Tuesday, 26 September 2017

Simple beef stew recipe for #HealthyRedMeat Challenge with BritMums

Ever since L started her weaning journey 2,5 years ago I have tried to experiment with what I can and can't cook, mainly unsuccessful but I have found few recipes that work for me. As we are trying to eat healthier this year our weekly menu would consist of different types of meat or fish which are cooked either by my husband or myself.

Few weeks ago I have been offered to take part in Healthy Red Meat Challenge, sponsored by the Meat Advisory Panel as a way of encouraging kids and their parents to use "one of the healthiest, tastiest and most versatile ingredients- lean red meat, which experts recommend to include in children’s diet from weaning onwards".
Dr Emma Derbyshire, a public health nutritionist and mother, says: “Including a small portion of red meat in the diet a few times a week after weaning can help to bridge nutrient gaps and so help to maintain good health through childhood and beyond.”

I would like to share with you today one of my husband's all time favourite recipe cooked by myself- beef stew. It is something I have been cooking on a weekly basis as a traditional Saturday dinner meal regardless of the temperature outside. With L being fussy eater it is tough to predict if she is going to eat all the veg and the meat together, normally I would separate meat from the stew and give it to her with buckwheat but she did surprise us few times. 

So here is how I cook our Saturday beef stew (approx. cooking time 3 hours):
- chop (peeled) vegetables (1 carrot, 1 parsnip, half of stick leek)
- add a cube of vegetable stock into a large pan or casserole dish
- boil full kettle of water and add to the pan
- whilst the cube is dissolving in water, I slightly fry diced beef (can be purchased in major supermarkets, but for this campaign I have purchased meat and veg in Tesco) in a second pan and add it to the large pan with vegetables
- add more water and half of tin of chickpeas
- 2 hours later I add 1-2 peeled and cubed potatoes to the stew and let it gently boil until its done for an hour or so.

I don't tend to add anymore seasoning or cornflower as by the time beef stew is cooked it looks thick enough to eat as it is, and would only sprinkle a little bit of pepper to add a slight kick to the meal.

Such a simple meal but full of goodness and suitable for those who don't tend to cook on a daily basis.


Disclaimer: I was provided with £10 Tesco voucher to spend on red meat and to create the recipe.

“This post is an entry for the BritMums #HealthyRedMeat, sponsored by the Meat Advisory Panel.

Monday, 21 August 2017

Review: Ladybugs Garden Playset and Little Live Pets Lil’ Ladybugs Single Pack

Few months ago little L came across and became a big fan of a cartoon where one of the characters is a ladybird. The more we watched the cartoon the more ladybird related products we were purchasing for L, so when we were offered to review Ladybugs Garden Playset and Little Live Pets Lil’ Ladybugs Single Pack I knew it would be a perfect toy for L.
If you have never heard of Little Live Pets here is a little bit about them: 

"Little Live Pets are the lifelike electronic pets that move, feel, act and sound so real. The more you play with them, the more playful they become.

Collect all of the pets, discover their personalities and listen or watch as they let their own unique personalities show! Adopt one today!"

I recall seeing Little Live Pets on Youtube but have never came across them in shops. Ladybugs Garden Playset packaging needs a special mention as it is quite colourful with ladybugs pictured all over it's cardboard bottom, with an oval dome "roof" covering the playset. This clear dome also allows you to have a sneak peak prior to purchasing the set. 
Once I have removed all the packaging, I have noticed few features making this playset a great and entertaining toy:
- colourful pair of ladybugs (1 big one called Spotsy and 1 little baby ladybug)
- ladbug's garden has different "paths" and slides to discover and zoom around
- a spinning flower elevator, which will help ladybugs to get from bottom floor to top 
- little white divider that blocks certain paths  (flower elevator) allowing to explore new routes
- different "sightseeing" featured to make ladybugs' journey more adventurous (a little house at the top, little white bandstand and white arrow signs on a pole at the bottom, which are not detachable)
- 2 white ramps that can be attached on both size of the playset for easy exit and entry
I have previously mentioned a flower elevator which was one of the first features L has tested out. For an easy transfer from one level to another L have placed ladybugs at the bottom of the elevator on a little purple pedestal, once L started to spin the flower's head ladybugs started to move forward and up until they reached its destination and off they went on a different path.

Little Live Pets Lil’ Ladybugs Single Pack (£5.99) 
packaged in the similar style as Ladybugs garden and comes with a big battery operated (battery included) Ladybug and a baby ladybug packaged separately to the bigger one. Both of the toys are part of the collection, altogether there are 12 colourful ladybugs to collect.
Bigger ladybug is a battery operated bug with little bristles imitating bug's legs and helping it move fast. Once it's turned on (a little button moved left or right to switch it on or off) it starts moving whilst making vibrating/buzzing noise. At the back of the bigger ladybug I have found a little section allowing to slot the smaller ladybug attaching them 2 together. 
Small ladybug has a longer front- a little black plastic bar which allows an easy attachment to a bigger ladybug as it cannot move by itself.

Overall, I think both Ladybug Garden playset and Ladybugs themselves are really cute and just perfect for my toddler. Even though these toys are recommended to use from 5 years old, my little L who is 3 years didn't have any problems using them under my supervision. She didn't find it hard to understand the mechanism of switching the ladybug on and off in fact she found it by herself she also found it easy to play around and gets really excited when the set it out to play.

The only downfall was that the bigger ladybug from Ladybugs Garden playset stopped zooming on day 3, it might be just due to L playing with the toy non-stop but of course I would have preferred for it to last longer.

Disclaimer: I was sent the item mentioned above for the purpose of this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Friday, 18 August 2017

Review: Paw Patrol Live: Race to the Rescue at Birmingham

Let me start this review by stating that I had high expectations for this show, mainly due to the popularity/craze that is currently surround Paw Patrol.

We dressed L in her Skye outfit (which her aunt bought for her b'day) and kept the show a secret from L right up until entering the arena.
The stage was set out with just the words Paw Patrol on the drawn curtains.. and then it began!
To say it began is an understatement.. just wow! Ryder appeared on stage with energy and enthusiasm.

 And then enter the pups, one by one they appeared with their signature entrance names.. starting with you know who “MARSHALL”.

The images show exactly what the characters were like.. realistic almost. The best way to describe the costumes, is the actors were quite literally wearing the puppy outfits which from a visual perspective was excellent.
L naturally went crazy when she say Skye “Skye, look mummy it's Skye”. Considering she was one of the few children to dress up for the show, made her extra excited about seeing the pups.

In essence the show follows Ryder and the pups as they race on Mayor Goodway's behalf (she injures her ankle). Unfortunately for the pups their nemesis Mayor Humdinger and the kitten catastrophe crew are out to spoil the race.
                                   

This show has all of your favourite characters and has cameo's from Jake, Everest (who appears for the second half), Farmer Yumi and Captain Turbot.
                          
We wondered where the time had gone, due to the fact we enjoyed the show so much.

Paw Patrol live is by far the best live children's show I have seen.

The thought/creativity which has gone into creating this show is superb. The costumes were excellent and it was like watching an episode of Paw Patrol on tv (only live).

Ryder and Mayor Goodway were frequently interacting with the audience, with the mayor approaching some of the kids in the crowd (in person). It is cute to see all the kids go shy! But they are live and being filmed so you can't really blame them..

There is a short break to break the show up and give parents/kids time to eat & rest, but the show soon starts up again with another action/energetic second half. Entertaining throughout..

To summarise, you would be barking mad not to see this show! My expectations of Paw Patrol live were honestly exceeded. 

Something to note- I have paid £30 per tickets and just a couple of weeks prior to the Birmingham show I saw the same tickets advertised at half of its original price via Groupon, something that disappointed me as I could have saved £45, but you guys, can learn on my mistakes! 

So if you have little ones who love Paw Patrol book your tickets now  (currently touring in Newcastle upon Tyne,Leeds, Cardiff, Glasgow) and you will not be disappointed!