leisure range cookers visit their website. They also have a fab competition on their site to win a Leisure Range 100 Cooker, it closes on 5th December 2011. Worth a go!!

Thank you to Leisure for providing the prizes for this giveaway. No other reward, financial or otherwise, was received in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely our own.

Need-2-Know Books Giveaway - CLOSED

2011-11-08T14:37:00.001Z

It's time for the second of our blogiversary giveaways! Today the lovely people at Need-2-Know are offering Rhoda Reviews readers the chance to get their hands on a book of their choice.

Need-2-Know have a huge range of books on their website on a wide range of subjects. From parent issues to health issues, nutritional advice to emotional issues, there really is something for everyone.

I was lucky enough to be sent a copy of their Student Cookbook to review.

I remember when I first left home for University I was given a few "student cookbooks" to take with me. They were pretty hard to follow and I never felt the recipes were particularly healthy, they focussed more on the easiness of recipes and cooking, rather than ensuring that meals were easy and healthy. To be honest I soon ditched the books and made do with what I already knew how to do.

I would have loved a book like the Student Cookbook from Need-2-Know. Not only do their recipes sound fantastic but they are easy to understand and well laid out. Each recipe comes with a breakdown of the nutritional value of the meal so you know exactly what you are eating!

The book is full of tips, including what you should stock your student kitchen with, cooking basics, recipes that can help to destress you or lift your mood. It's a great reference tool and although it's a while since I was a student I plan to use a lot of these recipes. After all in these hard financial times we are all trying to save money but maintain our health aren't we?

Need-2-Know have offered Rhoda Reviews readers the chance to win their choice of book from the Need-2-Know range.

To enter just complete the steps on the rafflecopter form below. PLEASE remember to read the instructions though so that your entry is valid!

Good luck!!

For more information about Need-2-Know books visit their website and follow them on Twitter (@need2knowbooks).

Thank you to Need-2-Know books for providing the prize for this giveaway. No other reward, financial or otherwise, was received in exchange for this post. All opinons expressed are entirely my own.

Tekkers Hoodie Giveaway - CLOSED

2011-11-07T09:27:00.003Z

This month marks the first birthday of my blog (or blogiversary if you will). To celebrate the occasion we have some great giveaways lined up for you......starting today with this fantastic giveaway from Tekkers.

Tekkers is a cultural clothing brand with football at the centre of its gravity. Many of you will know how much I ADORE football so I'm very excited to be able to team up with Tekkers!

Tekkers was launched by Wayne Rooney's Sky One Street Striker co-presenter and former football ace Andy Ansah, who coined the term "Unbelievable Tekkers".

Andy Ansah on Soccer AM

Tekkers is a high quality brand that is hugely popular in the world of celebrities. Sporting legends such as Wayne Rooney, Ronaldo, Ashley Cole and Rory McIlroy are fans of the brand, but it's not only men...X Factor's Tulisa is also a fan! (click here to find out who else is wearing Tekkers)

One thing I love about this company is the fact that they really seem to care. They offer a 14-day no quibble returns policy. This really takes the stress out of things if you have chosen the wrong size or changed your mind!

I have to say that if you have a football fan in your life you should seriously consider a Tekkers product as their Christmas gift. Personally I would be delighted to wake up to a Tekkers hoodie underneath the Christmas tree. With items from t-shirts to bags, ladies vests to hoodies there's something for everyone. I'm actually really hoping that Santa is reading this post and might get the hint for Christmas!

I am extremely excited, and very jealous, to announce that Tekkers have offered Rhoda Reviews readers the chance to win one of their gorgeous hoodies worth £40.

To be in with a chance of winning simply complete the Rafflecopter form below. It's pretty self explanatory but please do contact me if you are having problems. You will need javascript enable to enter.

EDIT - Please remember to leave a blog comment too with your favourite item from Tekkers (see first entry).

For more information about Tekkers check out their website, follow them on Twitter (@OfficialTekkers) - they have comps! - and like them on Facebook.

Thank you to Tekkers for providing the prize for this giveaway. No other reward, financial or otherwise, was received in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely our own.

Annabel's Kitchen DVD

2011-11-06T08:15:00.000Z

Regular readers might remember that back in July we reviewed Annabel's Kitchen, the book that accompanies the CiTV series with the fabulous Annabel Karmel (missed it? check it out here). Well today we have the pleasure of reviewing the Annabel's Kitchen DVD!

Award-winning children's food expert Annabel Karmel has teamed up with CiTV to bring nine of her best episodes from the TV series to DVD. Karmel and her penguin helpers, Jimmy and Pearl, inspire children and adults alike to have fun in the kitchen and try new, healthy, foods!

Liz and Jonny were lucky enough to be sent a copy of the DVD....here's what they thought.

"Jonny loves cooking and penguins so Annabel Karmel has really hit the nail on the head with this one! Recipes are easy to follow and, as it’s Annabel, there are lots of healthy options. Jonny loves cooking and usually makes ‘in a fashion’ his own sandwiches and helps make the tea on a night time. We put a huge emphasis on eating as a family as often as possible, and if we can make it into an activity then all the better. Encouraging kids to cook and explore different fruits and vegetables (as well as cakes...) is so important and really does help them to eat a huge range of food.

The DVD itself is hilarious with singing cups cakes and other delights! Children’s TV writers really know how to capture the attention of their young audience; Jonny was cracking up with laughter when, to be honest, I couldn’t really see what he was laughing about (although maybe that says more about me than him...) The acting is questionable at times but then you wouldn’t really expect any less. I take my hat off to Annabel for giving it a go in order to promote healthy eating (although she is so thin I wonder whether she eats more than a carrot and two strawberries per day).

Annabel’s recipes are so easy to follow and she gives guidance all the way to tell you what vitamins and minerals are in certain foods and why we should eat them. The first episode, about penguins winning races, focused on food to give energy. It only lasted about ten minutes but within that time they had made two recipes. Other episodes include making party food (including a very cool watermelon pig), homemade ‘take-away’ food and lots more.

The DVD accompanies the recipe book of the same name so even the most kitchen-phobic parents can follow what to do, encouraging both parents and their little ‘darlings’ to give it a go. I will certainly be buying both the book and DVD for presents for years to come.

A very enjoyable DVD that encourages everyone to have a go. My favourite thing has to be the cauliflower sheep that crosses the screen between scenes. Each episode finishes with the penguins, helpers and penguins sitting at a table eating what they have made which sets such a good example to every family. There are follow up recipes and material on the DVD and internet. Well done Annabel Karmel!"

To give you a taste of the kind of foods you can expect from this DVD I have included two of Annabel's recipes below - they look fantastic...and fun!

Fruity Fish Dip

You will need

225g cream cheese

100g lemon curd

Half tsp lemon juice

Finely grated zest of half a lemon

Decoration

6 strawberries, thinly sliced

1 blueberry

2 slices kiwi fruit

Method

Beat together the cream cheese, lemon curd, lemon juice and zest.

Put in a round bowl and chill for 30 minutes.

Decorate with strawberry scales, kiwi fins and a blueberry as an eye.

Lamb Biryani

Information

Makes 4 to 6 portions

Cook time 20 minutes

Prep time 10 minutes

Not suitable for freezing

You will need

225g basmati rice

150g frozen peas

2 tbsp oil

1 large onion, chopped

1 tsp fresh ginger, grated

Half tsp garam masala

Quarter tsp turmeric powder

25g raisins

25g butter

1 tbsp mango chutney

350g leftover cooked lamb, diced

Some flaked almonds (optional)

Method

Cook the rice in boiling salted water until tender and add the peas 5 minutes before the end of the cooking time then drain.

Meanwhile heat the oil in a saucepan, and sauté the onion and ginger until soft. Add the spices, raisins, butter, mango chutney and lamb and cook for 4 to 5 minutes.

Stir in the cooked rice and peas and sprinkle with the flaked almonds if using.

ENJOY!!

For more information about Annabel's Kitchen visit the website that accompanies the series. Further information about Annabel Karmel can be found on her website.

A sample DVD was received for the purposes of this review. No other reward, financial or otherwise, was received in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely our own.

Zippo Candle Lighter Giveaway Winner

2011-11-03T07:40:00.000Z

Thank you to everyone who took to the time to enter the Zippo Candle Lighter Giveaway. I have absolutely loved reading all of your memories and thoughts on Hallowe'en - thank you for sharing!

The winner of the Zippo Candle Lighter, as selected by random.org, is ............

Paula (@yeolderockchick)

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Please drop me an email (see top left of blog) with your details so we can get your prize sent out to you.

A huge thank you to Zippo for providing the prize for this giveaway.

If you weren't lucky enough to win, you could always treat yourself to a Zippo Candle Lighter (there's a really cute snowflake one, perfect for Christmas), available from the Zippo website with an RRP of £10.15.

Happy Birthday Pat DVD

2011-11-03T07:21:00.000Z

This year has seen the 30th birthday of Pat Clifton. Who I hear you ask? Well none other than the loveable Postman Pat! As a child I used to love Postman Pat - I even had Postman Pat bed covers so I'm delighted to be involved in celebrating his birthday.

We are slightly late in wishing Pat a Happy Birthday, after all his birthday was in September....but none the less it is great to see the longest running animated TV series on the BBC reach this great milestone.

Liz, Jonny and Sophie were lucky enough to be sent a copy of the limited edition "Happy Birthday Pat" DVD to review. With 8 special episodes, as well as a free 15 track party CD, it certainly kept Jonny enthralled!

"This product was a saviour after five days of constant rain, freezing temperatures and illness. I loved Postman Pat as a child and it’s lovely to see my children enjoying it too! One of the best things is the episodes are a decent length so you can just chose one or two to watch at a time. Our favourite has to be the Greendale Rocket; Jonny now runs round the house pretending to be that train constantly.

Postman Pat is just pure, wholesome entertainment promoting a world you would want your child to grow up in. It promotes a setting in which the community is at the heart of everyone’s lives and everyone helps each other whenever they can. The number of friends I have who don’t even know their neighbours is astounding and a really sad reflection of society today. Any show that encourages children to have a sense of community, get to know the neighbours and help people out when they can is good in my book. Anyway, enough ranting about the trouble with society today. There’s all the usual stuff about making friends with your peer group and looking after each other too.

This is not the ‘Special Delivery Service’ up-dated version of Postman Pat and I like that. Jonny has watched both versions and is more than happy to watch either.

The extra CD is fabulous – many hours have been spent dancing away (especially to the track with the Greendale Rocket on it!). How great that you can exercise before relaxing in front of the television. It’s like television without any guilt!"

This is a great DVD for Postman Pat fans and will offer hours of entertainment. On this birthday Pat announced that he will be starring in his first ever feature-film - Postman Pat: The Movie - You Know You're The One will hit the big screen in spring 2013...something to look forward to!

A sample DVD was received for the purposes of this review. No other reward, financial or otherwise, was received in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely our own.

Top 10 Anti-Ageing Foods for Autumn.

2011-11-02T12:53:00.001Z

It's a bit later than usual (sorry) but here is the latest post from Philip Weeks (master herbalist & acupuncturist).

Why not make an Autumnal anti-ageing soup?

Sweet potato

The proteins in sweet potato have been observed to have significant antioxidant qualities, specifically chlorogenic acid. Which encourage the body’s self repair mechanisms.

Beetroot

Stress makes us age more quickly, so any food which helps to make us more relaxed is going to help stave off old father time. Beetroot contains Betain, which chemically makes the body more relaxed, naturally.

Watercress

Containing abundant amounts of Lutein and Zeaxanthin, types of carotenoids that act as antioxidants. These particularly protect against ageing of the skin and in some studies have shown that those who have an abundance of this antioxidant in their diet had ‘younger lungs’

Parsnips

Not just for Christmas Dinner. Parsnips have the correct blend of nutritional components that help the nails, hair, skin and nails. The vitamin C, phosphorus, and potassium help encourage the production of collagen which declines, as we get older leading to the skin drying out and becoming thinner.

Carrots

The carotenoids in carrots have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease. One study in the united states, which was carried out on more than a 1000 people, revealed that those eating at least one serving of carrots a day had a 60% reduction in their risk of heart attack, compared to those who had a diet lower in carotenoids.

Butternut Squash

They contain an abundance of folic acid. This nutrient naturally helps breaks down a substance called homocysteine, which is a body by-product. Those with lower levels of homocysteine are less likely to get dementia and heart disease.

Onions

Onions contain a unique compound called ‘Onionin A’ which prevents the body from developing inflammation. Some researchers believe that ageing is caused by low level inflammation and that we need to eat foods that help prevent this process.

Ginger

Can prevent the appearance of age spots because of the ingredient gingerol. This constituent promotes an anti ageing substance called superoxide dismutase, which can inhibit their appearance.

Garlic

Antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, and yes…antisocial! The king of anti-ageing foods, lives up to its name because of the concentration of sulphur compounds. The sulphur compounds promote arterial flexibility and keeps our blood pressure under control by dilating out arteries.

Black Pepper

The substance piperine in the humble peppercorn has been shown to massively increase the bioavailability of the nutrients in foods. In one study it increased the absorption by up to 2000%! By adding freshly ground pepper in any recipe increases the medicinal benefit of all the other ingredients.

To make anti-ageing autumn soup:

Lightly Steam all the vegetables, once cooked take ¾ of the vegetables out of the steamer and blend with the mineral rich liquid stock at the bottom of the steamer. Fry onions and garlic in olive oil, add liberal amounts of black pepper. Add the rest of the chopped vegetables and cook for 20 minutes, and garnish with chopped watercress, add salt to taste. Served with freshly baked crusty bread…. delicious.

Philip Weeks can be contacted through his website - www.philipweeksclinic.co.uk

All images from weheartit.com

Hallowe'en Vimto Cocktails

2011-10-30T11:15:00.000Z

Keeping with the Hallowe'en theme this week...... I give you non-alcoholic Vimto Hallowe'en cocktails!

To mark the launch of Vimto's new Limited Edition Hallowe'en themed bottles they have come up with a variety of non-alcoholic cocktails that are perfect for Hallowe'en parties.

Eyeball Surprise

A supernaturally simple concoction that every stylish spectre will be drinking this Halloween.

Use an ice cream scoop to make two ‘eyeballs’ of ice cream and press jelly sweets into each one to create the pupils. Place them in the bottom of a tall chilled goblet and recite a witches incantation. Fill the glass two thirds full of devilishly delicious fizzy Vimto and watch the fiendish foam froth over the top of the glass.

Spooky Strawberry Heart

This is a great drink to serve to a scare to your guests. Swirl some No Added Sugar Vimto in with some cranberry juice and pour into individual glasses. Keep up the fear factor with a ‘Bleeding Heart’ made out of a bbq stick speared strawberry. Simply dunk the ‘heart’ into the glass and serve chilled.

Blood Curdling Brew

The perfect cauldron concoction for witches and wizards everywhere! Put the flesh of one chopped melon along with 10 crushed red seedless grapes into your cauldron (or glass if cauldron not available) and blend until they form a ghoulishly bloody pulp! Strain into a glass and top up with fiendishly fruity fizzy Cherry Vimto to create your brew.

If you decide to give these cocktails a go, why not upload a photo onto the Vimto Facebook page for all to see?

No reward, financial or otherwise, was received in exchange for this post.

SodaStream Hallowe'en Mocktails

2011-10-28T08:56:00.000+01:00

Back in April I had the pleasure of reviewing a SodaStream (if you missed that post you can find it here). Today I'm going to share with you some ideas for SodaStream Hallowe'en Mocktails!

To mark Hallowe'en SodaStream have come up with four recipes for spooky mocktails using their wide range of flavours. These look perfect for Hallowe'en parties - children or adults!

Vampire Broth

3 parts SodaStream diet cola, 1 part vanilla ice cream. Mix SodaStream cola with the vanilla ice cream and watch it go all frothy.

Pumpkin Juice

2 parts SodaStream sugar free orange, 1 part SodaStream sugar free lemonade and small pumpkin slices. Mix SodaStream orange with SodaStream lemonade and add the pumpkin pieces.

Witches Brew

Witches Brew

2 parts SodaStream sugar free orange, 1 part SodaStream ginger ale, 1 part orange juice and 1 part pineapple juice. Mix all the ingredients together in a jug to make your witches brew!

Magic Potion

2 parts SodaStream clear cranberry & raspberry, 2 parts SodaStream apple and 1 part fresh raspberries. Crush up the raspberries and mix into the SodaStream apple then add cranberry and raspberry.

I hope you have great fun creating these mocktails, I think they look fab! Enjoy!

No reward, financial or otherwise, was received in exchange for this post.

Pumpkin Carving Tips & Zippo Giveaway

2011-10-27T13:20:00.001+01:00

When I was wee we didn't carve pumpkins, we carved turnips. Is that a Scottish thing? An island thing? I'm not sure. We used to love spending time with Dad and creating our lanterns ready for guising.

Until I moved to the "big city" I didn't realise that our idea of guising is different from most places. We used to go to people houses, into their living room and get them to guess who we were. The householder would ask us questions and we could only nod or shake our heads. Once they guessed us correctly we'd sing a song or tell a joke and get our treats! We used to love it and spent AGES making sure that our hair was hidden, our hands were covered etc so that people couldn't guess who we were too easily. I guess living in a small place we could do this and it really was so much fun!

Anyway, back to lanterns! The lovely people at Zippo have sent us their top tips for pumpkin carving and are giving you the chance to win one of their Zippo Candle Lighters (more on that later)!

Things You Will Need

* pumpkin

* newspaper

* marker pen

* cut-out stencils (optional)

* sharp knife / spoon

* small tea-light candle

* lighter

What To Do

1. Place a pumpkin flat on its bottom, on a flat surface, so the stem is at the top

2. Draw a circle around the stem with a marker (large enough to fit your hand through)

3. Cut around the outline with a long, sharp knife until you cut around the whole of the stem

4. Lift the newly made lid and remove the flesh of the pumpkin with a spoon

5. Rinse the interior clearing out the remaining flesh and tip away the waste

6. Draw your design on the front of the pumpkin with a marker or draw around an already made template

7. Insert the tip of your knife into the lines drawn and begin carving your design

8. Once the carving is complete, you can place a candle inside the pumpkin and light it.

There you have it, how to create your own pumpkin lantern!

Pumpkin carving is quite an art form and some pumpkin designs are amazing! Here are a few of Zippo's favourites by the artist Ray Villafane........if you think you can do better send your images to @zippouk on Twitter :-)

Now on to the giveaway. Zippo have kindly offered Rhoda Reviews readers the chance to get their hands on one of their Candle Lighters (RRP £10.15)

To be in with a chance of winning please share your favourite Hallowe'en memories with me by posting a comment below. It can be anything, your favourite costume, your best "trick", your top pumpkin tip, anything you like!

There is one bonus entry available for tweeting about this giveaway. Simply tweet "I've shared my Hallowe'en memories to #win a @zippouk candle lighter on @rhodak09's blog. You can too at http://goo.gl/wFD5p" Then leave a separate comment below telling me you have tweeted along with your Twitter ID.

The competition will close at 23.59hrs on Wednesday 2nd November 2011.
This competition is open to the UK only, sorry.
There is 1 Zippo Candle Lighter to give away to 1 lucky winner.
There are a total of 2 entries available per person.
Winners will be selected by random.org.
Winners will be given 1 week from the date of draw to claim their prize, if we haven't heard from the winner a new winner will be drawn.

Please remember to leave some form of contact details (Twitter ID, email etc) so we can contact you if you are a winner.

Good luck! I can't wait to read your comments!

For more information about Zippo visit their website or follow them on Twitter (@ZippoUK).

Thank you to Zippo for providing the prize for this giveaway. No other reward, financial or otherwise, was received in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Scarlet & Crimson Eye Spy Giveaway Winners

2011-10-27T10:28:00.000+01:00

Thanks to everyone who took part in the Scarlet & Crimson Eye Spy giveaway. It seems like a lot of you guys feel as useless as me when it comes to eyebrows!

A big thank you to Scarlet & Crimson for providing the prizes for this giveaway. I wish I could give you all a set, but I've only got two to give away.

The winners (as selected by random.org) are ...........

Piper and Daisy (@piperanddaisy)

and

Marzena (@marzutek)

CONGRATULATIONS!

Please drop me an email (see top left of blog) with your details so I can get your prizes sent out to you.

For more information about products from Scarlet & Crimson pop over to their website.

Limited Edition Pumpkin Bagels - Grab Yours TODAY!!!!!!

2011-10-26T12:14:00.001+01:00

As Hallowe'en is fast approaching I have a few "Halloweeny" posts lined up to get you all in the mood. The first of these posts is about the Limited Edition New York Bakery Pumpkin-y Bagels - yes you read that right, pumpkin!

I was sent a pack of these bagels to try and to be honest at first I was really sceptical. I'm a huge fan of New York Bakery Bagels (see my previous review here) but I thought they might have lost the plot slightly with these pumpkin bagels.

I tried my first bagel with some butter and as I bit into it I could actually taste the pumpkin...and you know what? It was lovely! Proved wrong again Rhoda!

The bagels have a subtle pumpkin flavour, with pumpkin seeds dispersed throughout. Of course the bagels also feature the delicious chewiness that we have come to expect from New York Bakery.

These would make a nice feature for a Hallowe'en party. In fact New York Bakery suggest topping them with blood red jam or ghoulish green guacamole to finish off that Hallowe'en theme.

As I said these are limited edition and if you want to get your hands on a pack for FREE you are going to have to be quick! New York Bakery are giving away some of their Pumpkin-y Bagels on their Facebook page, but the giveaway ends TODAY so head over there right now and try your luck!

Samples were received for the purposes of this review. No other reward, financial or otherwise, was received in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

A Personal Post

2011-10-25T15:16:00.002+01:00

It's not very often that I write a personal post on my blog. In fact this is probably the most personal I have written and intend to write.

I feel I owe my readers an explanation as to why sometimes I go quiet on my blog. It's not that I don't want to blog, it's that I physically can't.

Let's start from the beginning shall we? When I was in my final year at University I became ill. At first they said I had a virus, most likely viral meningitis. The symptoms of that virus disappeared but I was soon left with fatigue, headaches, pain and heaviness in my legs. After numerous appointments the medical professionals concluded that it was "all in my head" - thanks for that!

To cut a long story short I got better to the point that I started work. I worked for two years but during that time it became evident that things weren't quite right. In fact it got to the stage that I couldn't use my hands to type, my head was unfocussed and my body was just too tired to operate. So I went back to the medical professionals and thankfully this time it was all taken a bit more seriously.

After appointments and tests with rheumatologists, neurologists etc I was diagnosed with having M.E.

M.E. (Myalgic Encephalopathy) or CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) is a condition that affects over 250 000 people in the UK, yet it is widely ignored. It affects everybody in slightly different ways, but for me I am extremely tired, lacking in concentration, my memory is poor, I get bad headaches, sore throats and swollen glands, I suffer from severe pain in my joints, I have heaviness in my limbs and consequently struggle to walk, I have heart palpitations, feel dizzy and have IBS-like symptoms. On top of that I also suffer from depression and generalised anxiety disorder.

Now please don't get me wrong I'm not telling you all of this for you to feel sorry for me. In fact that's really not what I want at all. I just want my readers to be aware of M.E., understand how it can affect people, and generally raise the profile of a condition that for years was known as the "yuppy flu".

People say to me "Rhoda, you're looking well". I have to smile and say thank you. However inside I just want to scream that while I may look well when I'm sitting on my bum in a seat I'm certainly not feeling well. I don't blame people though, to be honest they don't really know what to say, nor do they really understand what my body is going through. So my point here is this, if someone tells you they have M.E. and they look normal, remember that inside they are not, they are suffering.

I recently came across this, and I think it's the best description of M.E. I have ever seen. It sums it up in one neat image.

You see there is a lot that goes on with M.E. Like depression, it's not something you can generally see from the outside, but it's very real and it's very debilitating.

I also recently came across a blog where the blogger described M.E. as being "as if you've been doing the Tour de France, except you haven't been near a velo". Do you know that is one of the best descriptions I have ever heard! There are days when I swear I feel like I have run a marathon, but in practise all I have done is get out of bed to go to the loo.

Like most M.E. sufferers I have good days and bad days. The bad days are tough, it's hard to stay positive, particularly when you know that there is no known cure for this condition. Apparently you just have to treat the symptoms and wait for it to go. I'm lucky though and I have fantastic people around me that support me and keep me on track.

I just want to spend a minute thanking those that help me, those that keep me going and that pick me up when I'm quite literally on the floor.

Jonathon - you are my rock, without you I couldn't face this. You keep me going, you believe in me and you look after me in every way possible. I look forward to the day when I can be a "proper" wife and cook, clean and take care of you! I love you with all my heart.

Mum & Dad - I know that you both find it very hard to watch me struggle and that you feel helpless being so far away, but everything you do helps me! Every text, every call, every visit, every day of gardening, every surprise shopping parcel means so much to me. It raises my spirits and I know I'm not alone. Thank you, I love you both very much.

Nick, Frances & Joanne - I'm so truly lucky to have in-laws like you - in-laws I love. You help us in so many ways, from cooking meals, to lifting spirits, fixing doors (!!!) to giving Jonathon a break. Thank you.

Kirsty - I know you are always there and that if I ever need you I can just pick up the phone. Tha gaol agam ort.

Liz et al - well Liz I'd be quite simply lost without you. Not only do you physically help me, taking me to appointments etc etc but you pick me up when I'm feeling down. You and your family brighten my days and make me grateful to have such fabulous friends.

I feel like I don't get the chance to tell people how much I appreciate them, but I really do. Whether it's physically helping or sending a text to see how I am, I appreciate it all....and so does Jonathon.

Ok, that's the soppy part over. As you've probably gathered, I've not always been like this. I used to work on the croft with my Dad, I used to navigate in rally cars, I used to work, I used to be obsessive about cleaning. In truth, I didn't use to stop. If I sat down to watch a DVD all I could think about was what I "should" be doing. Well my body clearly didn't like it and it forced me to take life at a slow pace.

It's not all bad though! Having M.E. has changed me. I'm no longer the person I once was. I have learned to accept my limitations (most of the time), I have realised that there is more to life than rushing about doing things, I have come to realise who I really am. After all sitting about for 2.5 years gives you a bit of time to think about things!

You know what though? I'm lucky. There are millions of people in far worse situations than me. I have a loving family, fantastic friends and a brilliant husband. I've learned who I am and I know that some day I will get better and will look upon this part of my life as a learning experience.

Of course I have down days. In fact annual events really hit me between the eyes as I realise that's another year gone sitting on my bum while the world passes me by. I've lost out on years 25, 26, 27 and 28 (so far) of my life but you know what....I know that I will get better whereas so many people don't.

I originally created this blog to get my mind going again and to give me something to focus upon. While that is still true I do also think of it as my M.E. legacy. That thing that I achieved during those years when I couldn't do anything else...even get out of bed.

So there you have it......the reason why I disappear sometimes and don't manage to blog for a while. I do what I can, when I can .... or when I can get the help to do it.

I hope, if nothing else, this post has created some awareness about M.E. It's a very real condition with very real symptoms. Yes I use a stick and yes I use a wheelchair if I need to....that's because of M.E. It doesn't define who I am though and I know that one day I am going to win this fight.

P.S. a note to all of my readers - thank you for supporting me by supporting my blog. Finally a note to my Twitter friends, thank you for your support and kindness. You're a brilliant group of people and I'm very lucky to have you in my life. Rhoda x

Healthy Food Guide Caramel Slice

2011-10-18T14:49:00.000+01:00

As it's National Baking Week this week I thought it would be a great time to share some baking recipes with you. I've always loved baking.....and of course I do enjoy eating the results too. Wouldn't it be nice to enjoy some home baking without feeling guilty about calories? Well today I have a recipe that might just help!

The average Caramel Slice contains 390 calories per slice.... not great if you are trying to be good. So the Healthy Food Guide has created a new Caramel Slice recipe that slashes the calories to 191 calories, but doesn't compromise on taste.

Makes 16 pieces.
Prep 15 minutes, plus chilling. Cook 30 - 35 minutes.

For the base:

Spray Oil

140g plain flour

125g low-fat spread, melted

80g light brown soft sugar

80g rolled oats

For the filling:

397g can caramel

For the topping

60g dark cooking chocolate

Preheat the oven to 180°C/fan 160°C/gas 4. Spray a 20cm x 20cm cake tin with the oil and line with non-stick baking paper.
Combine the flour, spread sugar and oats in a bowl. Press the mixture into the tin and bake for 15-20 minutes, until golden brown.
Meanwhile pour the caramel into a saucepan and cook over a low heat, stirring, for 3-5 minutes until the mixture is smooth. Pour the caramel over the cooked base and return to the oven for 15 minutes until the caramel is bubbling and slightly brown.
Remove from the oven and leave to cool in the tin.
Put the chocolate into a heatproof bowl over boiling water and melt, stirring, until it’s completely smooth. Drizzle over the caramel, and then chill for at least 2 hours until set.
Dip a knife into hot water to prevent the chocolate cracking and cut into slices.

If you do give this a go please let us know how you got on. I'd love to try it myself, but since I can't I thought I'd share it with you all. Enjoy!

For more information about the Healthy Food Guide visit their website, like them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter (@healthyfoodmag).

No reward, financial or otherwise, was received in exchange for this post.

Sea-Band Pregnancy Photo Competition

2011-10-17T12:37:00.000+01:00

You all know by now how much I love competitions. Well the lovely people at Sea-Band have a photo competition for all you pregnant ladies out there.

Sea-Bands are knitted elasticated wristbands that apply pressure on the acupressure point on each wrist to relieve nausea. I reviewed Sea-Bands back in August, you can find the review here.

So what is this competition then? Well Sea-Band want you to share your pregnancy photos with them. It could be anything from a photo of your bump to a photo of your cravings! The winner will be selected by a public vote (yes I hear you all groaning, I hate voting comps too).

However, it might be worth the effort of getting your family and friends to vote as the prize is £130 of Dove Spa vouchers to spend however you like!

To enter you just need to pop over to their Facebook page and upload your image in the competition tab. All entries must be received by 2200hrs on 3rd November 2011. Voting will take place between 4th November and 18th November 2011. For full details of this competition visit the Sea-Band Facebook page.

No reward, financial or otherwise, was received in exchange for this post.

Rhoda Reviews

On My Birthday Meme

A Taste of Italy with Sacla'

Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup with Owen Potts Stocks

Mother's Day Gifts from Asda

Beyond Dark, Drops of Pure Pleasure

Win a Family Ticket to The Dungeons

Kopi - Gourmet Coffee To Your Door

Pillow Pet Giveaway

Philadelphia with Cadbury!!

Win a £50 Experience Days Voucher

Naturally Soothe Conjunctivitis

Hillcrest Cottage - a fabulous break!

Fabulous New Books from Macmillan!

Taste #5 - Umami Paste

Valentine's Day

Cosy Tea *Giveaway* - CLOSED

Dulux Dog Celebrates 50 Years

Make Yourself Better

Baking Mad Healthy Baking Challenge

Car Insurance - Sainsbury's Finance Guest Post

500 Baby & Toddler Foods Review

What's That Flavour?

Nominate Your "Most Deserving" To Win A Car!

ThermaCare HeatWraps

MAM Bite & Relax Teether

Make 2012 A Money Saving Year!

Sacla Pangrattato

So long 2011....what will 2012 hold?

Swizzels Matlow Stocking Fillers

Lypsyl Stocking Filler Giveaway

An Aldi Christmas

Doodlenation - Fun For All The Family!

Tractor Ted Review & *Giveaway* - CLOSED

Perfume-Click.co.uk Review

Toddler Bath Wrap

Freya Design Keepsake Box Giveaway - CLOSED

Accessories Direct Review & Discount Code

Christmas with Hotel Chocolat

Pink Sumo Review, Discount and *Giveaway* - CLOSED

Far Far Away Books Review & *Giveaway* - CLOSED

Reading Chest *Giveaway* - CLOSED

Raising Money For The ME Association

Get Ready For Christmas with Delicious Magazine

A Day For Remembering

Leisure & Jo Pratt Recipes PLUS *Giveaway* - CLOSED

Need-2-Know Books Giveaway - CLOSED

Tekkers Hoodie Giveaway - CLOSED

Annabel's Kitchen DVD

Zippo Candle Lighter Giveaway Winner

Happy Birthday Pat DVD

Top 10 Anti-Ageing Foods for Autumn.

Hallowe'en Vimto Cocktails

SodaStream Hallowe'en Mocktails

Pumpkin Carving Tips & Zippo *Giveaway*

Scarlet & Crimson Eye Spy Giveaway Winners

Limited Edition Pumpkin Bagels - Grab Yours TODAY!!!!!!

A Personal Post

Healthy Food Guide Caramel Slice

Sea-Band Pregnancy Photo Competition

Cosy Tea Giveaway - CLOSED

Tractor Ted Review & Giveaway - CLOSED

Pink Sumo Review, Discount and Giveaway - CLOSED

Far Far Away Books Review & Giveaway - CLOSED

Reading Chest Giveaway - CLOSED

Leisure & Jo Pratt Recipes PLUS Giveaway - CLOSED

Pumpkin Carving Tips & Zippo Giveaway