June - July Final Issue

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Issue 18 - June / July 2014
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Wow! This month has been so busy and I just havent stopped! I desperately need someone to come
on board and start helping me out I just cant do it as a one woman band anymore !!
We have an extremely packed issue this month full of editorials, exclusives, features, a fabulous
Reviews and Clothing section and part two of our Home & Furnishings page which shows you all
the latest furniture and accessories for your childs bedroom and also your home. This month we are
featuring Vertbaudet, a company renowned for their childrenswear but who also have amazing
products at amazing prices! We also are reviewing the latest in mid-sleepers for children starting with
the Stompa Play 3 bed (complete with slide - the joy this brings is just incredible!) From Room to Grow,
who we featured last month. We are also almost ready to go live with the newest addition to the
Baby Buzz family, our Guide to Family Travel website where you can find the best deals, the best
accessories - in fact just everything you need to make your family holiday as easy and stress free as
possible.
We have a fabulous interview with Liberty X Michelle Heaton who showcased her new Fitness DVD
recently at the Baby Show in Birmingham. We also have our resident fitness and health expert to the
stars, Ruben Tabares, ready to answer any questions you may have! Ruben is one of the most
in-demand strength and conditioning coaches in the world and he boasts a client list with the likes of
the former World Heavyweight Champion Boxer David Haye. Former light welterweight champion,
Amir Khan. Actor Mickey Rourke and rapper Tinie Tempah, Ruben's world-renowned approach to
weight loss, strength and condition, as well as nutrition, continues to attract some of the most elite
clients from around the world and now we have the privilege of getting his insight, knowledge and
experience to guide us too!
Wishing you all a wonderful June / July, Nickie x
Business Focus
P.07 Parents in Business
P.07 Enterprising Mums - Working Smarter
not Harder!
P.38 Enfield Council Trading Standards -
know your rights!
P.66 The Buggy Network with Eve Tudor
Regulars
P05 Welcome to the World
P.68 Little Signers Club - Ready for Summer
Family Focus
P.26 Swimfin - Welcomes Violet into the
family
P.34 The Who Am I Moment, by Elizabeth
Hobson
P.35 Eureka - helping you play healthy!
P.36 Its not about dou-ing, its about
being, by Michelle Eshkeri
P.46 Co-Sleeping the safe way - BabyBay
P.47 Where theres a will., RocketLawyer
P.48 Parents blame the inernet for the
facts of life conversation!
P.62 Exploring outside beats modern
technology For todays toddlers
P.64 65% of parents claim hay fever is
ruining child's lives
P.65 Shared Parental Leave: Parents
unaware of changes and reluctant to
take up Governments offer
P.80 Blue Almonds relocates to new
premises
P.81 All Star cast for Pip Ahoy - with Sir
David Jason and Stacey Solomon
Exclusives
P.06 Help us Find The Face of Tiny Tux
P.15 Celebrity Parent Profile - Michelle Heaton
P.32 Exclusive Interview with Melanie C about
being an Ambassador for HumanRaceEvents
P.41 Real Life Stories - Disability & Family!
P.40 Lorraine Kellys Racy Reads Winner -
Anouska Knight
P.82 Competition Time!
Health & Wellbeing
P.16 How to look good at 100 - Ruben Tabares
P.18 Understanding your skin - Hopes Relief
P.19 Terrible Teething advice - Nelsons
P.20 Common myths about Personal Trainers
debunked!
P.21 TOWIE star raises awareness of inherited
heart conditions - British Heart Foundation
P.22 North Middlesex Hospital invests in
neonatal care
P.23 Childrens Air Ambulance celebrates 1
year anniversary
P.24 Best Breast Forward! - By Abi Adams
P.25 JMHerbalist - Your Questions Answered
Fashion Focus
P.27 Celeb stylist Grace Woodward on helping
new mums look fabulous!
P.30 Vertbaudet - Maternity Swimwear
P.31 Frugi - Introducing their Summer
Breastfeeding Collection
P.35 Startrite Shoes - Calling All Budding
Designers
P.40 Vivobarefoot - Free your childrens feet!
Food & Recipes
P.71 National Food Safety Week - FSA
P.72 Making Summer go with a Swing -
Boulevard Events
P.73 The Rose & Crown Pub / Restaurant
Review
P.74 Opentable - top children friendly
restaurants
The Rosendale Pub / Restaurant
Review
P.75 Amoyzing - with TV chef Ching He
Huang
Baby Buzz Family Travel Guide
P.76 The London Pass
P.77 Capella Resort - Saint Lucia
P.78 Sandyballs - Glamping in the New
Forest
P.79 Travel Essentials for your family
News & Reviews
P.50 Book Reviews -Childrens Books
P.52 Book Reviews - Adult / Parenting Books
P.53 Pushchairs / Travel System Reviews
P.55 Furniture & Travel Accessory Reviews
P.56 Games & Toys Reviews
P.57 Health & Beauty Reviews
P.58 Baby Gadgets & Essentials Reviews
P.59 Baby Clothing & Accessories
P.60 Food Product Reviews
P.67 indigo and rose - homewares
Grow & Keep Your Own
P.69 Baby Buzz Get Growing Challenge
P.70 Dawn Isaac - Little Green Finger
P.15
P.54
P.27
P.16
We are now in the f inal stages of voting to
Find the Face of Tiny Tux 2014
Cast your vote now at:
www.babybuzzmagazine.com!
Entries must be made by close of play on 25
th
June 2014
Sonny Lewis Harrison Kayden Freddie
Lorenzo Kai George Sami Clayton
To vote for your winner, please visit:
Look up working smarter
not harder on an internet
search engine, and you will
find it throws up about 4
million results. Almost all of
us will have heard this said,
many of us will have used the
words, but does that make it
a valid statement? Is it true
that working smarter
precludes the need to work hard? This saying seems to have originally
been used in the context of life-work balance and the idea that being
better prepared and organised, planning properly and effectively
managing time and resource would lead to more being done in less time.
In this context if a task is broken down to its simplest level then applying
intellect to the job in hand has obvious benefits - for example a workman
ensuring all tools are to hand before starting work or even organising a
warehouse or a shop for the most ergonomically effective layout. We all
know this to be true and many of us apply the principles in our home life
as well as business.
Another useful and effective context is working smarter in prioritisation.
Like the triage system that manages patient prioritisation for hospital
emergencies. Clearly it is much more sensible (or smart) to filter patients
at first contact to ensure scarce resources are directed to the areas of
greatest need. Again, choice about prioritisation, doing the right things,
is applicable across a broad range of situations.
Both these examples are of course about applying logic to the situation,
exercising intellect to provide efficiency. So what about applying
Emotional Intelligence to the adage? Is it as useful to work emotionally
smarter? Is it smart and more effective to apply emotional intelligence to
the relationships involved in any task?
It perhaps depends on the role, but its probably fair to say that any role
dependent on a good relationship will benefit from working emotionally
smarter. It is also true than even in a relatively transactional context,
customer engagement at an emotional level (beyond have a nice day) is
important in managing brand perception. It is also sometimes useful to
think of working emotionally smarter as the lubricant in the business
machine. Having the right emotional impact on relationships with
colleagues, customers and suppliers will dramatically reduce the wear and
tear, and stress within the organisation. Working Smarter Not Harder is
then, as we have discussed so far, worth examining from a number of
perspectives. But the big challenge is in understanding these simple
cameos and knitting these thoughts about working smarter, along with
many others, into a cohesive set of actions and ways of working that will
really drive improvement.
Applying the principle from a leadership standpoint it could be said that
working smarter is about addressing all of these different perspectives as
part of building an effective, efficient and cohesive business model.
Imagine an organisation where the goals, values and mission had been
effectively communicated not just to the employees but other
stakeholders and where relevant customers as well. Imagine in that same
organisation processes were in place to prioritise the tasks to ensure the
greatest possible return on human, financial and emotional capital.
Imagine working practices designed and redesigned to eliminate waste
and improve productivity.
Now all that would be working smarter. As to the question is Working
Smarter Not Harder a valid statement? What is it about working smarter
that means you should not work hard?
After all it is said by many that the harder they work the luckier they are!
For more information on Enterprising Mums networking groups or to set
up a networking group yourself, please visit:
www.enterprising-mums.co.uk or tweet us @enterprisemums
Parents & Business
So, youre going back to work after having a baby. You may have decided
to do so before you even went on leave. You may want to go back so
you dont fall off the career ladder. You may have little choice after
all, the bills need to be paid. You may have thought you wouldnt want
to go back to work, but the realities of parenthood have changed your
mind! Everybodys reasons for becoming a working parent are different.
Whatever yours is, when you go back to work, you will probably need
childcare.
Choosing childcare is one of the most involved decisions you will make.
The first step is to ask what type of care you want. You may prefer the
idea of one-to-one care in a home environment which can be provided
by a childminder. You may want your child to stay in your own home
with a nanny or au pair. On the other hand, the larger social group at a
nursery may suit them. You could choose these, or depending on your
needs, use a crche, play group or pre-school. Some parents use a
mixture of provision, along with help from family.
To find out whats available to you locally, your first port of call is
probably going to be other parents. Your health visitor may also be a
good source of information, so ask about whats available locally at one
of your visits. The local library, reviews of child carers on the Internet,
regulators report (e.g. OFSTED), local press and the Family Information
Service are also very informative.
Make sure the type of care you choose will cover the hours you need
for your working day. Compare prices on a daily or hourly rate,
depending on your needs.
When you have a shortlist, visit the childcare providers. Chats at local
baby groups, down the park or with friends who have already made
their choice can be invaluable, but your opinion may turn out to be
different to theirs and you need to see for yourself. You also need to
consider what would best suit your child whats their personality like?
Do they respond well in groups or would they prefer one-to-one care?
At your visit, ask about the activities available to your child, the daily
routine, whats included in the advertised price (food? nappies?). Have
a look at the meals how often does the menu change, do they provide
healthy snacks? Security is of course a huge consideration are the
premises safe and secure? How do they deal with external visitors? Will
you get a daily report about what your child has done? What if your
child is ill? Will they charge you extra if you are delayed at the end of
the day?
In the case of a childminder, nanny or au pair, you obviously need to
like and trust them. They will be the sole person looking after your child
and may be in your home. If you are considering a nursery, meet a few
of the staff How long have they been there? Do they like working
there? Why did they choose to work in childcare? Will one of them be
assigned to your child? You can ask much more, but often you just have
an overwhelmingly positive or negative feeling about the childcarer you
are visiting.
Paying for it
When you are happy with your childcare provider, formally book a place
for your child. You might be required to pay a joining fee to hold your
place. Some childcare providers expect fees to be paid in advance rather
than in arrears, so you may need to find the first months fees before
you return to work.
The price of childcare varies depending on location, type of childcare
and the quality of the services provided. It has often been cited that
costs in London and other large cities are considerably higher. However,
a recent report* suggested that families in rural areas pay up to 6.3%
more for childcare due to lack of access to a range of childcare and less
family support. Wherever you live, there are ways to reduce the cost.
Childcare is most expensive when your child is aged 0-2. Childcare
Vouchers are particularly valuable at this time, although they can be
used to pay for any registered childcare for children up to the age of 16.
Childcare Vouchers are available from your employer. You simply
exchange up to 243 per month from your gross wages for Childcare
Vouchers and save up to 933 per year in tax and National Insurance.
Both parents can join their employers Childcare Voucher scheme,
potentially doubling savings to 1,866 per year. For more information
about Childcare Vouchers visit www.busybeesbenefits.com. A parent
can join as soon as the child is born, but you cant exchange Statutory
Maternity, Paternity or Adoption Pay for vouchers.
Depending on your income and how often you pay for childcare, Tax
Credits are available to help working parents cover some of the cost of
their childcare. Visit https://www.gov.uk/childcare-tax-credits for more
information.
Free childcare children aged 3 and 4 are entitled to 15 free hours of
childcare at a nursery or pre-school starting from the term they turn 3.
In some cases this is available from the age of 2. This entitlement is
applied to term time only (38 weeks of the year). Visit www.gov.uk/free-
early-education to find out more.
When choosing childcare, your research needs to start early, well before
you are going to return to work. This will give you time to make the right
decision and ease your child in with their new carer. Get it right now
and you will feel happier about returning to work in the long term.
Happy searching!
Who is behind the product?
Local Mumpreneur Karen Langston launched Parents and
Co, a website designed to share over 25 years of childcare
experience. Karen made the bold decision to step down
from being a Nursery Head (a job she loved) as having
achieved her goals with the nursery, she felt other
challenges and opportunities awaited her.
Through her experience as a Nursery Head she could see
there was a need for a website like Parents and Co,
offering a one stop web site for parents! Its focus being
to offer new parents and parents to be advice, guidance
and solutions to every day problems and anxieties Big
Ideas for Little People. In addition, the website provides
a parent and child focused shopping experience, offering a unique range of specialist
products that can enhance parents and their childrens lives. Karen has accumulated an
enviable bank of knowledge during her career as a Nursery School Head, and that
combined with her first hand experience as a Mum of two boys and there isnt much she
doesnt know about parenting.
How did the company get started?
Karen knew from day one that Parents and Co would be a great success. Through sheer
energy and determination Parents and Co has really started growing. Started from the
dining room table in October 2013 with lots of research and many conversations with
friends and new mummies the concept of Parents and Co grew! Rather than set up a
traditional market place website with a huge number of products for sale, Karen wanted
to establish a smaller but well trusted business selling products that she really believes
in. Also, having brought up two sons herself and helped shape the lives of literally
thousands of children she is extremely well placed to educate new mums and dads on the
more challenging aspects of parenthood, such as sleeping, socialising and fussy eating.
What is the company about?
Parents and Co is an online business offering new parents guidance, solutions & advice
on a wide range of childrens development issues through regular blogs, social media and
parenting tools. Parents and Co offers general guidance on its site, along with
opportunities to obtain individual tailor-made advice. This is developed through specialist
courses, offered on the web site, that she runs for new parents and parents of toddlers.
Karen also has connections to other professionals/specialists who can offer advice on
questions that may arise and require more specific support and guidance. Parents & Co
also offers the perfect shopping experience attempting to cover all the requirements of
new parents on one user-friendly site, sourcing unique products, with outstanding quality
and innovative design from product specialists targeting the early years of a childs life.
All products are personally reviewed on the site by her to identify the specific reasons
why they have been selected by Parents & Co. This provides customers with a greater
insight into the benefits and key features and makes the shopping experience easier and
more enjoyable for busy parents.
What do you hope to achieve?
Karen is continuously looking for ways to introduce her brand to more parents, She wants
Parents and Co to be a platform for entrepreneurial mums and eventually opening a centre
where groups of mums can come at any time for baby & beyond courses, advice, guidance,
shop or just a chat and a coffee!!
What has been the highlight of starting your own company?
Doing something you love and are completely passionate about and committed to has
been Karens highlight in starting Parents and Co. She has found the broad range of skills
required and variety of challenges and decisions that have to be made on a daily basis a
real thrill, as everything she does benefits herself and her business.
What has been the downside of starting your own company?
Karen would say one of the most challenging things about running your own business is
time management! If you work from home like Karen you can easily get distracted as you
have so many tasks to complete and there never seems to be enough hours in a day! A
good tip is making a list each morning before you start your day and prioritise your job
list, Karen is happy if she can tick off her first five jobs, but that list also grows daily!!
What would your advice be to any parent wanting to start up their own business?
Karen would say be determined to get your aha idea off the ground! Be prepared for
some hard work. It is so important to have a structured business plan in place; this is
crucial to anyone wanting to start their own business, and an absolute must. Lastly you
definitely need a supportive family!!
For more information please contact:
Website: http://www.parentsandco.co.uk/
Email: karen@parentsandco.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Parentsandco
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ParentsandCo
Parents & Business
Who is behind the Product?
The product originates from a traditional style of shoe made for
agricultural workers in the Balearic Islands. Solillas is a fresh take
on this product by me, Jonnie and Ellis! And of course of team of
talented craftsmen in the factory in Menorca.
Since a teenager, I have loved this traditional style of shoe from
Menorca. I found them so comfortable, however the leathers used
were quite traditional and the bohemian vibe that I love about the
Balearic Islands were not brought to life within the product. Whilst
waiting for the train at the station on my way to work, I saw
someone wearing the shoes and knew she must have brought
them back from her holiday, I knew people in the UK could have
the same love as me. This gave me the push I needed to go and
find a manufacturer and get some samples made in the leathers
that I thought would give the product a new lease of life and
something that the UK market would want. We started selling on
our own website and, with little budget and very little advertising,
even still the orders started coming in. Two years later we were
approached by Urban Outfitters and the rollercoaster really began.
Last year we began working with Office to fulfil our dream of
getting our products onto the high street.
Sharing the Balearics with the world! We are captivated by the
free-spirited, creative aura of the Islands and love soaking it up,
working with the Islanders and instilling these emotions into the
Solillas brand and our products. Its not just about creating a
footwear product but staying true to our Balearic roots, celebrating
the local craftsmen and living a lifestyle where relationships come
first.
Our dream is for Solillas to become a staple summer shoe that
people buy year after year, renowned for their comfort and luxury
bohemian style. We want to add new styles each summer season
based on inspiration from the bohemian Island life and collaborate
with Balearic artists to produce limited edition designs.
The variation and having an excuse to try different things, and all
for something we have a tireless passion for. And working with my
husband of course!
Every day is different and there are so many things to learn and
try, especially in the early days when you are doing most things
yourself. One day you may be learning how to complete a VAT
return and the next organising a photo-shoot in Ibiza.
Having a dream and then walking into the factory and seeing it
become a tangible thing is an amazing feeling. That made me
realise that if you wanted something bad enough you could make
it happen. We had an idea that we wanted to collaborate with
Balearic artists, so we went out and did it. We wanted to do a
photoshoot in Ibiza so we took it upon ourselves to go and find the
people we needed and do it. I try to fit it all in around my son and
take him with me whenever possible.
Lack of time and sacrifices on other parts of my life. Solillas is like
another baby to me; I am entirely accountable for every aspect of
the business and responsible for its results. There is never any
downtime. I am constantly responding to customer queries,
reviewing stock levels, developing new opportunities and seeking
ideas for new designs. An evening in front of the television or a
nice long bubble bath is a distant dream at the moment!
What would your advice be to any parent wanting to start up
their own business?
As a parent, time is a luxury. Trying to fit running a business into
the little spare time you have is almost impossible. You cant
underestimate the need to be disciplined and organised. I am far
from mastering this fine art. Separate your time into time with
your family, time doing the housework, time to socialise, time
working, and time for you.
Website: http://www.solillas.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/solillas
Twitter: https://twitter.com/solillas
Blogspot: http://solillas.blogspot.co.uk/
Parents & Business
I am Sanna, the founder of Almondella and this is my brain child.
Almondella was founded 2 years ago in Helsinki, Finland.
The idea for the companystarted when I was expecting my daughter
Lilja who is now 3 years old. Finnish parents, who are expecting a
child, get a governmental starter package from the government
which consists of clothes in different sizes, some accessories needed
in baby care and even a toy and a book. The idea is that every family
has at least the basics, when a new citizen is born. They also can
mentally start to prepare to the child rearing. I thought this was such
a lovely idea and useful, too. I've looked but no other country seems
to have this tradition.
We want parents worldwide get the good feelings brought by the
Finnish baby box: a surprise box you can open together with your
loved ones that feels like a gift. You get thoughtful, good-quality and
useful things that take into consideration your baby's development.
And as the Almondella ingredient, we've added eco-thinking and the
boutique feel brought by using products from small designers. It's
really something special for your special one.
Almondella wants to bring more meaningful moments to family life:
the whole family spending time together using the age-appropriate
products. Every box contains activity tips to get the parents' own
imagination going about what all you can do with your baby at her
age. And you never can have enough beauty around you! Around
this idea we want to build a successful business that also helps small
designers and manufacturers to get their message across and their
products out.
Good feedback from our dear customers is always something that
really makes my day and gets me emotional. Another highlight was
when Rosalinde and Hanna joined Almondella about half a year ago.
Almondella takes an enormous part of my life and and it's really hard
to detach yourself from it physically and mentally. The to do list never
gets any shorter, no matter how you try, as new things are constantly
popping up. I try to be present for my family but sometimes it's hard,
you're at least thinking about some urgent matter. At the point I'm
at, you also never can truly have a holiday!
What would your advice be to any parent wanting to start up their
own business?
If it feels like a passion, go for it. You will be happy and that will make
your family happy as well. But you need to organise it so that it
doesn't take every minute of your time. Meditate, take your family
to the funfair, do whatever it takes to stop thinking about it once in
a while. Also don't imagine you can do everything yourself. For me,
the hardest part to learn has been to ask help, and I'm still learning
it!
Website: http://www.almondella.com/
Email: info@almondella.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Almondella
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Almondella
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/almondella/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/Almondella
Parents & Business
Parents & Business
Le Petit Bonbon was created by 29 year old Tiana Toma, a trained Interior
Architect with a passion for all things baby. When it came to starting a family,
Tiana decided the only way it would work for her is to work from home and
work for herself to get the work/life balance she wanted.
My business plan was initially formulated during my early pregnancy, I would
scribble down thoughts, ideas and product concepts in a note book during
my lunch breaks. After my degree I went on to work in hotel design which
I loved, however my desire to start a family and be at home with my kids
was strong. I knew that I wouldnt be able to put in the 110% needed to
progress my career and be there full time for my kids - I needed to work for
myself, the only downside was that the economy really took a down turn
when I went on my maternity leave, so starting an interior design business
was not the way to go. I wanted to do something creative, something where
I could utilise my skills id learnt through work so I spent several months
researching and designing my initial product range of baby gifts, which I am
continually doing even today. Knowing very little about running a business,
let alone an online one, was not easy - I under estimated just how much I
needed to know and it was a very steep learning curve, I would say it took
the first two years of learning from my mistakes and learning from other
businesses to get to where I am today.
The company is about creating a range of unique, handmade and non-
generic luxury baby gifts that not only fulfil a purpose but create a memory
for the parents and family. Whether it is something baby can wear or
something to decorate their room, every detail has been thought of and
thoroughly researched.
Initially the company was going to be based solely around hand decorated
chocolates and event favours however after a while I realised that I simply
wanted to focus on the baby gift market as that is where my interest and
knowledge lay. Im quite traditional when it comes to baby clothes, gifts
and interiors but I knew I had to do something that would stand out from
the 1000s of baby gift items already available. For example, with the rise
of baby cupcakes and baby bouquets available at most baby gift store these
days, I wanted to create something new and exciting - something more
cosmopolitan and funky - baby sushi was born! Sushi rolls made from rolled
up baby socks! Personalised gifts are hard to beat as they become unique
to the child and with our range of typographic nursery prints, parents can
have the perfect souvenir of the most special day of their life as the small
details such as time and weight can often be forgotten! As well as our own
range of products I recently started retailing some rising star brands. I
researched for months until I narrowed it down to the brands that really
suited Le Petit Bonbons ethos and style such as Amy and Ivor baby safe
chrome free leather moccasins, The Little Tailor luxury hand knitted
garments and Bathing Bunnies super soft baby hooded towels.
My aspirations for Le Petit Bonbon are to become a recognised brand name
in baby gifts, a go-to place for people to purchase personalised and bespoke
gifts and know that they are getting perfect quality and great customer
service. I hope to also sell my own products wholesale to other retailers to
help the brand expand further than my website alone.
I was just awarded a Mumpreneur UK Silver Award for the website which
im extremely proud about as I have put in a crazy amount of hours designing
every inch of that website to make it exactly the way I wanted. Getting
feedback from customers and having them send me photos of their babies
and nurseries with my products just makes me so happy - a real sense of
achievement.
Working from home with a young baby/toddler means knowing when its
work time and when its mummy time a lot easier said than done. I
rely heavily on marketing Le Petit Bonbon through social media these days
and having all the applications on my mobile phone means it is too easy to
be glued to my phone which obviously doesnt go down well with the toddler
(understandably!) All my product development, photography, editing and
marketing - not to mention order making gets done from home and as my
son is not in full time school yet this means working during nap time and
after he's gone to bed - Lets just say I more than burn the midnight oil every
week.
What would your advice be to any parent wanting to start up their own
business?
Before you jump into a venture like this, ensure you study the market you
want to enter in thoroughly - this includes understanding how other
businesses in your field set up their websites, I learnt the hard way with my
first website. Make sure you are competent in using social media as it is a
great help in networking and getting your company/brand exposed to
potential customers, reviewers and publications.
Website: www.lepetitbonbon.co.uk
Email: info@lepetitbonbon.co.uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lepetitbonbonlondon
Twitter: https://twitter.com/_LePetitBonbon
Instagram: http://instagram.com/lepetitbonbonlondon
Parents & Business Parents & Business
BOPALONG was founded in 2011 by me, Feyi
Jegede, with inspiration from my 3 wonderful
children. Now aged 6, 5 and 3 years, they have
certainly been the driving force behind it. Its
concept, idea and development has been very
much influenced and guided by them all. Many
of the elements in our BOPALONG dances have
their input and unique stamp all over it! I often
say that, Without my children, there would be
no BOPALONG.
BOPALONG has been created from my childrens
perspective, through their wonderful eyes and
their love of dancing. I believe our motto
BOPALONG, lovingly created by my little ones
for your little ones! truly reflects that.
BOPALONG came about following a series of
events that took place in my life in 2011 the
birth of my 3rd child, being made redundant
from my job of 5 years; and the breakdown of
my marriage. It was of course a very difficult and
emotional time for me but I found a lot of solace
and joy in the company of my 3 children. I
concentrated my efforts on enjoying and
spending my time with them and my new-born.
One of the things that we loved doing most of
all was Dancing! moving about and dancing
together to music and rhyme songs. I noticed
that my children loved dancing, but more
importantly that they loved dancing with Me.
They would always ask me to teach them a
dance, and then get me to join in with them to
dance to the music. I noticed the joy and smiles
that came upon their faces when we danced
together; and I soon realised the fun and joy of
dancing with me made my children become
more confident, happier, and loosened their
inhibitions. I also found dancing together to be
a great way to bond with my children, and it was
something we could all do together as a family.
Another plus was that it also allowed me to be
a positive role model for them too despite
everything else that was going on around us. It
was this love of dancing together that sparked
something in me and the idea for BOPALONG
was borne.
BOPALONG is a pre-school dance class for little
ones to Bop and dance-together with their
mums, dads, or carers to nursery, rhyme and
dance songs. It is aimed at Boys and Girls from
18 months to 5 years old.
First and foremost, I hope to be a positive role
model for my 3 children. I want them to look at
me and say My mummy did it! I hope to inspire
them to believe in their dreams, to know that
despite challenges or set-backs that they too can
achieve whatever they set their minds too. Of
course for BOPALONG, I hope that people will
fall in love with it, and that it will become
recognised for its Uniqueness and FUN. I would
love it to see it become a successful and
reputable brand of pre-school dance in the not
too distant future. Finally, if I can inspire other
mums and mumpreneurs out there too, not to
let set-backs or challenges stop you from
pursuing your dream, then I would have
achieved so much!
What has been the highlight of starting your
own company?
It has to be the feeling and sense of
accomplishment I feel along this
journey of starting and growing a
business. When I manage to tick off a
task from my to do list, whether big or
small, this makes me feel proud of
myself. But the biggest highlight of all
is when parents and their children tell
me how much they love what we have
created in BOPALONG; and they leave
each class and session with beaming smiles on
their faces. It truly is priceless.
What has been the downside of starting your
own company?
I would have to say constantly eating, sleeping
(hardly ever!), breathing and dreaming of
BOPALONG, as I try my very hardest to make it
a success. It can be very difficult sometimes to
switch off from working, but I always try not to
lose the essence of who or what I am about
and that is a mum first and foremost to my lovely
children.
What would your advice be to any parent
wanting to start up their own business?
The best advice Ive ever heard was from
Dragons Den James Caan and he said Dont get
too worked up trying to make your business idea
perfect. The best thing for you to do is to get it
out there and refine it in the market place! I
would say that advice has certainly rung true
with me. Secondly I would say buy a notebook
I never leave home without one. The reason is
ideas can come to you at any time, so writing
things down can help you to gather your
thoughts. It also serves as a constant reminder
of the things you need to do and tick off to
achieve your goals. Finally I would say GO FOR
IT! Dont let fear of failure, your ability or skills
stop you from at least trying!
Website: www.bopalong.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bopalong
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Bopalong_Feyi
Mobile: 07411 399 375
Parents & Business
The brains behind the Sock Ons brand is
mum of six boys Kezi Levin. Kezi Levin
is not your typical mum. She married
straight out of high school and spent
her first four years of married life in the
company of Londons hippest, studying
at Central Saint Martins College of Art
and Design, which, famous for pushing
boundaries, numbers Lucien Freud,
Alexander McQueen and Mike Leigh
amongst its alumni.
With a hectic schedule came a new
pursuit: I am constantly thinking of
how to make life easier - I have always
been a mad inventor and my mind spins
around at 100 miles per hour! It was a
case of necessity proving to be the
mother of invention that yielded her
first creation which sells in their
thousands worldwide, Sock Ons! Kezi
says We had a family wedding mid-
winter and my three month old baby
had to join the retinue in black trousers
and the works. He never, ever managed
to keep a sock on his foot for more than
a minute and I was getting so desperate
I almost made him wear a pair of tights
for the occasion but his elder brothers
would have none of it so in the end he
went cold footed. After extensive
research I had found nothing to deal
with the lost sock / cold feet syndrome
and knew I had to come up with a
solution. The Sock Ons idea came while
I was trying to fall asleep that night: I
got up, cut up my own tights, made a
prototype and it worked. Levins
product of softly woven elasticated
material that locks babies socks
gently and firmly in place was designed
out of sheer frustration.
Since then the Sock Ons portfolio has
been extended to include a range of
nursery products which complement
each other. Next up came the
innovative Dribble Ons bibs which like
Sock Ons come in every colour
imaginable and then the supremely
popular Mocc Ons slipper socks for
babies and toddlers. Most recently,
Kezi launched the unique Plod Ons
collection for crawling babies. These
cute woven knee protectors look
fantastic and protect babys precious
knees.
Sock Ons and the Ons brand is about
finding simple effective solutions to
common parenting problems. We strive
to create products that mums cannot
live without and we love it when we
hear that mums recommend our ranges
all the time. Even better when we spot
babies sporting our products!
The Ons brand will continue to grow
from strength to strength. The
company is constantly evolving as we
seek to invent the latest mummy must-
have. There is so much scope for our
brand so watch this space!
What has been the highlight of starting
your own company?
Seeing Sock Ons stocked in some of the
biggest UK retailers was just
overwhelming and when we heard we
had won an inventors award in our first
year it was a definite highlight. In fact
every time I see a new invention come
to fruition, it makes me feel proud of
how much I have achieved.
What has been the downside of
starting your own company?
Obviously juggling 6 children, all of
whom have come along during the first
few years of the company, is hard at
times. However, I have a great support
system and am doing what I love and
the boys are really proud of what I do
which makes all the juggling
worthwhile.
What would your advice be to any
parent wanting to start up their own
business?
When it comes to offering advice to
others, Levins message is
straightforward: if anyone says you
cant, say you can. I was told that I
would never finish my degree or do so
many other things, just because of all
the other commitments I was juggling.
Take it as a challenge and make the
most out of every situation. Dont fight
the stage of life you are in - see it as a
blessing and try to incorporate it and
work with it. I am blessed to have such
a wonderful, supportive family and a
career that allows me to work from
home, even though my office looks like
a playroom.
Website: www.sockons.co.uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sock.ons
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SockOns
Email: info@SockOns.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0) 20 8451 1516
Who is behind the brand / DVD?
Just me, it was my vision, I made it. I went back to college and studied pre and
post natal exercise and Tony, who was my band mate with Liberty-X, has his own
production company and so we joined partnership and made this DVD. Tony
produced it and I created the workouts. Im fronting it, theres no other person
behind it, besides me.
What made you want to create a fitness DVD?
I met my husband and he is head of personal trainers for Virgin Active. He was
qualified in all of these areas and I had a period where I wasnt working and I
thought I want to go back and study something, what shall I do and there was this
personal training. So I did the course and qualified after studying pre and post
natal as a specialist subject.
This is such a contrast to what you were doing before and your celebrity status
as a recording artist?
Absolutely, now I feel like I am combining this with my celebrity life which is nice.
What do you hope to achieve with the DVD / future aspirations?
To educate women that they can work out in pregnancy. During my first preg-
nancy I wasnt sure myself and ended up not doing much and in this pregnancy I
was doing the DVD and following the plan and saw so many more benefits both
with my body, I was more supple, childbirth was easier, post birth was easier,
getting my post-body back was easier. Whether women want to admit it or not
its an important thing to have.
What has been the highlight of launching the DVD?
Seeing it launched at The Baby Show, Birmingham - it was very close to the wire
as it got held up and we only got them just before the show.
What did it feel like being crowned Disney Mum of the Year?
Amazing, the fact that it was voted for by the public, so by mums, so I feel really
proud that Ive related to them in some way which is an awesome feeling. Its
not just voted by a board of people stuck behind a desk who dont really know
what its all about.
You are an incredible inspiration to many women after all that youve experi-
enced, what would you say to someone just diagnosed with the same condition?
I think everyone just needs to make their own decisions because there are so
many different options, different surgeries, different reconstruction surgeries,
there are so many different things out there. There are pills now. Make it for
you, dont make it for anyone else, because everyone is different. To undergo a
surgery that is preventative is a really hard decision, because its not like you
have cancer and you have no choice - you have a choice and its really hard to
make.
Will there be a follow-up DVD to this one?
There might be a post baby DVD, we are in discussions about that at the moment.
Finally, whats the best thing about being a mummy?
The best thing about being a mum is their smiles and their hugs and the warmth
that they give you - its unconditional even when you tell them off, they still want
to cuddle you, they dont hold it against you.
When Nickie MetMichelle Heaton
Celebrity Parent Prof ile:
Michelle Heaton is a BRIT award-winning pop star, TV personality and recently
crowned Disney Celebrity Mum of the Year 2014. Not only that, she is a FETAC
qualified personal trainer with further qualifications in pre and post pregnancy
exercise. We had the amazing opportunity of interviewing Michelle at The Baby
Show in Birmingham on the launch of her DVD - Active Pregnancy!
Read below to see what spurred her on and how she juggles celebrity life with that
of being a busy mum of 2 children.
Website: http://www.michelleheatonfitness.com/
Email: info@thecellproductions.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/wonderwomanshel
Competition Time:
For your chance to win a copy of Michelle Heatons great
Active Pregnancy DVD - simply answer the following
question:
Where did Michelle officially launch her DVD?
a) The Baby Show - Birmingham
b) The Baby Show - Excel
c) The Baby Show - Olympia
Email your answers to: nickie@babybuzzmagazine.com
(Competition closes on 12 July 2014)
'Michelle Heaton Active Pregnancy' is available on DVD
now from Amazon and www.michelleheatonfitness.com
In todays world, most of us are obsessed with beauty. Unfortunately, this
usually means looking at beauty externally rather than internally. External
beauty is a reflection of our internal health and I usually advise that we
begin by looking at our internal terrain.
Whatever is going on in our internal environment is ultimately reflected
in how flawless, vibrant and healthy our skin is. When our cells regenerate
they need the right conditions a clean toxic-free environment, oxygen
and nutrients in order to regenerate correctly. This can be best described
by the work of Dr. Alexis Carrel, Noble prize-winner who stated:
The cell is immortal, it is merely the fluid in which it floats that
degenerates. Renew this fluid at regular intervals, give the cell
what it requires for nutrition, and as far as we know, the
pulsation of life can go on forever.
Dr. Carrel kept a chicken heart cell alive for 28 years, far outliving the
lifespan of a chicken, which is 7-12 years. The cells did not die of ageing,
they died as a result of the laboratory assistant forgetting to clean the
cells external terrain. I suspect he didnt keep his job for long after that!
1. So what else causes our cells to die prematurely?
2. Why does cell turnover have to slow down as we revolve
around the sun?
3. What causes the decline in collagen, elasticity and wrinkles?
I will try to answer these questions as simply as possible in laymans terms.
For cells to regenerate successfully they need three things:
1. Water 2. Nutrients 3. Oxygen
Water is vital for cells. I always advise that we drink three litres of fresh,
clean drinking water every day, not including teas and vegetable juices.
It is prudent not to drink tap water if we are to live a long and youthful
life. Our tap water contains fluoride, chlorine and heavy metals which
the water filtration system in the UK is unable to get rid of. It also contains
traces of pesticides, chemicals, cement, narcotics and pharmaceuticals.
The authorities will argue that they are in such small amounts that they
affect us very minimally but I would argue that this, along with all of the
other stresses we put on our bodies, are responsible for our premature
ageing and other diseases.
The answer is simple. Drink glass-bottled water, never plastic, and/or buy
a water filter for the home. The latter is relatively inexpensive and does
save an incredible amount of money compared to buying bottled water.
Water is the first line of defence when it comes to cleaning our internal
terrain and getting rid of toxins and waste material. It also keeps our cells
well hydrated and looking youthful.
We also need nutrients in the form of amino acids, lipids, micro-nutrients,
vitamins, minerals and the right types of fats. Every second our cells
replace one million cells, therefore we have to continuously have the right
building blocks for our cells if they are to regenerate perfectly.
This is the reason why our nutrition is paramount and we need to source
the best raw ingredients possible (apologies for going on about organic
food but I truly believe there is no other way). Non-organic food contains
pesticides, in some cases it is irradiated to kill some, if not most, of the
enzymes within the food which allows the food to last longer without
going off, in short giving it a longer shelf life.
By Ruben Trabares
How to look good at 100!
Health & Wellbeing
So what are the daily choices we make that affect the daily rate of our
skin and what can we do as individuals and as family members to ensure
we not only nourish ourselves but also our families to the best of our
abilities? We have to be aware of what products we are buying and
bringing into our home. Organic chemical free toiletries, cosmetics and
chemical free cleaning products are essential. Unfortunately most of the
best-known products on the market all contain petroleum derivatives,
especially beauty products and the irony is that these products are put
on the market to make us look better. I have listed below a list of the most
dangerous ones.
PCBs (Polychlorinated Biphenyls) banned for decades but still present
in our environment. PCBs have been known to cause cancer and impair
foetal development. Farm raised salmon are fed ground up fish that have
absorbed PCBs so I would stick to wild fish wherever possible.
Pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and insecticides are all carcinogenic,
hence the reason I advocate organic food. Some of the risks associated
with these are nerve damage, birth defects, Parkinsons Disease and
malabsorption.
You should also avoid the following: Parabens, Methylparabens,
Benzoate, Alkyl Parahydroxy, Fragrance, Lisoparaben, Butyl Paraben,
Propylene Glycol, Propylparaben, FD&C color pigments, Benzene,
Petrolatum, Parafin
The list is endless but I have only added what I think are the most dangerous.
All of these toxins cause inflammation and it is my opinion that
inflammation is the major cause of disease and premature ageing. So
lowering inflammation is the key, consuming foods such as sugar,
processed foods and rancid fats triggers inflammatory responses within
the body. So the best way to avoid all of these toxins is to eat free-range
organic meats, if I had to pick just two they would always be eggs and
chicken. Try to stick to wild fish, avoid processed foods, clean your home
with natural cleaning products such as vinegar, lemon and bicarbonate of
soda; ozone is also an amazing cleaning product. Use natural brands of
toiletries, especially your tooth paste, making sure it has no chalk, SLF and
sodium fluoride (I can hear the screams now What, no fluoride in our
toothpaste? I suggest you do your own research on this one). Also avoid
artificial air fresheners, dryer sheets and fabric softeners etc.
Try to get plenty of safe sun exposure to boost vitamin D levels and your
immune system. 15 minutes a day should be fine but try not to have a
shower for two hours after sun exposure to allow the vitamin D produced
on the skin to soak through into your system.
Eating yourself young
Juicing is a great way to remain young and in some cases reverse the
ageing process.
My favourite juice recipe is:
Pineapple, Turmeric, Ginger, Lemon, Wild Kale
Try for the most part to cook at home and when
eating out learn to make the right choices when it
comes to sauces. Avoid the microwave at all costs
and do not be shy to ask when eating out if your food
as ever been in the microwave.
Use honey and stevia instead of sugar and add
things like sauerkraut to your meals not only
is it full of digestive enzymes but it gets rid of
the sugar cravings at the end of your meals.
Last but not least, sleep. There is no way around it, sleep is vitally
important when it comes to looking younger. When we sleep we release
growth hormone which aids in our healing and regeneration process.
If you follow this advice, while I cant guarantee you will live to be 100
years old, I can say with confidence that you will be one of the freshest-
faced, most sprightly people in that old folks home!
Please join me on Twitter and Facebook and
keep your questions coming in to myself and
Peter Marcasciano, one of the worlds top
experts on health, nutrition and
physiotherapy. To get the inside track to a
healthier life, please follow us on the
following:
Twitter: @rubentabares, @petemfitness
Facebook: RubenTabaresFitness
Website: http://www.rubentabares.com/
READER QUESTION
New Mum Sharon asks:
Ive just become a mummy and want to give my baby the
best possible start. What can I do to produce a richer, fuller
breast milk?
Ruben Says:
Dear Sharon,
Congratulations on being a new mum!
The best way to ensure richer, more nutritious breast milk
for your baby is to obviously make sure that you're getting
all of the right nutrients.
We can begin by making sure that your water intake is high,
at least 3.5 litres of water per day especially on hot days.
A well balanced organic and free range diet is of course the
best but it is really a time when natural supplements are
imperative and I will list some of the ones that I think are
the most important:
Marine Phytoplankton
Krill oil
Bee Pollen
Hemp seeds
Hemp seed oil
Maca
Acai
Cacao
Avocados
Coconut oilKefir
Chlorella/Spirulina
If you try any of these, preferably all of them, you will find
your breast milk will contain everything your baby needs and
more.
Let me know how you get on.
Ruben
Health & Wellbeing
Lindsey has had over 6 years of hands-on practitioner experience as
well as 5 years working in the natural products industry. She now
works with Mahi Naturals, the sole UK distributor of Hopes Relief,
Australias #1 natural skincare range. Below she talks about common
allergens and triggers what to look out for with certain skin
conditions.
The differences in certain skin conditions can be very confusing and the
words Eczema and Dermatitis can often be used interchangeably.
The most important thing to help you manage the problem is identify-
ing the exacerbating factors and learning the tools to help you manage
the condition best. Here are some common triggers and allergens to
look out for and what to do about them:
COMMON FOOD TRIGGERS. These usually include cows milk (dairy),
eggs, soya, wheat, fish and nuts. Solanceae or deadly nightshade family
food groups can also cause problems with some people. Foods within
this category include, potatoes, aubergines, cucumbers and peppers. I
often find that tomatoes and orange juice can be the hidden food
culprits in conditions such as eczema (and they can also make conditions
such as arthritis worse too!).
GOOD FOODS. As long as you arent allergic to fish, try to eat plenty of
clean cold water oily fish (e.g. mackerel, herring, sardines) or take an
Omega 3 fish oil supplement to help reduce some inflammation within
the body. Make sure you pick one with a good level of EPA. Reduce high
intake of meat (as this can increase inflammation within the body).
Make sure you eat your 5 a day or preferably more! Blueberries and
avocado are some of my favourites for healthy skin.
AVOID ALCOHOL. Alcohol can dry the skin and exacerbate itching. In my
experience, its one of the worst culprits!
DRINK PLENTLY OF WATER. Make sure you get your 2 litres of water a
day. I like to start the day off with a glass of hot water and a squeeze of
lemon to cleanse the system.
COMMON TOPICAL IRRITANTS: Avoid detergents and surfactants. This
can range from household cleaning agents to the things we use to clean
our own bodies. Typical culprits include sodium laureth sulfate, or
sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES). These are found in many body washes
and shampoos as a cheap foaming agent and can strip the skin of natural
oils. Dont over-wash and choose natural, unperfumed products.
LATEX GLOVES. You may think you are protecting your hands when
washing up and cleaning by wearing gloves, and you well might be, but
be aware that often we are allergic to the gloves as well as the
detergents we are using!
WATCH OUT FOR FABRIC POWDERS AND FABRIC CONDITIONERS. You
can generally use less detergent in soft water areas, so try to reduce
the amount you use and opt for nonbiological for sensitive skin types
without colours and perfumes added.
WATCH OUT FOR HIDDEN IRRITANTS. Nickel found in many jewellery
items, studs on jeans, zips and watch straps can all cause allergic
reactions in some people, as can leather dye and tannins. Watch out if
going bare foot in summer sandals or where belts and straps may touch
the skin!
BEAT THE DUST! Dust can be a common trigger for a lot of people and
its the dust mite droppings that are the problem! Wooden floors are
better than carpets (although easier said than done to re-furbish your
house!). Wet-dust furniture frequently, use a vacuum with a good filter
and vacuum the mattress at least once a week. Regularly ventilate
rooms. Put soft toys in the freezer in a plastic bag for 24 hours to kill
any mites on them and if the toys are washable, wash them at or above
60C. Try to keep humidity low (for example, do not dry washing on the
radiator).
MANAGE STRESS. Stress is a common trigger which also seems to make
scratching worse. Seek help if you are suffering from stress. Counselling,
yoga, gentle exercise, meditation and sometimes a good old chat with
a trusty friend can help ease some of lifes pressures.
REST AND RELAXATION. Its true what they say - regular, sound sleep
can help many things including the repair of skin or our ability to manage
it and face the day ahead.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST - DO NOT SCRATCH! This may be the biggest
challenge of all when your skin is driving you mad but scratching only
damages the skin further and can also introduce harmful bacteria into
the wound. This causes further inflammation, irritation and possible
infection.
To purchase Hopes Relief products go to www.hopes-relief.com
Health & Wellbeing
Understanding your skin!
Health & Wellbeing
Ease teething tots with Nelsons Teetha Teething Granules
At around six months old your little ones personality will be beginning to
develop making it a super exciting time for parents. Not only will you be
getting to know your babies quirks and traits, but they will also be
starting to meet some of their first big milestones one of which is when
their milky whites start to poke through their gums! Although a
milestone, teething can cause discomfort for baby which can be stressful
for parents, with a recent study* by Nelsons Baby even revealing that
over a third (39%) of parents state that its the most distressing ailment
for parents (*A survey conducted on 2015 UK adults, by Atomik Research
on behalf of Nelsons)!
Teething tots and their parents will all need some help to provide relief
from new and emerging teeth. Nelsons Teetha Teething Granules is a
homeopathic remedy specially formulated for the soothing and calming
relief of the symptoms of teething. It is ready-dosed in a convenient
granule format that simply dissolves in a babys mouth to help provide
teething pain relief. It contains a 6c homeopathic potency of natural
Chamomilla.
Nelsons Teetha gives some handy hints to help
soothe a teething baby:
Try putting your little one into a warm
bath to help calm them down. After the
bath give your baby a gently massage
while rubbing baby oil on them.
Keep teething toys in the fridge to help
soothe gums. The coldness of the
teething toy provides a numbing effect. You could also wet a clean
washcloth and freeze it in a plastic bag to keep it clean.
Run a clean finger very gently over sore gums, the gentle pressure
might help soothe the pain.
Try giving your little one a product like Nelsons Teetha Teething
Granules which can help relieve the symptoms associated with
teething.
Nelsons Teetha Teething Granules costs 5.10 Available from Boots,
Holland and Barrett, selected grocers, Lloyds pharmacies and all good
independent health food and pharmacy stores. Always read the label.
Terrible Teething - How to help your toddler!
Baby Buzz Magazine has teamed up with Nelsons Teetha to offer one
lucky Mum the chance to win a 55 Mothercare Babymel Cara Stripe
Navy Changing bag worth 55 filled with a selection of Nelsons goodies
including Nelsons Arnicare Arnica Kids Stick and a bottle of Rescue
Remedy Spray.
Nelsons Teetha Teething Granules is a homeopathic medicinal product
used within the homeopathic tradition for the symptomatic relief of
teething pain and the symptoms associated with teething, which are
sore and tender gums, flushed cheeks and dribbling. For babies 3
months and over. Contains Chamomilla 12c, Belladonna 12c & Aconite
12c.
Nelsons Teetha Teething Granules come ready-dosed in a convenient
granule format that simply dissolves in a babys mouth to help provide
teething pain relief. It contains a 6c homeopathic potency of natural
Chamomilla. Always read the label.
For your chance to win, simple answer the following question:
Q) How much does Nelsons Teetha retail for?
a) 3.99 b) 8.99 c) 5.10
Email your answer to us at:
Info@babybuzzmagazine.com
*If you are concerned about any symptoms that your baby may have, in particular if they have a fever, please consult your doctor.
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ESTABLISHED SINCE 1992
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www.larahaupairs.co.uk
To help with childcare and housework
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7 July
Theres a reason why the personal training
industry is thriving in this country with
over 20,000 personal trainers working in
the UK at present. Working with a
personal trainer is one of the fastest,
easiest and most successful ways to
improve your health and fitness. If youre
trying to lose weight or keep fit but keep
falling off the wagon, its worth knowing
why a personal trainer could make the
difference. But are the myths around
using a personal trainer putting you off?
Here are some of the most common myths and
the truth behind them according to Andy McGylnn, Director of Lifestyle
Fitness Personal Training,www.lsfpt.co.uk who has trained and
mentored over a thousand personal trainers.
1. Personal training isnt worth it and I can just set my own
programme at the gym
Of course you can do your own programme, just like you can go to a
golfdriving range and swing one ball after another down the range, all
the while, setting up bad habits in your swing and never reallyimproving
after a certain point. 98% of people I have tested are moving less than
50% efficiently as they could be when they exercise; possibly using the
wrong muscles and with deficiencies in their diet that arent helping the
process. Exercise and nutrition are an art and a science, information is
changing and being updated all the time. Personal trainers provide you
with the most up to date and cutting edgeinformation to ensure that
any time you do spend setting up your own programme will be
maximised. Many people dont realise that they might only need
acouple of appointments with a personal trainer tocorrect oraddress
a few points.
2. Its expensive
Its about value and perceived value. Nothing is expensive its just a
question of whether the value stacks up for you. To correct your
posture, improve your sleep, relieve the ache in your lower back, get
you the fitnessresults you desire inhalf the time and get youfeeling
and looking better than you have done in years - along with the
knowledge that everything you take from the session you can keep
forever Id say thats value.
3. Personal trainers are strict
Good Personal Trainers have a duty of care to their clients to ensure
the results and changes are agreed. Sometimes old habits may need to
be gently challenged or changed. Ive never really bought into a
coaching style that forces people through shouting or fear, its just not
a long term strategy for change. Understanding the client and why
certain behaviours are adopted or repeated is the best starting point -
for good trainers.
4. Personal trainers make you do weights
Any good trainer should show you how resistance and weight bearing
activity yields benefits to your body extending far beyond simply toning
the muscle. Resistance training comes in many forms and a good trainer
will have you doing a free weight routine that you enjoy and recognise
the benefits from. Resistance training can in fact improve bone density,
metabolic rate, range of motion of joints, as well as some far deeper
and health related benefits such as enhancing your bodys ability to
manage sugars effectively.
5. Personal trainers can only help me with my fitness needs
For the first 2 years of my career, I was all about fitness as a trainer -
now my lead product is health related issues and lifestyle factors. So
much so, that I actually dont have any clients with a primary goal of
fitness any more. Personal training has taken a very interesting turn
over the past decade. Personal training qualifications and certifications
are much more relevant now and go into a great deal of depth learning
about specific health related issues and how to provide naturopathic
solutions to support or recover the client.
6. You cant work with a personal trainer when youre pregnant
Some of the best personal trainers I have known have worked with have
a specialisation in pre and post natal training. If anything these types
of trainers will take the guess work, conjecture and hearsay completely
out of your regime and give you the facts on what you can and cannot
do to ensure an even healthier birth.
7. Working with a personal trainer is time consuming
Personal trainers tend to be prepared to work sessions around your life,
whether that be in the morning before work or later in the evening.
Time is no pre-requisite of a good workout or session. What constitutes
an effective workout is the plan and the progression from one session
to the next. An effective workout can be as short as 30 - 40 minutes.
In fact with the right preparation and layout, it would be possible to
make gains in a 20 minute workout.
8. Having a personal trainer guarantees results with no effort
There are certainly tips, advice and protocols that you may be able to
integrate into your diet or training regime that may appear to expedite
results or kick start the weight loss, such as protocols for activating
lipolysis (fat burning), but as with anything worth having in life, a bit of
effort and application is required. Ive always preferred knowing why
I am doing something and I tend to pass this assumption onto my clients,
it results in me explaining the reasoning or research behind each
decision or process I carry out with them or why we may perhaps do 5
reps as opposed to 10 or squats as opposed to leg extensions, etc.
For more information, please visit: www.lsfpt.co.uk
Health & Wellbeing
COMMON MYTHS ABOUT PERSONAL TRAINERS DEBUNKED
Andy McGlynn
With just under 15,000 views and downloads online every month and a distribution of 5,000 all over
the UK (via 400+ nurseries), hospitals, Pearsons Department store, Enfield and Harris & Hoole branches,
you can get your business seen from just 75.00 for a quarter page!
Advertising slots are available on our website from just 35 per month (discounts available for 3 months
or more)
Billie Faiers was recently
joined by fellow pregnant
ladies on Primrose Hill,
Londons most famous bump,
to support the British Heart
Foundations (BHF) Fight For
Every Heartbeat campaign,
which aims to raise awareness
of inherited heart conditions.
Billie, who found fame on The
Only Way is Essex and is seven months pregnant with her first child,
bared her bump along with a number of pregnant women. The campaign
is highlighting the 50:50 chance that someone with an inherited heart
condition has of passing it on to their unborn child, emphasising the
need for more research into these potentially deadly conditions. Billie
is calling on all pregnant women to #BareYourBump in support of the
campaign and share their photographs on social media.
Billie comments: Its fantastic to see so many pregnant women helping
raise awareness of inherited heart conditions for the BHF. We need to
do everything we can to raise money and invest in research which can
dramatically help those living with inherited heart conditions. Join me
today and #BareYourBump for the BHF. Amy Thompson, Senior Cardiac
Nurse at the BHF, adds: An estimated half a million people in the UK
could be living with a faulty gene putting them at an unusually high risk
of developing heart disease or dying suddenly at a young age. Our hope
is that as many expectant mums as possible will join our fight for every
heartbeat and share a photo of their own bump, using #BareYourBump,
to raise awareness of inherited heart conditions. To donate, please
text FIGHT to 85080 to give 3. With your help, we can fund more
research and help make major breakthroughs in the diagnosis and
treatment of inherited heart conditions.
Inherited heart conditions run in families and can affect those youd
least expect, including the young and the fit. BHF researchers have
helped us better understand and detect inherited heart conditions and
they are working relentlessly towards beating them, but they need the
publics help to fund more research and save more lives.
#BareYourBump and share a picture on social media to support the
BHFs Fight For Every Heartbeat campaign. Text FIGHT to 85080 and
give 3 to join the fight against inherited heart conditions.*
Health & Wellbeing
The British Heart Foundation (BHF) estimates that around half a million
people in the UK could be living with a faulty gene putting them at
unusually high risk of developing heart disease or dying suddenly at a
young age. This deadly legacy can span generations someone living
with an inherited heart condition has a 50:50 chance of passing it onto
their children. As a result the BHF has today launched its Fight for
Every Heartbeat campaign to highlight the importance of urgent
research into inherited heart conditions hidden within so many family
trees. Previous estimates suggested up to 380,000 people could be
living with a faulty gene but underdiagnosis means this figure may be
much higher. Each year around 600 apparently healthy people aged 35
or under are victims of sudden cardiac death with no explanation,
leaving families shocked and distraught. Despite advancements in
research into inherited heart conditions many faulty genes still remain
undiscovered. Finding those genes is the first step towards developing
improved genetic tests to find people at risk. An early diagnosis can
mean the difference between life and death.
Professor Peter Weissberg, Medical Director at the BHF, said: We
urgently need to accelerate research into inherited heart conditions.
Over recent years researchers have made great strides in identifying
some of the genes that cause inherited heart conditions. A genetic test
in a child of an affected parent can save their life. More research is now
urgently needed to identify all the genes responsible for these deadly
disorders. Pinpointing genes which cause inherited heart conditions
will allow affected children to be protected and, in the long term, will
lead to new treatments to overcome the effects of the faulty gene.
The campaign has just launched on television and online and features
a baby, Zara, whose mum discovered that she had a faulty gene for an
inherited heart condition before she became pregnant. She knew that
there was a 50:50 chance it could be passed onto her baby. Like baby
Zara in the advert, Helens daughters had a 50:50 chance of inheriting
her dangerous heart condition. Helen, 38, from Cornwall, discovered
the condition when she was pregnant with her second daughter,
Abigail. Tests later revealed that Abigail did not inherit the faulty gene,
but her eldest daughter Isobelle had inherited the gene. Helen said:
When I collapsed on a family day out, our lives changed forever.
Concerned doctors tested me for a gene which causes an inherited
heart condition. I tested positive. Just as I was getting to grips with
what this would mean for me, I was told there was a 50:50 chance my
daughters could have the gene too. When tests showed Isobelle had
the gene, I worried what the future would hold for her. But she is a
little fighter she takes beta blockers as syrup every day and goes into
hospital for ECG testing. My family is living proof that these genes can
be passed on to children with the same odds as a toss of a coin. Were
so lucky that doctors spotted my symptoms and tested my girls as soon
as they could.
Coronary heart disease is the UKs single biggest killer. Our work has
been central to the discoveries of vital treatments that are changing
the fight against heart disease. But so many people still need our help.
From babies born with life-threatening heart problems to the many
Mums, Dads and Grandparents who survive a heart attack and endure
the daily battles of heart failure. Join our fight for every heartbeat in
the UK. Every pound raised, minute of your time and donation to our
shops will help make a difference to peoples lives.
For more information visit bhf.org.uk.
TOWIE star raises awareness of inherited heart conditions
Inherited heart conditions force families to gamble on
genetic roulette
Health & Wellbeing
Drger has completed a major project with North Middlesex
University Hospital to support the opening of a new women and
childrens centre and to help the hospital provide high levels of care
for thousands of newborn babies each year.
The new women and childrens centre, which includes a neonatal unit,
is part of an 80million expansion at North Middlesex University
Hospital. An extra 1,800 babies a year are expected to be delivered
at the hospital, bringing the total number of births to 5,500. Drger
worked with North Middlesex University Hospital through the lifecycle
of the project. This included providing ceiling supply units, and
supplying a range of equipment to care for the complex needs of
preterm babies within the neonatal unit.
Drger provided neonatal ventilation life support technology,
incubators to maintain the new-born temperature and jaundice
management devices. Drger also continues to work closely with the
staff, offering ongoing training and support. Felicity Manning,
Neonatal Account Manager at Drger, said: We were delighted to
be selected to work with North Middlesex University Hospital at this
exciting time as it expands to serve more people across North London. As the hospital begins to see more patients and birth rates increase,
its vital that preterm babies, who are often the most vulnerable, are able to receive potentially life-saving treatment. In the UK one in 10
babies are born prematurely, which means they are less than 37 weeks old at the time of birth. This equates to around 8,000 babies each
year in the UK who could be more likely to have complications such as breathing problems, infection, jaundice and defects such as heart
valve abnormalities. We have developed a great relationship with the staff at North Middlesex University Hospital and the investment made
by the hospital has ensured that newborn babies in the area will have access to vital equipment which can save lives and help babies achieve
a healthy weight.
Janet Broughton, Neonatal Matron from North Middlesex University Hospital said: Our new unit is stunning. We are able to nurse very sick
babies in a high tech, yet calm environment. Were delighted to have been able to equip our new neonatal unit with so much excellent
equipment - it gives our babies the best chance possible for a healthy future and gives their mums the reassurance they want that their babies
will do well in our care. Felicity and her team have supported the neonatal unit from design and installation right through to ongoing support
and training."
North Middlesex University Hospital
invests in vital neonatal care
After just one year in the air, The Childrens Air Ambulance has helped
to save the lives of dozens of critically ill children and babies across
the country. On 12th May, the Charity, which is based at Coventry
Airport, celebrates the first anniversary of its maiden patient transfer.
The service has carried out 38 baby transfers and 31 clinician transfers.
Its helicopter has visited 22 cities and flown over 22,000 miles. All of
this has been achieved without any Government funding and solely
through the generous support of the public. The Childrens Air
Ambulance is the countrys first and only dedicated helicopter hospital
transfer service for critically ill children and babies.
With 95% of paediatric care centralised to just a handful of hospitals
across England and Wales, babies are often subjected to long and
gruelling journeys by land to get the treatment they need. The
Childrens Air Ambulance can carry out these hospital transfers four
times faster than a journey by road. If a baby is not well enough to
travel, its pilots can fly a specialist care team to them, increasing their
chance of survival. Today, The Childrens Air Ambulance wants to
ensure that people know about this vital service and is asking the public
to show their support with a donation to help ensure the service can
continue. On 12th May 2013, Theo Mikova was born, weighing less
than 5 pounds and fighting for his life. His oesophagus had failed to join
correctly to his stomach and he was unable to swallow. TCAA flew him
Scarborough Hospital to Hull Royal Infirmary to receive lifesaving
surgery. This journey would have taken at least an hour by road
TCAA completed the journey in just 15 minutes. Theo's dad Lee
Ratchford, 26, said: "As
soon as the word 'surgery'
was mentioned I started
crying and so did Denisa
(Theos mother). There
was a real possibility that
Theo wouldnt survive
unless he got to a hospital
that could perform the
surgery he needed. It was
the most traumatic experience. But we were assured everything would
be alright. We thought we would be going by land ambulance but then
the helicopter came for him. We were just so grateful that Theo was
safe and being looked after in the helicopter."
Dr Stephen Hancock, Lead Consultant for Embrace in charge of Theo's
care on board said: "In Theos case, as with most of the cases we deal
with on a daily basis, getting the patient to the treatment they need in
the fastest amount of time is paramount. However, time is not the
only factor we have to consider when moving a patient. It could also
have been potentially dangerous to move Theo by road due to the
fragility of his condition. We are far behind other western countries in
the provision of air transfer for paediatric patients and are thankful
for the work that The Children's Air Ambulance has been doing this
past year."
Theo recovered well from the surgery and went home a few days later.
He will be celebrating his first birthday in a few days but his life could
have been lost were it not for The Children's Air Ambulance. Andy
Williamson, CEO of The Children's Air Ambulance, says: "We are
delighted to see Theo, one year on, happy and healthy. Lots more
babies, like Theo, have benefitted from our service over the last 12
months and we are becoming busier every month. As we are funded
entirely by public donations, we urge everyone to spread the word and
help keep hope alive for critically ill children and their families."
The Charity needs to raise 134,000 every month to keep the its
helicopter flying.
To find out more about The Children's Air
Ambulance or to make a donation to the First
Birthday Appeal, please visit:
www.thechildrensairambulance.org.uk/firstbirthday
or call 08454 130 999.
Health & Wellbeing
The Children's Air Ambulance celebrates one year of flying high
Natures Purest has released a special limited edition of its Hug Me
Bear in support of Bliss, the special care baby charity - featuring the
tiny footprints of a baby born at just 27 weeks.
Just 300 of the Bears for Bliss have been produced, each wearing
a bib designed by mum Chloe White in a competition last year. The
design includes newborn footprints of her two-year old son Oscar
when he was born at 27 weeks weighing just 1lb 4oz.
All profit from the bears, made with 100 per cent organically grown
cotton with no added dyes or chemicals, will go towards Bliss, giving
vital support and care to premature and sick babies in the UK.
You can buy them online at www.naturespurest.co.uk but be
quick!
Natures Purest - Bears for Bliss
Natures Purest Bears for Bliss Hug
Me Bear www.naturespurest.co.uk
22
Health & Wellbeing
Drained to the point of
wanting to curl up and
collapse, confused and
a failure. For those of
you that have/are
breastfeeding, does this
sound familiar? This
was not the heavenly
image I had expected when I decided to
breastfeed, but after 2 days of my newborn baby
crying.... Or should I say screaming through what
I later found out was dehydration and hunger into
the early hours of the morning, I felt like the worst
mother in the world with no way of knowing what
I should do. Whilst pregnant, there was no doubt
in my mind that I wanted to breast feed. Although
my mum only breast fed me for the first 3 weeks,
compared to my sister who wasn't, she has always
suffered with illness whilst I seem to have been
wired with an Arnie-like immune system!
I had done some research and friends had sent
me wonderful blogs on other womens
experiences (don't be put off by these. Although
some are painful to begin, the ending is pretty
awesome with everyone benefiting and don't
forget everyone is different). My cupboard was
stocked with breast pads galore and a breast
pump for expressing. I was feeling ready to take
my best breast forward and bond with my little
one!
I was blessed with a VERY unexpected emergency
c section so I wasn't granted the gift of holding
my baby boy immediately to my breast to begin
our bond and to encourage him to suckle.
Instead, I had to wait for my first cuddle until
wheeled into my ward room. The midwives who
had been fabulous seemed a little inexperienced
when it came to advising me on breastfeeding.
In fact, it was pretty basic. So I took on what they
said and did what I felt was right. A baby's first
day is a blessing! They are so tired from an
obviously traumatic experience that they don't
say much (i.e. scream/cry) and want to sleep all
the way through their first night. I thought I had
been blessed with an angel and sent love and
sleep hugs to the lady opposite me who's 3 day
old little girl cried every 10 minutes. HA! Don't
be fooled by your little bundle of joy. The nurse
told me that my sleeping cherub would "wake up"
and do exactly what the whaling child opposite
was doing. Her comment kind of floating off down
the ward didn't burst my elation of love for my
angelic child.
And so I continued to breast feed, asking the
midwives if what I was doing was correct and
getting very brief instructions that left me thinking
I was best working this out myself (which is no
disrespect to the nurses as they had a lot of
people on their watch). It felt absolutely natural
and comfortable, although I did worry that he
wasn't really interested. Again, this is normal.
Their need for milk isn't really that great the first
day or two due to the journey of birth and not
really knowing what to do.
When Rafferty began to express a cry that
sounded painful to the heart of any mother, I
wondered if I was expressing anything, so I began
to massage my breasts working from the chest to
the nipple. Try not to go in too heavy handed as
a gentle stroke has a more pronounced effect and
it can also be quite tender. When your baby is
first born, you produce a substance called
colostrum which appears watery. This is
absolutely normal and with time and further
feeding will turn into the milk your baby desires.
And so to the emotionally draining early hours of
the morning of day two with screams from
Rafferty and desperation from both my husband
and I, an angel was sent in the form of a midwife
who helped to calm Raff down with a gorgeous
massage and a small bottle of formulae. Every
time he woke she got me to first feed from the
bottle and then gently go the breast. SCORE! I
felt the emotional weight lift from my shoulders.
This really helped the little one understand that
by sucking he would get something in return.
When I woke the next morning, my feelings of
being a failure faded and I remembered that this
wasn't about me or my feelings but the health and
happiness of Rafferty. Returning home from
hospital, I tried solely breastfeeding through the
night and felt totally overwhelmed, exhausted
and not supportive towards Rafferty. So my
husband and I decided I would breastfeed during
the day and bottle feed during the night. This
meant my husband got to share an intimate and
bonding part of Rafferty's growth which was
beautiful to watch.
This decision was met with slightly condescending
tones from midwives, the feeding team and
health carer who asked me who's idea it was and
why. For someone that promotes reacting in a
calm and non attached manor, I felt attacked and
undermined as a mother. "How dare they!" Were
the first thoughts in my mind. But when I thought
about it, it's clear they all read from the same
mechanical script.
Ladies - I'm a firm believer in listening to your gut
and if your gut tells you to do breast, do breast.
If it tells you to do bottle, do bottle. Both? indulge
in both. But never feel that your decision is a bad
one (there is no such thing as a bad decision when
it comes to feeding). Formulae is the best it's ever
been with lots of research going into them. You
know your child and you certainly know your
body, so listen closely and all your questions will
be answered.
If your worried or stressing over feeding, this is
going to reduce your milk flow allowing those
emotions and feelings a right of passage. Don't
give them the satisfaction!
Rafferty is now 6 weeks old and fully on the bottle.
Why? Because, I felt ready for the transition and
he had a fabulous relationship with his bottle. I
tried expressing, but felt what I was producing
wasn't enough to support my gorgeous little boy.
I stand by all of my decisions and have a fabulously
strong, healthy, happy little boy to show for it.
And that is what matters.
Formulae
After much research, I found HIPP organic
formulae which supports all stages of a babies
growth and development. This is available at
most chemists and supermarkets but do some
research as some have special offers and I found
Boots to be the cheapest.
Bottles
Dr Browns bottles are FABULOUS! Rafferty
suffered with severe wind (which is normal, with
boys suffering more than girls) 3 weeks from birth
and these came highly recommended by
everyone. They are geared towards babies with
colic, but can be used for wind too.
Breast Milk
Think of breastfeeding in terms of a 3 course meal.
Starters is the colostrum. This watery substance
is what quenches their thirst and hydrates them.
A fast suckling will be felt. Mains turns into a
milkier substance which sees them beginning to
slow down with the sucking. The desert is the
gorgeously thick creamy milk which is the stuff
they really want! Full of nutrients and all the stuff
they need, it will look like they're going to sleep.
Don't take them off the breast as this is normal.
They will unlatch themselves when they are full
and ready.
Best Breast Forward v. Tout the Teat!
By Abi Adams
Yoga
When you wake in the morning sit on the edge
of the bed, bring the arms up to shoulder height
and bend the elbows so the fingers are pointing
towards the ceiling. Gently pump the arms
(from the shoulders) up and down, keeping the
bend in the arm and fingers pointing up at all
times. The breasts can become really heavy
when feeding and when weening the baby off
the breast so this is great for reducing that
swollen/heavy feeling by stimulating the lymph
nodes. Do this as many times as you like, with
a minimum of 30 pumps.
Oolong
07951 101 049
www.loveoolongtime.com
Dear Joanne,
I have a concern for my 7 yr old daughter she has a sudden
outbreak of eczema on her elbows and bottom . She's never had
it before and it's SATs week at school asked her if she is stressed,
she said no but how can I help her I have applied sudocrem which
has helped take the redness away but nothing else!
Many thanks
Megan
Hi Megan
Poor love - so much going on for such a young person. For
eczema and dry skin conditions I use Oat Baths - which sound
crazy but I love them. I put some regular porridge oats into an
old (clean) sock and secure with a rubbber band. I then put this
in the bath with my son and it gives off a milky, nourishing liquid
with really helps to soften the skin and calm and soothe irritation.
Discard the oats once used, wash out the sock and set aside to
use it again!
Try and wash her not too often and use this rather than soaps.
I use raw coconut oil and cocoa butter to moisturise my sons dry
skin. For the stress side of things, quality time to help her
de-stress, but bear in mind that she probably can't put a label
on how she's feeling and what 'stress' is, but some 1 on 1 time
is always good.I also use chamomile
tea with honey for stress in
children,I can send you out a lovely
chamomile tea. Also avoid sugar
and dairy as they are often triggers
- cutting out helps but not always
possible especially with a youngster.
Let me know how you get on, I really hope that you can manage
to control this during this busy period in her life and that it
resolves - please follow up and if it's not improving we can
discuss other ways of helping to manage this.
Best of luck!
Joanne xxx
For more information, please visit or contact me on the following:
Health & Wellbeing
Tel: 07729 891 083
Email: info@jmherblist.co.uk
Website: www.jmherbalist.co.uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jmherbalist
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JMHerbalist
Family Focus
Shark attack! SwimFin welcomes Violet Fish to the family!
SwimFin, the worlds only shark
fin shaped swimming aid for
toddlers and children, is thrilled
to announce the launch of a
brand new colour for 2014. The
Violet Fish in purple is the latest
addition to the growing
collection of bright fins!
Due to popular demand, the
team behind the revolutionary
vertical buoyancy aid decided it
was time to introduce another
bright colour to the range to
ensure there really is a fin to suit
every little swimmer. Purple is
the perfect choice for boys or
girls, and its even Pantones
colour of the year, so anyone
choosing this particular fin is
sure be the envy of the marina!
Learning to swim with a fin is not
only a whole lot of fun, its a lot
easier too! Unlike traditional
flotation aids, SwimFin does not
restrict arms or legs, so little
ones have total freedom to kick
and splash about and master
those four key strokes. SwimFin
is worn on the back, so they help
children establish a natural
position in the water ensuring
there is no danger of tipping or
losing balance. The beauty of a
SwimFin is that its a self-
adjusting aid, adapting through each and every stage of learning to swim. It gives complete support when fully
submerged in the water, but can also be used to master swimming underwater. Wearing a SwimFin boosts
confidence, and you can guarantee parents will have no trouble convincing children to wear one; its a lot of fun
being a shark!
One thing is for sure, parents wont have any trouble spotting their kids with a purple fin on their back! The rich
jewel colour will stand out whether in the pool or playing by the seaside, this really is one exotic fish. Purple is a
favourite with both boys and girls, so siblings can match and parents can rest assured there will no arguments over
who has what colour. Little girls who have outgrown pink will love it, and its a funky and bright colour that boys
will love too. It can also be handed down to a younger relative, a SwimFin really will last for years and years.
For more information, please visit: www.swimf in.co.uk
Fashion Focus
With skyscraper heels, statement necklaces and beaded outfits
gathering dust in their wardrobes, 87% of new mums say their
impractical clothes are redundant the moment baby arrives. This
leaves them stuck in a wardrobe rut and means 76% wear the same
tired outfits several times a week.
In response to this research, Persil Non-Bio & Comfort Pure have
commissioned celebrity stylist Grace Woodward to help give mums
a style boost, with easy and practical tips on how to look great with
baby in tow. After all, with 73% of mums agreeing their babies have
a better wardrobe than them, its time to up the mummy style stakes!
Rationed Fashion: nearly all (87%) mums agree their wardrobes
are useless post baby, as pre-birth outfits become impractical when
looking after a new-born
The Breast Feed Need: a quarter of mums have no clothes they
feel they can breast feed in, resulting in awkward maneuvers and
complicated layering
Testing Time: mums spend on average 64% less time getting
themselves ready in the morning after a baby with a quarter of
mums taking an impressive five minutes or less; hardly surprising
given 44% of mums dont have time to think clothes, so just need
go-to, dependable staples
Inspiration Deprivation: 28% lack inspiration on what to wear
once their little one arrives, meaning they depend on a tracksuit-
centric wardrobe
Sensitive Skin: the most common clothes avoided by mums are
tight clothing (41%), buttons (18%), unnatural fabrics (14%),
scratchy textures (13%) and zips (7%) as mums experience
sensitive skin in the early months of motherhood
Mirror, mirror: 33% of mums rarely or never have time to look in
the mirror with most agreeing they are too busy to think about
how they look; so they need style tips they can trust
Budget bores: mums spend nearly half the amount of clothes on
themselves once they have had their little one, dropping from 57
per month to 29 per month so they need to be clever with what
they already have
Readdressing Dressing: before birth, mums tended to prioritise
fashion (49%), but after having a baby, practicality is most important
to 51% and fashion only important to 17% of new mums but it is
possible to have both!
With all of this in mind, Pram Glam: a guide to post-pregnancy
fashion the new guide from Grace Woodward to support mums
with their post-birth dressing dilemmas, is downloadable from
www.persilandcomfort.co.uk, offering mums a guide that combines
practicality and fashion. Grace says Having had my little boy six
months ago, I know how you dress falls right to the bottom of your
priority list and rightly so. But Persil Non-Bio & Comfort Pures
research shows that being stuck in the same tired clothes and forced
to retire your favourite bodycon dress can leave mums feeling lack
lustre. Thats why Ive pulled together my tips and advice on how to
easily breathe life back into your wardrobe, to help mums feel good
about how they look too.
Michelle Kimber, Brand Manager for Persil Non-Bio and Comfort Pure
says Our research shows that mums can lack inspiration and feel
theyve no time for themselves once baby arrives. We know that
mums want more information and advice about dressing post-baby
and thats why Persil Non-Bio and Comfort Pure have teamed up
with Grace Woodward, to help mums get their style mojo back and
feel as great about their new look as they do with their new, exciting
life.
Fabric detergent Persil Non-Bio and fabric conditioner Comfort Pure
help make sure clothes are soft, clean and comforting. Specially made
to be skin kind and dermatologically tested, they both have skincare
research recognised by the British Skin Foundation and used together
they give fresh, pure results gentle enough for even delicate skins.
87% OF NEW MUMS IN WARDROBE RUT: TRACKSUIT
BOTTOMS, IMPRACTICAL TOPS, DRESSING DILEMMAS
Celeb stylist Grace Woodward shows new mums how to beat the post-baby style crisis
Welcome to this small but (hopefully) perfectly formed guide on
outfit ideas - for when youve just welcomed the arrival of your
small but perfectly formed new family member! Having had my
little boy Larkin six months ago, I know just how tricky it can be to
dress for your new lifestyle (in fact new research shows that 87%
of mums agree its a challenge, so youre not alone...). You might
have to hang up your killer heels for the walk around the park, but
that doesnt mean your wardrobe should be limited to the same
pair of tracksuit bottoms every day.
I have created this guide with Persil Non-Bio and Comfort Pure to
show how to make the most of the clothes you already have, as
well as quick and easy ideas to work a wardrobe just as fantastic
as your babys! But dont forget its not just about what you wear,
but how you take care of your clothes as scratchy materials
against your or your babys sensitive skin simply wont do. Persil
Non-Bio and Comfort Pure are both specially made to be skin kind
and are dermatologically tested, so use them both to ensure your
clothes have the best possible care.
For that extra dose of reassurance, Persil Non-Bio and Comfort
Pures research into skincare is recognised by the British Skin
Foundation so you
can be sure of results
gentle enough for the
most delicate of skins.
Now its time to get dressing!
Grace
And of course, with thanks to the mums who featured:
Fashion Focus
Helen aged 36,
mum to Elise,
9 weeks
Kasia aged 28,
mum to Alexander,
12 weeks
Alex aged 30,
mum to Oliver,
10 weeks and
Katie, 3 years
Grace Woodward is a celebrity stylist
and fashion commentator who is known
for her pro-women attitude.
Amongst accolades such as Fashion
Director for the X Factor and a two year
role on Britain and Irelands Next Top
Model, she has been working with
women to find their best personal style
for fifteen years. As a new parent
herself, she is the go-to woman when it
comes to quick and easy styling for once
youve had your little one.
Fashion Focus
Fashion Focus
Black & White Stripe Tankini
39.00
Indigo Print Bikini
39.00
Maternity Swimsuit
29.00
Maternity Swimsuit
29.00
Fashion Focus
Frugi is delighted to unveil its latest breastfeeding collection for summer 2014. The colourful, stylish and comfortable dresses and tunics
ensure that every breastfeeding mum can enjoy the benefits of a gorgeous outfit! In fact the award-winning collection is so lovely; mums will
want to continue wearing it long after theyve finished feeding!
The new collection includes a floral maxi dress, two knee-length polka dot dresses, as well as two gorgeous Summer tunics to offer mums
something for every occasion. Each item is cleverly designed to support discreet feeding to ensure mums feel happy and confident. The
spotty dresses are sure to become a staple item thanks to the cross-over style and under panel allowing easy feeding, as well as the pretty
tie around the waist to create the perfect fit.
Perfect for layering on a cooler day, mums will love Frugis waterfall front cardigan, which has plenty of fabric to use as a discreet cover. Just
like all Frugi clothing, the breastfeeding collection is made from 100% organic cotton, so its kind to the environment too!
Commenting on the Summer breastfeeding collection, Co-Founder Lucy Jewson said We wanted to create a really bright and colourful
collection for Summer that would give mums something to smile about. Weve put great care into making sure everything is as practical as
it is stylish, and really hope mums enjoy wearing the dresses and tunics this season.
Breastfeeding
Maxi-Dress - 65.00
Summer Breastfeeding
Tunic - 40.00
Cover Up Cardi - 39.00
Summer Breastfeeding
Dress - 55.00
Breastfeeding Pointelle
Top - 40.00 & PJs - 30.00
Celebrity Exclusive
Whats the most challenging thing about being a mum and being in the
public eye?
I dont really ever think about being in the public eye to be honest with
you, especially when it comes to parenting, thinking about it, I suppose it
would be you know quite often people want to have photographs with
me or autographs, which is fine, its happened all through my career, and
people are always happy to meet you, but sometimes if Im on my own
with my daughter I feel a little bit awkward because I dont really want my
daughter to be photographed and also if Im trying to avoid her being
photographed then I want to make sure Im not neglecting her, so that
can be a little bit tricky but other than that it doesnt really tend to affect
us that much.
Thats good, as a lot of other celebrities choose to have their children in
the limelight and then trying to separate the two must be quite hard?
You know, before my little girl was born, myself and her dad made the
decision wed rather she wasnt in the public eye and you know there are
certain things you can do, as you see some celebrities have their children
photographed and the pictures are printed with the faces blurred out, but
it can get quite complicated. Basically you can do it to a certain point but
it does depend on how much you expose your children and you do get to
a point where you dont have that option anymore, but luckily enough
weve kept it quite private up to now. Ultimately, the way I feel about it,
you know, each to their own but personally for me Id like for her to make
that decision for herself.
What made you want to get involved with Human Race?
Well, I did the Womens Only event last summer and I jut had such a
fantastic day and Id never done an event where it was only women and
the atmosphere was so different to when theres guys involved. It was so
supportive, there were so many different shapes and sizes and age range
and fitness levels and it just wasnt an intimidating environment and I just
thought, you know women are so great at that you know and obviously
we have a bad press about supporting each other but on a day like that I
think especially with the womens only events being in aid of breast
cancer care as well, there was a real camaraderie and its so supportive
that when Human Race approached me and asked me to be involved this
year I was really happy to do so because I just think its something I really
want to publicise and try to get women involved because I think it can be
quite scary going into a competing environment when its something
thats new to you and this is definitely the gentlest way to do it, a great
way to raise money and you get fit, you have fun and you make friends,
its really sociable as well and I just felt it was a really lovely event. They
are such fun days, that once you get there, the nerves are there but its
such a lovely atmosphere that women will absolutely love it. Its not like
youre competing for your country , theres no pressure so its lots of fun.
How do you combine training, being on tour and being a mum?
Sometimes its really difficult and unfortunately its the first thing go as
obviously my little girl takes priority and then of course work but I
suppose working in music, Im quite lucky because I dont tend to work
most mornings so I Im always there for my little girl, I get her off to school
and then Ill have a couple of hours in the morning because I tend to work
more afternoons and evenings so thats how I fit it in although I have to
say that this year has been a lot trickier than it has been over the last
couple of years, which is pretty daunting especially when you have an
event coming up.
Are you a competitive
individual?
Yes, you know what I think
I was more competitive
when I was younger and of
course everyone likes to
win but Im quite a novice
and I find the best person
to compete against is
yourself. Just do your best,
I know that sometimes you
have your off days and Ive
kind of learnt, that Im 40
now so Im not as fit as I
once was but its important
to give yourself a break so
train hard and work hard
and try and achieve great
things but dont be so hard
on yourself.
What training advice would
you give to mums who
want to get back into
sporting activities and events?
Take it slowly. Starting is the hardest thing and whether its running,
cycling, swimming or any sport just say to yourself Im going to give
myself 20 minutes and then with running you walk a little bit, run a little
bit and just build it up gradually. You know some days youll feel great
and can go longer and on some days youre just not feeling it and you
know what, thats cool. Basically, dont be too harsh on yourself.
Especially as you get older our bodies do take longer to recover especially
when youve hard children.
What does the next year hold for you?
Im touring with Jools Holland at the moment which is really good fun and
Im also in the studio working on a new album which Im hoping will be
ready sometime next year, well thats the plan. Its early days, but Ive
just started writing and meeting new collaborators so Im really excited
as my last album was in 2011 so it will be nice to get back out there and
touring with my band again.
For more information on events coming up and to take
part, please visit:
Website: www.humanrace.co.uk
Facebook: facebook.com/humanraceevents
Twitter: twitter.com/humanraceevents
For more information on Melanie C and to hear about
future tours and news, please visit:
http://www.melaniec.net/
Melanie C, Ambassador for HumanRaceEvents
Celebrity Exclusive
"Former Spice Girl Melanie C, is an ambassador for Human Race Events' WomenOnly series and is keen to get more ladies into sport. She will
be taking part in the Shock Absorber WomenOnly Triathlon on 13 July and is also promoting the WomenOnly Run in Richmond Park on Saturday
18 October, for more information and to enter, please visit: humanrace.co.uk "
Family Focus
I had no particular desire for children
before I fell in love with my partner- and
even then I was more ambivalent than
anything else when I agreed that we
might open our lives to the possibility.
When it happened for us though my
maternal instinct hit me like a juggernaut.
I was instantly in love with our blastocyst
of a son, devoted to him and in awe of the
fact that we were creating an actual
person. The lifestyle change I underwent
was drastic. Our courting period had been a rock and roll
tornado, but I'm fundamentally a geek so when that all had to
go all I really needed was unlimited access to information and I
revelled in books and websites on every aspect of pregnancy and
parenting. I read about everything, from the elusive contents of
breast milk to the Hindu belief that the soul enters a foetus at 3
months in utero- and the science that came to an oddly similar
conclusion (that at 3 months foetus' begin to perceive the world
around them)- and every approach to every situation I was
possibly going to face! Parenting had absolutely everything I
needed to sustain myself, I had found my calling.
That was lucky because living away from my hometown and
suddenly living a different life I found myself with a very limited
social circle with few close friends accessible. Once I left work I
lost a ready source of self esteem- but becoming expert at all
things maternal, during my pregnancy and for my eldest's first
16 months of life, was something I was very proud of. It made
me something. With my miscarriage happened that sense of self
that I'd builtcollapsed entirely. I was bitter and resentful- I knew
everything about this, right? Yeah, apart from how to keep my
children alive. I couldn't bear Mother's Day, that was a trigger.
Even now I find it a bittersweet occasion because in addition to
the pleasantness not only does it remind me of the child I didn't
get to mother but also the darkest point in my life. I really didn't
know who I was.
But I've learnt now that I have to be myself sometimes, my old
self before all this new stuff came along! Mothering is an integral
part of me but now I realise that attachment parenting is a
symbiosis- not a detachment from from mother's needs as a
human being entirely in order to zealously observe baby's.
I've tried loads of avenues to find myself... Direct selling- it
transpired that I am without business sense unfortunately- so
that went out the window but not before it had paved the way
for me to meet a series of people that have become important
and even instrumental in my life. Teaching groups of kids which
I initially did weekly but scaled downto... Regularly- because it's
very involved and I want to devote time to writing too. The
teaching is great though, it's so inspiring being surrounded by
enthusiastic, excitable, open minds- and intellectual discussions
with kids hone adult understanding like nothing else. I socialise
(even without kids sometimes!). Not as much as I'd like but I'm
working on it. In the last two years I've gone from having no local
friends to putting myself out there and am now in possession of
some great ones who build my confidence and cleanse my soul.
I do my writing, washing (yeah, I mean myself, it's easy to forget
that!), listening to music (properly), I never did stop reading. The
Internet has been great for me, so much great material and I
speak with people all over the world about all the things I'm
interested in. I'm learning all the time which is magic for me, it
makes me feel vital. I'm about to start a free, seven week, online
course on Technology and Ethics which I'm really excited about.
There are a good number of websites offering great educational
opportunities and when better to take them up than when you
can't go out because of the kids and you want to be happy, whole
and successful for the kids? There's something for everyone,
different subjects, different levels of commitment.
But, like I said earlier, I am essentially a geek. My real point is
that whoever you are: don't lose that person because you might
need them.
The Who Am I Moment
By Elizabeth Hobson
By Elizabeth Katherine Hobson | Twitter: ElizabethHobso6 | Blog: http://elizabethkhobson.wordpress.com
Family Focus
Eureka! is an inspirational, educational charity that has drawn in over
80,000 visitors in the past 3 months alone. The museum, for children
aged 0-11, has been uniquely designed entirely around the basis of
inspiring and educating young minds in the most interactive, colourful
and entertaining of ways. Each exhibit across the six galleries is designed
to be picked up, climbed on and experimented with, and their 2.9m
new gallery All About Me, opened in 2013, is an example of how the
museum is working to stay fresh and relevant for new generations.
Are our children the laziest generation ever? Lord Seb Coe thinks so,
and the former Olympian warned recently that their inactive lifestyles
could make them the first generation to have a shorter life expectancy
than their parents. Statistics released by the World Health Organisation
make pretty grim reading, predicting that 70 million children under 5
will be obese by 2025 if current trends continue thats a frightening
30 million more than in 2012.
So what can we do about it?
At Eureka! our focus is on play, play and more play, and we know from
experience that play can and does transform lives. Thats why we
dedicated years of research, fundraising and construction to open All
About Me, a gallery designed to teach children all about their bodies
and how to make wiser, more informed decisions about their diets and
lifestyle. One of the most popular zones is Lets Get Active, where we
watch children stomp on an interactive pond, dance along with children
projected onto a giant screen, and even scale a mini climbing wall. The
truth is that children enjoy being active we see the evidence here
every day. But sometimes they need a push to get started and that push
is often the hardest part, particularly when 43% of children say they
would rather watch TV than go outside to play with friends!
Here are a few ideas to
encourage our children to be
more active, and maybe give
our own lifestyles an energy
boost at the same time.
Bring computer games to life
The ironic thing about many popular computer games is that they
involve a WHOLE lot of running and jumping around its just a pity that
its all on-screen. If your children are obsessed with a particular game,
why not challenge them to become their favourite avatar in real life?
They could even pretend that they live inside popular games like
Minecraft or Temple Run. Find somewhere with plenty of room and set
them a real life gaming challenge.
Imaginative, energetic play
Childrens imaginations are limitless, so inspire that imagination and itll
happily lead the way for great active play. Weve just launched Pyjama
Drama classes at Eureka! where we use imagination, performance,
movement and song to explore different stories and themes. If you cant
get along to something similar in your area you could start your very
own active, imaginative play sessions. Take inspiration from childrens
stories as your start point, then let your childs imagination lead the
way... Oh no! Theres a grumpy troll knocking at the front door! What
are we going to do?
Oldies, but goodies
Previous generations spent a lot more time outdoors playing active
games. Think of all of those playground games that you knew as a child:
Follow the Leader, Whats the Time Mr Wolf?, Mother May I?, Simon
Says, Red Rover, skipping or clapping games the list is as long as a
Hopscotch court. So why not show your children how YOU played as a
child, encouraging them to get active as they learn.
Dance like nobodys watching
Exercise doesnt have to be boring, and the key to encouraging our
children to embrace healthier, more active lifestyles for life is to embed
that sense of fun and enjoyment as early as possible. So, with that in
mind, when was the last time you turned the radio on, found something
bouncy, with really cheesy lyrics, and danced like nobodys watching?
Grab your kids, pump up the volume and have FUN!
For more information, please visit: https://www.eureka.org.uk/
Play healthy - innovative ways to encourage f itness through play
Start-rite has launched a
competition for a child to
create their very own pair of
shoes and the winner will also
receive 300 for their school.
Mums recently told Start-rite
that their children started to
pick out outfits from as young
as three, so to encourage
these young fashionistas, five runners-up will also receive 100 for their
school, along with a pair of Start-rite shoes, and every entry will receive
a 15% discount with Start-rite.
Start-rite is working in partnership with Living Streets, a charity which
champions better streets for pedestrians and encourages more children
to walk to school through its Walk once a Week (WoW)
scheme.WoWencourages over 300,000 children to get walking across
the UK, increases walking to
primary school by 26%,and can
cut driving by more than a third.
Speaking about the competition,
Melanie Tuckwell of Start-rite Shoes said, For over 220 years Start-rite
has created beautiful shoes that support the healthy development of
childrens feet. With Living Streets we encourage children to take the
healthy route to school, and with this competition we hope to inspire
creative young minds while providing six primary schools across the
country with additional resource to nurture these talents.
To enter the competition and for terms and conditions go to :
http://www.start-rite.co.uk/wowdesignashoe/
or visit www.Facebook.com/Start-riteshoes.
All entries must be received by midnight on 14th July 2014
Startrite is calling for budding designers
Family Focus
When I have mentioned to
people that I am training to
be a doula, I am often met
with a confused or blank
look. A Do-what? is the
common response. Alright,
I admit it, the name doesn't
exactly give it away, it's not
like being a bank manager
or a teacher. Many people
have never even heard of
the word, let alone have any understanding of what it means. So, a
doula, pronounced doo-la, is a woman who provides emotional,
physical and practical support to a pregnant woman and her birthing
partner during pregnancy, labour and early parenting. Some doulas
only do antenatal and birth work, others help in the days, weeks and
months following the birth and some provide both services. A doula is
a trained birth or postnatal supporter, but she does not provide any
clinical services. She is not a midwife or health visitor, nor should she
be responsible for making any decisions during labour, birth or early
parenting.
What exactly does a birth doula do then? Why would you need one if
you have a midwife and a birth partner with you?
Doulas provide an extremely personalised service for the women they
support. Most doulas build up a trusted relationship with their clients.
In our over stretched NHS service, and particularly in London hospitals,
many women are lucky if they see the same midwife twice during the
pregnancy and the chances of having previously met the midwife who
attends the birth are small. The doula fills the emotional and nurturing
gap which used to form part of normal midwifery care. A doula is there
for the women consistently and completely in the build up to the birth
and during the labour, no matter how long that may be. A doula will be
concentrating only on the needs of her one client, usually on-call from
38-42 weeks, unlike the midwife who may be looking after 3 or 4
women in labour at the same time.
A doula can take time during the pregnancy to fully understand her
clients needs, hopes and concerns around labour, birth and early
parenting. A midwife might, at best, have 10 minutes to glance through
a women's birth preferences document. The loss of this part of a
midwifes role is of great concern to many in the profession, least of all
midwives themselves, but with a huge shortage to contend with, it's
unlikely that this aspect of the job can return any time soon. There
aren't enough midwives to provide the emotional support of simply
being with the woman, rather than spending all their time doing clinical
tasks or documentation.
So can't my birth partner provide all the emotional, physical and
practical support during labour?
Maybe, probably, perhaps. Of course, it depends on individuals
circumstances and relationships. However, a doula is not just a support
for the woman, but for the birthing partner too. Many partners want
to be present during the labour and birth, but may find the experience
difficult, especially if the woman is in pain and they feel that they can't
do much to help. At this point, the labour can becoming traumatic for
partners who may become tense and fearful themselves, which in turn,
can affect the hormones of the labouring woman. A doula can help to
reassure the woman and the father, perhaps providing the father some
time out if he needs it, or simply a nod of encouragement that all is well
and progressing as expected.
So what does a doula ACTUALLY do during a birth?
It's more a case of being rather than doing which means
connecting with the labouring woman and instinctively helping her
with the right word of encouragement, a light touch or smile during the
labour. Some doulas also offer massage, acupuncture, reflexology or
other holistic treatments aimed at helping the woman to relax as much
as possible into the labour surges- to work with the contractions rather
than fighting against them. Tensing up against the contractions is likely
to cause them to feel more painful which leads to greater fear of the
contractions. This fear leads to more tension, leading to more pain and
so it goes on. Doulas can help women to break the fear-tension-pain
cycle by relaxing through the surges and by finding ways to help them
increase their birthing hormones - oxytocin and endorphins, to make
labour progress as smoothly as possible.
Doulas can also be useful in facilitating discussions between the
woman/her birthing partner and the caregivers. Caregivers are
working to hospital protocol and therefore may make assumptions
about what might be the best course of action during a labour.
However, all women have a right to consent to or decline a procedure
or treatment. Labouring women whose birth preferences are clearly
stated should have their wishes respected as far as possible given the
prevailing circumstances and be involved in discussing any deviations
from their preferences. Doulas can act as an advocate for the woman's
choices, having got to know them thoroughly during the antenatal
period. Birthing partners who might want to challenge caregivers can
also be supported by the doula.
In the immediate postpartum period, doulas can help new parents to
gain confidence with their newborn, perhaps helping with the first feed
or nappy. They can provide practical assistance fetching items, taking
photos or video of the new family or helping the woman to the
toilet/shower. A doula mothers the mother, providing a steadying
hand, a warm smile and a calm influence until the new family is settled
and comfortable. In the days following the birth, most birth doulas will
do a home visit to ensure all is well with the parents and the baby,
perhaps to discuss the birth experience and address any concerns or
issues the parents may be having.
Facts about doulas:
Doulas undergo a mentoring system of 4 births or 4 postnatal
jobs before they can call themselves a recognised doula.
Research shows that having the support of a doula can shorten
labour by an average of 2 hours.
The risk of having a caesarean is reduced by 50% by having a
doula present
Women who labour with a doula present have a reduced need
for pain medication
Quotes about doulas
If a doula were a drug, it would be unethical not to use it
A Doula is like a trail guide, familiar with the path, she keeps you
hiking through the hard parts, knowing the view at the end is
incredible.
For further information about doulas, visit
http://www.doulauk.org.uk
For more details visit our website at:
http://www.parentpartner.co.uk
This article was written by Michelle Eshkeri, director at
Parent Partner, a London based parenting support service.
Parent Partner offers group antenatal courses, 1-2-1 birth
preparation sessions, a birth doula service, baby/child first
aid sessions and a parent personal assistant service for
larger life tasks.
Doulas- it's not about dou-ing, it's about being!
Did you know in most cases you have a right to cancel if a
contract is concluded at home, away from usual business
premises and/or over the phone, internet or by mail order
(BUT not in retail premises)?
Yes, in a majority of cases for contracts over 42 - you will have
a 14 day cooling off period. Please note there are exemptions,
though. Examples of where cancellation rights should be given
and a 14 day cooling off period may apply, include:
Please note for things like digital downloads, surprisingly you
do have 14 days to cancel - unless you are expressly aware of
your commitment to pay and you expressly agree to the
service starting straight away. The Trader must confirm if you
commence the service immediately, that your cancellation
rights are lost and you will be obliged to pay. Digital downloads
include: mp3 music, streamed movies, apps etc. There also
changes to information given in consumer contracts, there are
strict requirements regarding pre contract information
including the traders details, cancellation rights and liability
for charges before you commit to contracts. Failure to comply
with the new consumer rights legislation may give you rights
for breach of contract.
If you feel you did not get relevant contractual information,
were not made aware of all charges or were not given your
cancellation rights and you need further advice please call
Citizens Advice Consumer Advice on 08454 04 05 06. This
number will be changing soon but there will be period where
this number is auto re- directed. You can also visit their website
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/consumer. Where relevant
Citizens advice will pass the details to the responsible trading
departments to provide advice to traders and /or take
appropriate enforcement action.
Contracts made over the phone,
internet or by mail order
Contracts made at home
(doorstep sales)
Mobile phones and service
contracts
Building work e.g.) laying a patio,
laying a driveway, roof repairs,
cleaning guttering
Clothes and Accessories Supplying and fitting windows,
patio doors or double glazing units,
installing a conservatory
Books Gardening clearance, tree works
Furniture Gas and electricity supplies
Household electrical items
(including delivery, supply and
fitting)
Supply of vacuum cleaners,
mobility scooters and orthopaedic
beds
Sealed CDs and DVDs (before they
are unsealed)
Personal Trainer
Games Apps
Business Focus
New 14 day cooling off period for
Consumers advice from Enf ield
Council Trading Standards
Family Focus
British born footwear pioneers VIVOBAREFOOT, founded by Galahad
Clark are set to bring about a fundamental change in the childrens
footwear market, with a compelling footwear initiative that teams
education, evolutionary product and the countrys most influential
mothers. The international campaign will be spearheaded by the
industrys leading paediatricians and podiatrists and aims to highlight
the importance of footwear in humans growth, health and
development.
Speaking on the launch of their Childrens initiative, Galahad Clark
said, A childs foot is not fully formed until late teenage years (the
bones are soft and plastic). Any interference with natural foot
development (such as non-foot shaped shoes, arch support, rigid
materials and padded pitch) will deform the natural shape of the
foot. A strong healthy foot is a natural one and is the foundation of
healthy movement. With so much confusing and incorrect
information in the Childrens footwear market we knew it was time
to invest our resources in barefoot education and focus on
prevention rather than the cure.
Until now awareness around barefoot has leaned towards running
and rehabilitation; Vivobarefoot want to utilise their extensive
research and respected industry experts to spearhead a change in
global awareness. Clark continues, The barefoot philosophy has
never been exclusive to running. In fact, it is most important in
everyday life and particularly important for children. The launch of
our children's campaign focuses on the well being benefits of leading
a barefoot lifestyle every day. The campaign aims to demystify the
purchase of childrens footwear, working with parenting groups to
showcase ground breaking research to bring about a change the
universal perception of the footwear industry. As part of their
investment in the childrens market Vivobarefoot will also develop
a new childrens line of barefoot shoes for both school and play,
alongside the provision of training and educational material to
engage both parents and children.
GalahadClarkonWhyBarefootisBest!
Astrongandnaturalfootisthefoundationofhealthymovement.G
alahad says A childs foot is soft and malleable and not
fully formed until late teenage years. Freedom for the
feet, the right amount of sensory feedback, along with
adequate protection ensures a child's foot can grow as nature
intended.
Any interference with this natural foot development can
deformthe shape of the foot andhinder the ability of children
to learn the movement skills they need. Narrow, non-footshaped
shoes, any formof arch support, rigid and inflexible materials
and a cushioned or padded pitch are tell-
talesignsofanunnatural,unhealthyshoe.
Wereheretochangethat!
With our anatomical and biomechanical understanding, coupled
with the confusion and misleading information in the
childrens footwear market, we knew it was time to invest our
resourcesinbarefooteducation. Wewanttohelpkidsandparents
make therightdecisionsand offer shoes that make sense. Aiming
to bring about a fundamental change in the kidsshoe industry,
were teaming education, revolutionary product and the countrys
mostinfluentialparents.
VIVOBAREFOOTLaunchGlobalChildrensInitiative
BAREFOOT BASICS :
5 KEY POINTS
When moving, the majority
of the feedback going to
your brain comes from
proprioception, from the
soles of your feet.
Up until the age of 10 the
bones in the feet are soft
bones can be misshaped by
external forces, like poor
fitting shoes.
The foot provides natural
shock absorption as it
splays and recoils, shoes
must be wide to
accommodate this.
Shoes should be REALLY
REALLY flat from heel to toe
as any heel height affects
correct, natural posture.
The big toe is a crucial part
of walking and running, as
it's the body's natural
anchor point and needs to
engage with the floor
TIPS TO TOE
By Georgie Britt Hodgson:
Mother of two, lover of
evolutionary medicine, the
great outdoors, and being
barefoot. Practitioner of Bio
regulatory Medicine and trained
by Lee Saxby.
WHAT FOOTWEAR TO
LOOK FOR
You should be able to bend the
shoe in half, if it doesn't, it is too
rigid and will limit movement.
Choose a shoe with a sole that
is as thin and tough as possible,
just enough to be puncture
resistant but will still allow your
child to feel the variety of
terrain under his/her feet which
will develop that all important
strength and coordination.
Look for shoes with a wide toe
box, toes need plenty of room
to wiggle, stretch and flex as
children move and grow
Avoid shoes with arch support
or bulky, thick soles as much as
possible
WHAT TO DO
Be completely barefoot as
much as possible, free their feet
and allow your children to play
as nature intended
Standing up onto your tip toes
is great for building strength,
coordination and letting the
foot find its own internal
support for balancing
Kiddies should be able to lift
their big toes up, independently
of the others, which develops
that all important coordination
try fun exercises
Expose your kiddies to
running in and on a variety
of surfaces - stones, water,
leaves, fields, sand - this will
expose them to a variety of
senses and help them to
develop vital sensory skills
and a sense of their own
bodyweight .
Real Life Stories
As the Editor of a parenting magazine, I often hear amazing stories
about children, babies whove battled the most severe of conditions
or people who have experienced life changing circumstances and
whilst I am in awe of them I dont normally write about it. However,
when I heard about Helen and Mark I was so inspired by their sheer
determination and what they had gone through to get where they are
today, that I had to share their story with my readers also
You must be so excited, what with expecting a new arrival in only a
few months time?
Helen: Yes! Were absolutely delighted that against all odds we have
our little miracle on the way! Weve just moved house so were
frantically getting everything renovated and decorated in time
for the big day! As with all first time parents were excited and
nervous at the same time this will definitely be our biggest
challenge yet!
Mark: We are both ultra excited! After such a long and painful journey
there were times we both started to doubt if it was ever going
to happen for us so to be here in this position now feels like our
dreams have come true!
You are an incredible inspiration. You suffer from a debilitating
condition Muscular Dystrophy, yet you work full time and you are
expecting your first baby! How on earth do you do it all?
Helen: I think the key to everything is the love and support I have
from my husband Mark he keeps me positive and happy
which is the key to getting through everything life throws at
me. Ive always been very determined to stay in full time
employment - I enjoy my job, it helps take my mind away
from the MD and enables me to focus on being creative,
working as part of a team and helping others. I have an
electric wheelchair which I use in and out of work and after
years of being very limited to how far I could walk, new doors
have been opened up and I have the freedom and
independence back that Id lost for many years.
Mark: I think Helen is a brilliant example of how to fight through
amazingly tough personal circumstances and remain happy
and positive rather than be bitter and resentful. She shows
that a strong will and a focus on enjoying life can overcome a
lot of difficulties.
Was the decision to start a family a tough one?
Helen: Weve been together for 13 years and even when we first got
together we discussed the idea of having a family eventually.
Mark comes from a big happy family and has always wanted
children. Ive always wanted them too but I knew it wouldnt
be easy. I was honest with Mark from the beginning, making it
clear that I was determined not to pass MD onto my children
and would do whatever it took to ensure the health and
quality of life of our children.
Mark: We are both aware that it will be amazingly tough, and have
no doubt that however hard we think its going to be, it will be
even tougher! A lot of things that most people take for
granted will be incredibly difficult for Helen.....changing
nappies, breast feeding for example. Other things like picking
the baby out of the cot will be impossible. So it's not a
decision we've taken lightly but I think it will be an incredible
and amazingly happy experience!
Did you face any criticisms from the public, family or friends when you
announced that you were / wanted to start a family?
Helen: All our close friends were very supportive of our decision.
Some of them were surprised that we wanted to take on the
responsibility and maybe thought we were a little crazy!! A lot
of my family members were very concerned about what effect
Real Life Stories: Having a
disability and wanting a baby
being pregnant would have on my health and how Id cope
physically, so some tried to advise against the idea, but I think
they could see that we were both determined not to let
anything get in our way.
Mark: As Helen said, all of our friends and family have been behind
us all the way. Where people have had concerns, it was really
more to do with how Helen would manage carrying a baby and
the difficulties we might have day to day once the baby is
born. But I think people can see how much we wanted it and
have generally been 100% supportive.
This isnt your first pregnancy. Sadly in 2011 you found out that you
were expecting but that the foetus carried the MD gene and you made
the decision to terminate. That must have been such a devastating
experience?
Helen: It truly was the worst moment of our lives and it was a very
difficult experience. I had to wait until I was 12 weeks
pregnant before having the CVB test and then wait a further 2
weeks for the results. When we were told our baby was
carrying the gene we were heartbroken and then having to go
through the birth at 14 weeks and all the heartache that
surrounded that awful time. We never questioned our
decision as we knew it was the right thing to do in the long
term, but that doesnt make it any easier to go through. At the
time we both took 3 weeks off work, but the emotional scars
took much longer to heal and we still think about it 3 years
on. Looking back I dont know how we got through it really,
but somehow it made our relationship even stronger and we
became even more determined to make things work.
Mark: It was the single worst experience I have gone through in my
life. There's such an overwhelming combination of emotions
from guilt to pain to regret, but ultimately we knew it was the
decision we had to take albeit the toughest one we've ever
made. Even though it was 2011, It's very hard to even talk
about it now. Helen had always said right from the start she
couldn't live with herself if she knowingly passed on her
condition, so it was something we had already talked about at
great length.
You then went through IVF with genetic testing three times, an
operation on your ovaries for endometriosis only to have a fourth
attempt at IVF fail. That must have been such an emotional period of
your life how did you get through it?
Helen: We had originally planned to do IVF with genetic testing, to
ensure I had an embryo that was unaffected. However, in
order to create a genetic marker by which they could test an
embryo, they needed genetic information from me and at
least one other affected family member. As the genetic defect
started in me, this was impossible. This is why we made the
decision to conceive naturally, in the hope of having a baby
free of MD. Unfortunately this wasnt the case (theres a
50/50 chance of passing the MD gene on) but it did enable the
scientists to use the genetic information from my affected
baby, to create a test, thus allowing us to do IVF. The IVF was
difficult because everything was very intrusive lots of
internal scans, time off work for hospital appointments 3
hours away in Nottingham and of course the daily injections
which made me feel tired and bloated. The worst part of it
was waiting to see if the healthy embryo had implanted
successfully each time I got to 9 days and then my period
would begin. We maintained a positive attitude throughout
each cycle and encouraged each other to keep upbeat. Our
family and close friends were very supportive too and luckily
our employers were very understanding which really helped.
Mark: As I'm sure anyone who's been through IVF can relate to its
such a roller coaster of emotions. From the high when there is
a suitable embryo for transfer to the low when even after
getting past several of the key milestones, it doesnt work out!
As well as the emotional side of things the endless hormone
injections and internal scans weren't nice for Helen, but we
just tried to be there for one another and stay positive that
one day it would happen for us.
You decided to risk it all one more time and against the odds you fell
pregnant naturally. Youve had all the tests to see if he had the MD
gene (thankfully he has the all clear), that must have been an
incredibly hard wait and beyond stressful?
Helen: We knew we wouldnt receive any more funding for IVF after
the fourth attempt, so we were faced with 2 options: save our
money up for a few years to try IVF again knowing that it may
not work, or try to conceive naturally knowing that we may be
faced with the heartache of 2011. We took the decision to try
naturally and 3 months later I found out I was pregnant. We
were both over the moon as we werent sure if Id be able to
conceive after the termination, IVF and endometriosis
operation! I had the CVB test at 12 weeks and this time we
had to wait 3 weeks for the results each week it got pushed
further back because they were having difficulty getting a
result. When we got the all clear we were literally crying for
joy and Mark couldnt actually speak for about half an hour
because of the sheer joy combined with the relief of the
pressure and worry wed been carrying around for the last 3
months. It felt wonderful telling our family and friends the
good news and finding out that we were expecting a little boy.
Mark: It felt like a 5 year wait from Helen finding out she was
pregnant to getting the all clear from the CVB sample. But the
day we found out the good news is one we will both
remember for the rest of our lives. I rang my Mam up to tell
her the news and managed to get out "you're going to be a
Grandma..." And then just broke down in tears and couldn't
speak. Then my Mam started crying, and my Dad, and Helen!
But they were all tears of overwhelming joy that we were
finally going to have a baby after a 6 year journey filled with
disappointment and heartache!
Suffering from MD and being pregnant must cause many new
complications on top of what you already face, how has it
affected you so far?
Helen: Ive experienced the same symptoms that most
expectant Mums face mainly nausea and tiredness but
overall Ive done pretty well so far. Ive been able to keep up
my hydrotherapy sessions in the pool and Im trying to do a
bit of walking in the house each day so that I keep as active as
possible. Ive also made sure Im eating healthily and drinking
plenty of water. Im a bit apprehensive about the last couple
of months and how Ill manage to get around, but I have to
focus on the fact that its the means to a very good end!
Real Life Stories
Real Life Stories
Mark: Helen's been amazing so far. She had dreadful sickness for
about 10 weeks from week 6 to 16 but just got on with it and
tucked in to her Earl Grey "Gingerbread Gentlemen" when it
got really bad! But Helen has just got on with it and enjoyed
the experience!
Mark has been a tower of strength and support to you, but it must
have been an emotional rollercoaster for him too, watching you go
through all of this and also the termination 3 years ago?
Helen: Hes the most amazing person Ive ever met his kindness,
sense of humour, caring personality and positive attitude have
been a real inspiration to me and hes kept me going through
thick and thin. People are often concerned for the person with
the disability but the person who cares for them is often
overlooked and I know that Mark has been through a hell of a
lot more than most husbands would ever have to deal with. But
hes never moaned or complained there have been times
when weve both wondered why things just werent working
out, but we try to encourage each other and talk about our
worries with each other or with our close friends and family.
Were both very lucky to have very supportive parents who
have looked out for us both along the way and helped as best
they can.
What would you say to any other parents who have a disability and
want to start a family?
Helen: I would encourage them to focus on achieving their goals, never
giving up, keeping a positive attitude and always talking to and
supporting each other through good times and bad. Having the
love and support of family and friends really does help, but
having a strong relationship will get you through anything life
throws at you. In the words of my favourite song: Dont Stop
Believing!
Mark: I would say that everyone is individual and should not take the
decision lightly as it is going to be a life changing event. But as
with most problems in life, nothing is impossible so do not let
the naysayers discourage you, you will find a way to manage
with a good support network!
What does the future hold for you all?
Helen: Now that we have finally moved into our bungalow and have
our little miracle on the way, the future looks bright and I hope
we have many happy years together bringing our little boy up. I
know itll be our biggest challenge yet, but Mark and I will
remain as close as ever and take each day as it comes theres
no point dwelling on the past or looking too far into the future
what counts is living for today and focusing on the good
elements of our lives.
Mark: A move to America when my son becomes a Basketball star
and/or rock god! Haha
What is Facioscapulohumeral Muscular
Dystrophy, FSHD or FSH Disease?
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy or FSHD is the most
prevalent of the nine primary types of muscular dystrophy
affecting adults and children. Muscular dystrophy in general
connotes a genetic, hereditary muscle disease that causes
progressive muscle weakness. FSHD is also broadly characterized
as a neuromuscular disease (NMD), as muscular dystrophy is a
subset of NMD. Muscular dystrophies are alike in that they cause
progressive skeletal muscle weakness, defects in the
biochemical, physical and structural components of muscle, and
the death of muscle cells and tissue. However, researchers
believe that the causes of each of the muscular dystrophies are
not necessarily the same.
The major symptom of FSHD is the progressive weakening and
loss of skeletal muscles. The usual location of these weaknesses
at onset is the origin of the name: face (facio), shoulder girdle
(scapulo) and upper arms (humeral). Early weaknesses of the
muscles of the eye (open and close) and mouth (smile, pucker,
whistle) are distinctive for FSHD. These symptoms, in
combination with weaknesses in the muscles that stabilize the
scapulae (shoulder blades), are often the basis of the physicians
diagnosis of FSHD.
In most cases, FSHD muscle involvement starts in the face and
slowly progresses to the shoulder and upper arm muscles and
then down to the abdominal and foot extensor muscles. Foot
drop and foot weakness are early manifestations. Initial signs of
FSHD include difficulty reaching above the shoulder level, foot
drop, scapular winging and facial weakness. Weakness in the
abdominal muscles can cause a protuberant abdomen and
lumbar lordosis. The lower abdominal muscles are usually
weaker than the upper abdominal muscles. This distribution of
weakness is not seen in many other diseases and, therefore, is
very specific to FSHD.
Although the progression of FSHD is quite variable, it is usually
relatively slow. With FSHD, most affected people develop
unbalanced (side-to-side) weaknesses. The reason for this
asymmetry is unknown.
In more than half of FSHD cases, there are other symptoms
including high-frequency hearing loss and/or abnormalities of
blood vessels in the back of the eye. The vascular abnormalities
in the back of the eye lead to vision problems in only about 1% of
the cases. Since these abnormalities are not exclusive to FSHD,
one must bear in mind that their presence alone, in an FSHD at-
risk individual, is insufficient for a diagnosis of FSHD.
Although not typical, some patients with FSHD have respiratory
insufficiency, especially those with severe FSHD.
FSHD generally presents outward signs in 95% of affected
individuals by the second decade of life for men and the third
decade of life for women. The disease is said to have a
penetrance of 95% in men by the second decade and in women
by the third decade.
FSHD is worldwide in distribution, affects both sexes equally and
has no particular racial, geographic or ethnic distribution.
Therefore, FSHD can appear in any family and happen at any
time.
Real Life Stories
One of the obstacles that Mark has had to face with impending
fatherhood is, believe it or not, his height! At just over 6ft 8 he is rather
tall! As any new parents-to-be will tell you, one of the most important
purchases they will buy is their babys travel-system. Whilst many
parents will look at design, comfort for child, practicality and price, Mark
& Helen have also had to look for something that caters for many other
factors such as Marks height and also to ensure that Helen can maintain
eye-contact with her son whilst shes in her wheelchair. They had looked
at almost every option on the market with all proving to be not suitable
and they were becoming quite despondent. After visiting the Baby
Show, Birmingham they then came across the Stokke Xplory. We did
our research into the brand and were amazed at the glowing reviews
being written for both the older and new models of the Xplory.
Stokke say that that this is the only stroller you'll ever need. Having
just launched the new The Stokke Xplory V4 this pushchair fits every
requirement for Helen & Mark.
With its unique height-adjustability, the Stokke Xplory will allow
children to be at both of your levels in safety and security,
strengthening your bonds, promoting interactivity and encouraging
all-important eye contact - while exploring the world together.
The height of style for tiny backs: The Stokke Xplory offers an
almost infinite choice of seating positions to suit your children's
ever-changing needs, meaning your child's size and position can be
comfortably and safely accommodated at every age, and in any
situation. The seat unit is suitable from birth up to a maximum
weight of 15kg. The Stokke Xplory Carry Cot for the newborn baby
(sold separately) can also be added and is suitable from birth to 6
months.
The Stokke Xplory hood features an innovative folding visor, which
enables you to create a warm, secure environment. It features 5
ergonomic seating positions so whether your baby is feeling sleepy
and relaxed, or active, engaged and ready to explore the world, the
Stokke Xplory stroller's seat position can be altered with a few
simple clicks.
Other features include a single pedal brake that locks both wheels,
adjustable calf rest and 2-wheel function for rough terrain. Comes
complete with a practical shopping bag that has space for a total of
30 litres/2kg of shopping, nappies and all those little bits and pieces.
Ergonomic and adjustable handle position to suit your height and
comfort. Also included is a mosquito net and rain cover. Compatible
with the Graco Logico-S infant car seat with the addition of adaptors
(both available separately), this pushchair can also be turned into a
complete travel system.
Having met Mark and Helen and knowing what theyve been through
I wanted to see if we could help them in any
way. We spoke to Stokke to see if we could
get a pushchair and to try alleviate one of the
many expenses they would face and couldnt
believe it when they agreed to give us one of the new V4 pushchairs
along with the carrycot. Mark and Helen were both extremely touched
and couldnt thank Stokke enough for their generosity.
To create the complete travel-system we also spoke with the Graco
team who were amazing in supporting our feature and supplying Mark
and Helen with the compatible Graco Logico-S car seat and adapters
and also another highly essential baby product, their babys first high
chair.
I cant thank Stokke and Graco enough for their generosity and their
support and I know that Mark and Helen have been overwhelmed by
everything that has been done for them. We look forward to meeting
the new addition in just a few months time and wish Mark and Helen
the very best of luck for the future.
For more information on either of these two amazing
companies, please visit their websites:
http://www.stokke.com/en_GB/home
Weve all done it wanted to keep our babies next to us at night but heard all
the horror stories about what could happen, what we should or shouldnt
do. So its not often that a baby product comes to the market that not only
covers all the safety aspects, keeps your baby close to you and then converts
to a multitude of other uses but thats exactly what the BabyBay Convertible
does. It converts easily into a bench Seat, Desk, High Chair and Playpen making
it excellent value for money (an additional conversion kit is required for
highchair and playpen..) The BabyBay Convertible has been around for a
couple of years now and I had the opportunity of seeing its benefits when
my sister-in-law bought one for use with my niece.
The practicalities of the BabyBay Convertible are endless and more than
anything they give the parents the security of having the little one very close
to hand. So what is it you may ask that makes it so useful? Despite the fact
that newborns only feel that vital calming security in the close presence of
their mothers, many parents choose to leave their babies alone in their own
rooms at night. Well quite simply the cleverly designed BabyBay Convertible
alleviates this problem by simply attaching to the side of the bed enabling
your child to have the safety, security and space to sleep whilst mum and
dad are immediately on hand keeping a watchful eye on their sleeping bundle
of joy finally, restful nights again for the whole family! Invented and
developed by a long-suffering father, the BabyBay Convertible returns peace
to the bedroom making for happy babies and well-rested parents. With all
of the negativity surrounding co-sleeping and with the BabyBay Convertible
recommended by midwives and used in hospitals, surely this is the most
logical and sensible option
For more information on BabyBay and their other products, or to purchase
a BabyBay Convertible, please visit:
www.naturalbabyshower.co.uk and www.nctshop.co.uk
Co-Sleeping the safe way
What makes the BabyBay Convertible so good:
The cotbase, which they invented, can be positioned at any
variable height, and they have patent protected it. Its extremely
easy to fit the bed on every height;
The robust clip attachment can be set independentlyeven from
below to guarantee that there will be no gap between parents
and babys bed;
You have a choice: choose the perfect solution for you between
4 models including the TREND and a model for twins, as well as
as to fit boxspring, divan beds and futons;
The BabyBay Convertible comes in a number of different
finishes and colours;
They only use natural solid beech for their frames and no suspect
gluewood or even wood alternative material. Beech wood is
anti-static and antibacterial;
The BabyBay Convertible is certified by TV/GS;
This mattress which with a Bamboo cover is specifically designed
for the BabyBay Co Sleeping Bed Side Cot. The high quality,
breathable foam core with comfortable soft cotton cover makes
for a baby-friendly microclimate: good air circulation without strip
the body of too much heat, for a healthy baby sleep;
Once your baby has outgrown the original BabyBay Convertible,
it transforms into a high chair, a bench, or an actual childs bed
or whatever its your choice (an additional conversion kit is
required for the highchair and playpen);
BabyBay Convertible has a FSC certificatethe seal of approval
for responsible, sustainable treatment of our forests. So your
children can enjoy a natural environment just as you will have
done.
Sleeping in the same bed as your baby is called co-sleeping or bed sharing.
One way to get more rest is to co-sleep with your baby in bed, for part of
the night or during the day. One advantage is that it is possible to let your
baby breastfeed while you dose or sleep. Around half of all UK mums
co-sleep with their baby at some time. Some experts believe parents should
be advised against co-sleeping because a larger proportion of Sudden Infant
Death Syndrome (SIDS or cot death) occur in the parents bed. Others point
out that the risks associated with co-sleeping are very much reduced if
neither parent smoke and are probably negligible if they avoid drinking
alcohol, taking drugs or falling asleep with the baby on a sofa.
For more advice or information, please contact:
Tel: 0300 330 0700
Website: http://www.nct.org.uk/contact-us
We have an amazing prize giveaway for one lucky reader the
chance to win a BabyBay Convertible and mattress RRP 269!
For your chance to win this fabulous competition, simply answer
the following question and email your answer to me at
info@babybuzzmagazine.com.
Q: Up to what age can you use the BabyBay Convertible in
side-sleeping mode?
a) up to 3 years old
b) up to 6 months old
c) up to 12 months old
You can find the answer here:
www.naturalbabyshower.co.uk
Family Focus
Family Focus
Author: Mark Edwards, General Manager at www.rocketlawyer.co.uk,
an online legal service providing families with easy-to-use,
professional legal documents and affordable help from specialist
lawyers.
Research shows that two-thirds of the population dont have a will, and
of this population a high percentage are in their prime-parenting years:
88% of those aged 20-29 dont have a will and 77% of those aged 30-39
are also without. The fact is, if you have children, a will is one of the
most important documents you can create to ensure they and (your
partner) are looked after in the worst case scenario. If you have just
become a new parent, that new status should prompt you to draw one
up.
One of the most important reasons to do so concerns the guardianship
of your children should anything happen to you and your partner. If you
have young children, you need to think about who you will appoint as
their testamentary guardian(s) this person(s) will take over the role
of parental responsibility for your children if they are under 18 at the
time of your death. It is a responsibility not to be taken lightly so you
must check that they are happy to take on the role. Not doing so means
that the courts may have to get involved to make the decision for you
which can only make a difficult situation even more so for your children.
You may have assets and cash gifts you would like to leave to specific
individuals, or your children. If the latter, it will usually be held in a trust
until they are 18. You will be able to nominate up to four executors who
will be able to manage this for you so choose reliable family members
or friends people you trust. Their role will be to ensure that all wishes
in your will are carried out - they can also be beneficiaries.
You might think that when you die, if you are married, your surviving
spouse will automatically receive all of your estate. However, this is not
the case. If you dont have a will, there are legal rules, called the
intestacy rules, which dictate which members of your family will
receive your estate. If you are not married, your partner will not be
entitled to anything, so the overarching golden rule is that its best to
take control of your estate by making a will.
And it neednt be a difficult and costly process either - there are now
great online legal services which simplify the process and make it really
affordable, giving you peace of mind that everything will be taken care
of according to your wishes should the worst happen. Rocket Lawyer
are offering a one-week free trial so you can even create a will for free
and save it online so you can simply revisit it if you need to make any
changes. As a rule, whenever your personal situation changes e.g. you
have another child, you should update your will too.
And once youve done it, you just need to follow some rules about how
to formalise it. The execution of your will requires three people: you
and two witnesses. In the presence of your two witnesses, you should
date the document and sign your name where indicated whilst your
witnesses watch. Ask your two witnesses to add, in your presence, their
usual signatures where indicated, asking them to print their names,
addresses and occupations clearly for identification purposes. Just bear
in mind that witness must be independent, so cannot be an executor,
beneficiary or related to you and your family in any way.
There you have it - it isnt as daunting a prospect as you may have
thought and encourages you to be proactive about taking steps to
protect your family, ensuring that they are looked after should anything
happen.
Where theres a will theres a way
When asked what internet themes parents would feel least
comfortable discussing with their child it was found that porn has
overtaken sex as the most difficult conversation for parents to have
with their kids. Six out of ten (58%) parents cited porn as the most
difficult discussion, while less than a quarter (19%) said discussing sex
with their child was the most uncomfortable topic. Over half (56%) of
parents believe that by the age of 12 years old their child knows more
about the internet than they do, with two fifths (41%) admitting that
their childs internet knowledge overtakes theirs by the time they are
10 years old.
Despite this, just a quarter of respondents (22%) plan to have the first
proper conversation with their child about adult themes (such as porn,
sex and violence) when their child reaches the age of 12 years old, yet
the majority (62%) are broaching such conversations even earlier -
before their childs 10 birthday. When asked what internet themes
they would feel least comfortable discussing with their child six out of
ten (58%) cited porn as the most difficult discussion, while less than a
quarter of parents (19%) said discussing sex with their child was the
most uncomfortable topic.
At what age do children lose their innocence to the internet?
- Nearly 8 in 10 parents (78%) respondents said the internet has
encouraged adult conversations with their child at an
increasingly early age, while nearly a third (32%) expressed
concern that the internet is eroding childhood innocence at an
earlier age
- Only 5% of todays parents said they do not intend to have the
adult conversation with their child, while a massive 45% of
respondents admitted they did not have this conversation
with their parent
How safe are todays children online?
- Four in ten parents admitted to allowing their child to use the
internet unsupervised (41%) and not setting up parental con-
trols on their childs connected device (42%)
- Three fifths of parents (61%) said they do not regularly track
the online activities of their child by checking their search
history, yet (40% admitted to keeping tabs on their partners
activity online using the same method
- When asked who is most responsible for making the internet
a safer place for children over half (54%) of parents said them-
selves, while one in seven (14%) identified internet providers
as the most responsible
Are parents successfully managing the issue of online exposure
and what are the implications for children?
o Nearly three fifths (58%) of the parents ques-
tioned said they do not restrict the amount of
time their child spends online, Nearly half (47%)
of respondents have not warned their child
about stranger dangers online
o Two thirds of parents (64%) have not explicitly
told their child not to look at adult content online
- Yet, despite this relaxed approach to online safety when asked
about their concerns for their child:
o 41% said their child spends too much time on
internet connect devices
o 21% said their child throws a tantrum when their
internet device is taken away
o While 45% said it is too easy for their child to
view inappropriate material online
What are children attitudes to the internet and online safety?
- Over three quarters (76%) of children play games on
their own online compared to just over a quarter (26%)
who play online games with friends
- When asked if they thought the Internet was
dangerous, seven in ten (70%) of children did not
believe there were dangers or were unsure of the
dangers facing them children said they get sad and
angry when theyre told its time to stop playing online.
For more information please visit:
http://avgreaad.me/connected-kids
http://avgread.me/magdamo
Family Focus
Almost 80 Per Cent of Parents Blame the Internet for Forcing
the Facts of Life Conversation to Happen at an Earlier Age !
New research from AVG Technologies indicates technology is
accelerating the end of childhood innocence by making parents
discuss awkward adult topics sooner.
Exclusive
Read our exclusive interview with the Lorraine
Show's Racy Reads Winner Anouska Knight
How did you get started as an
author?
Well! Mine was a pretty
unconventional route into
authordom, I think its fair to
say. In January 2013, Id just
dropped my two little boys off
at school, returned home to
find my husband had left for
work without turning the
flipping telly off and, by
chance, caught the last few
minutes of Lorraine Kelly
announcing the details of ITVs
Racy Reads competition.
The format was simple - submit 1k words of a novel with a little bit of
a racy kick to it, and the winner would bag themselves not only five
glorious days over in LA (including a little light lunch with the inimitable
Jackie Collins, by the way) but a one-book publishing deal with
romance giants, Harlequin Mills & Boon. And on Valentines Day 2013,
on live TV, I actually won!
What do you tend to write about?
Id say I tend to write about topics that resonate with me emotionally.
In particular issues that worry or bother me in some way, I think. My
debut novel, Since Youve Been Gone, followed young cake shop owner
Holly who had tragically lost her husband just as they were starting
married life together. Against a backdrop of everyone elses happy
ever after - brides commissioning Holly for their wedding cakes, new
parents celebrating their first childs Christening - Holly has to learn
not only how to navigate her own grief, but how to deal with a second
chance of happiness when it comes along unexpectedly. Basically she
has to learn how to love again. My second book, A Part Of Me, looks
at the struggle behind Amy Alwoods journey to become an adoptive
mum, the devastating fallout of having her dream jeopordised by
someone elses actions, and the subsequent loss of control she feels
over own life - helped in no way by the arrival of a very unlikely and
troublesome love interest. So definitely, its the emotive issues that
drive my plots. But I guess the one thread that runs consistently
throughout my novels, is love. I believe in it in its many forms, whether
were talking the romantic variety, or family bonds or friendship etc.
Without sounding gushy, I have faith in the ability love has to shake
things up for the better (and occasionally the worse), so I cant help but
to allow love to make its impact on my characters and their stories.
What do you hope to achieve through your writing/books?
Well it would be rather fabbo to have a movie starring super-glam
Hollywood A-listers based on either one of my novels or my jump from
Job-Hunting Housewife to International Bestselling Author! (I didnt
make that up, by the way. Its printed on the American cover of Since
Youve Been Gone... I know, totally bonkers!) But in all honesty, I think
Im like most mums with young children. I want to be around for their
sports days, and on hand when theyre off school with a gruesome
sickness bug, and to not panic about being stuck in a job I absolutely
loathe somewhere while theyre off on half term. All thats easier said
than done though I know, with houses to run and bills to pay. But if I
could just keep on writing books that people want to read, and work
from home around the chaos of my husband and kids, Ill be achieving
more than I ever thought possible before Valentines Day last year.
What has been the highlight of becoming an author?
Ah, there have been so many. The possibilities that have opened up to
me, being offered two additional book deals by my publishers, the
fantastic people Ive worked with, the varied authors Ive met, the sense
of doing something I really love and calling it work. But the thing that
floors me every time it happens, is when someone I dont know takes
the time to drop me a line on Twitter or Facebook for example, just to
tell me that they found something in my novel that struck a chord with
them or made them laugh or cry, or just that they think I did a good job.
Wow.
What has been the downside of becoming an author?
I havent found one yet. There are times that stress levels go through
the roof, or I feel like a big imposter whos going to be rumbled any
minute and told Thats it! No more publishing deals for you!, or Ill have
a chronic bout of the dreaded writers block and I know Ill end up having
to work through the night for the next week to make up for the time
Ive lost. But the bottom line is, all the good stuff is absolutely worth it.
What would your advice be to any parent wanting to become an author?
Dont think, do. I wish Id have started earlier. Read broadly, get an idea
of the genre you feel drawn towards, see what feels right. Then get to
it. I know its hard juggling the kids and the PFA meetings and the food
shops and the laundry and all of those things that just have to be done.
But try to use your time wisely. Writing requires a lot of thinking time
but dont do it in front of a blank laptop screen if you can help it, think
about your story in the bath, or while youre cooking dinner or on the
commute. Keep a notebook, and then when the kids are at school or in
bed or glued to a movie, get cracking. Start organising your notes and
thoughts into a loose plot outline, then start to pad that outline out.
Write detailed character profiles, know what drives them because theyll
drive your book. When you think youve got something youd pay money
for yourself, get it out there. Lots of publishers have submissions
pointers on their websites, as do literary agencies. Or, you can try your
material out on a site like Wattpad and have immediate feedback from
likeminded people thirsty for new reading material to gulp down.
And remember - it takes time. So keep at it. Trust me, amazing things
can happen.
For more information, to follow Anouska or to order a copy of her books
please visit the following:
http://www.millsandboon.co.uk/anouska-knight
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnouskaKnightAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AnouskaKnight
Book Reviews -
Childrens Books
Each month we review an amazing selection of new and innovative
products, fashion wear, baby and toddler essentials and travel systems
and this month is no different! This month we had the chance to
review the a brand new travel system from Ickle Bubba (you have to
love the name!) and also one for the families with multiples, the Joovy
Caboose 2 (The Big One!) This month we continue reviewing the
fabulous books being released and weve also been given a few
samples from the new collection of maternity wear from Tiffany Rose
for all you expecting mums.
As always, if you would like to join our focus group and join our review
panel, please contact me at info@babybuzzmagazine.com.
News & Reviews- - Book Reviews
A beautifully illustrated book that every little girl will relate too. A very easy to read story which captures your
imagination and makes you smile at the end with Milly getting her wish of meeting a mermaid in a way she couldnt
possibly imagine. Great for bedtime reading which will start your own little ones dreaming of mermaids.
Author: Maudie Smith
Illustrator: Antonia Woodward
Age: 3+
Price: Hardback 12.99 | Paperback 6.99 | Ebook 6.99
Buy from: www.orionbooks.co.uk
A new series of books detailing the travels of little Posie Pixie. The stories have been
matched with intricate illustrations that are wonderful. A great book to either read to
a younger child but also suitable for early readers to take them on their own enchanted
journey. Author Sarah Hill has managed to create a little character that everyone will
want see what will happen nextThe books are fuel for the imagination and will be reread
over and over again.
Author: Sarah Hill
Illustrator: Sarah Mauchline
Age: 5+
Price: From 4.99
Buy from: www.AbelaPublishing.com
I first came across the
Elmer books when
reviewing a new online
book app for children,
Me Books, last year.
Ever since then my little
girl and I have fallen in
love with Elmer and we
often read it before bed. What I hadnt realised is just how long
it has been in publication, now celebrating its 25 anniversary!
We adore Elmer, he is the friendliest and most gentle elephant
and every time we read the book we fall in love a little more.
There are a selection of books featuring Elmer including one called
Elmer and the Monster which has been released this year and
again it is a beautifully written and illustrated book that will
capture the hearts of children and their parents everywhere! We
are particularly liking little Bloo Bloo, I think its time to invest in
a cuddly toy to really make the storys come alive!
Author / Illustrator: David McKee
Age: All ages from 3 to 103!
Price: From 6.99
Buy from: www.andersenpress.co.uk
A really great interactive activity book that pre-
schoolers will love (and parents too due the
fantastic value!). The activity books are jam-
packed full of different things to do, not at least
mentioning the numerous stickers that come
along with the book! As my little girl was a little
too young for this, it was given to a member on
the review panel whose 5 year old absolutely
loved it!.
As she says; I gave my daughter this book and it
kept her quiet for a good half an hour whilst I started preparing dinner!
I would gladly recommend this to the other preschool mums for their
children as most of them really like this series and how the programmes
relate to every day circumstances.
Big thumbs up from our reviewer and of course from us!
Age: 4+
Price: From 3.99
Buy from: www.www.ladybird.com
News & Reviews- - Book Reviews
Im not sure who I like more, Bruno or Titch! What a great book to help children understand the
importance of looking after their pets. A great book for anytime of day and one that will be enjoyed
many times over. My little girl was fascinated by Titch, having never seen a guinea pig and thought
it was a mouse, Im looking forward to showing her one at the farm soon, which Im sure she will
think is Titch. A really fun and easy to understand book, pre-schoolers will love it!
Author/Illustrator: Sheena Dempsey
Age: 4+
Price: Hardback 11.99
Buy from: www.walkerbooks.co.uk
It is the illustration that captures you first with Vanilla Ice Cream. At first you think what is the relation to
the title to the book but by the end of the book you have a little smile when you see how Edie first experiences
the taste of vanilla ice cream.. I would think that this book would suit from 3+ with mum and dad reading it
during a lazy afternoon, wouldnt recommend it before bed as your little one may suddenly demand some
ice cream! A very gentle story as you watch the little sparrow find Edie and then let your imagination run
wild. Very much enjoyed with our 3 year old.
Author/Illustrator: Bob Graham
Age: 4+
Wow, what an incredible book! This is almost like being inside the mind of a young child and having an
endless supply of imagination! Each page is full of the most stunning illustrations that take you on a
whirlwind journey with Hamilton. The words are something that every little child will love, being completely
created from a wild imagination. Good luck to the parents trying to read some of the names, they really
are tongue twisters! Nonetheless, this is something again that children are going to love to read over and
over. Would love to see some other titles by this author to see what else he has created. Love it!
Author/Illustrator: Timothy Basil Ering
Age: 4+
Anyone who knows my youngest daughter will know just how much she loves Peppa Pig! Peppa Pig is the first thing
she thinks about in the morning and probably the last thing she thinks about before bed! Thanks to attending pre-school
three days a week she is learning about letters and numbers and a multitude of different things and is, in my opinion,
exceedingly bright for her age. You can imagine, in fact you probably heard her, when she came home to find we had
been sent the abc with Peppa book. She didnt put it down for 3 days and still loves it whilst trying to make me learn
my letters. Any other little Peppa Pig fans out there will love these books too. They are hard back so sturdy enough
to withstand excessive page turning and can withstand being taken everywhere!
Love that it is such a great price too!
Animation Studio: Astley Baker Davies Ltd
Age: 2-4 years
Price: 4.99 each
Buy from: www.ladybird.com
News & Reviews - Parent /Adult Book Reviews
What a brilliant interpretation written by one dad! I love the way that Commando Dads has been written
with the references to army life I chuckled when it described the CD (Commando Dads) and the CO
(Commanding Officer - otherwise known s the mummy-to-be)! Written with enough humour to engage the
reader but packed with essential / useful information, this is going to be a massive success for all new
fathers-to-be. The book gives the guys out there everything they need to know for the whole 266 days of
pregnancy and aims to mentally, physically and emotionally prepare them for fatherhood. Mums take note
- when you are about to tell your significant other they are going to be a father, get a copy of this book and
give it to them at the same time! Somehow I think it will make it a little less daunting Just brilliant!
Author: Neil Sinclair
Price: 10.99
Buy from: www.commandodad.com
Sometimes we could all do with a little inspiration to do fun things with our children. Having reviewed a
number of books over the last few months I can safely say this is probably the first one where everything
in it has been doable and with relative ease. Some of the other books have left me feeling like a particular
game or activity just wasnt practical or that it would involve a considerable cost and wouldnt suit the
average family. The 150 activities in this book are so easy to do and will guarantee you dont have the
Im bored or I cant afford it statement. A really great, well though out book that literally caters for
everyone. I think I can safely say that the Summer holidays are going to be jam-packed with fun activities.
Author: Myleene Klass
Price: 9.99
Buy from: www.orionbooks.co.uk
An absolutely incredible guide for expecting and new parents from this husband and wife team! Covering
all the developmental changes your little one will go through during the first 20 months of their life, this
book is easy to read without being over complicated and includes quotes from other parents which makes
it much easier to relate to.
The wonder weeks gives you a better understanding of all the new experiences your little one will go
through by giving you a secret insight into their world. You can certainly see why this book has sold over
1.5 million copies and has been quoted as being the worldwide #1 bestselling infant development book.
I wish it had been around when my two were little!
Author: Dr Hetty van de Rijt and Dr Frans Plooji
Price: 15.99
Buy from: www.thewonderweeks.com
Many women will know the brand Mills & Boon, known for its um slightly racier / sexy content. When I was
given the opportunity of interviewing Anouska Knight for this issue I was also given the chance to read her latest
novel A Part of Me. I was expecting more of the same, women meets man, has an illustrious affair (a considerable
amount of sexual detail in parts) and then lives happily after but I didnt get that at all, in fact I think Ive just
found my guilty pleasure!
Ok so the similarity in this story is that yes, she does live happily ever after, but the storyline is deep and has
you feeling so much for the main character, Amy. At points I wanted to throttle the husband for what he put
her through, but by the end of the book, I was in floods of tears with happiness. I actually received the book in
the afternoon after the school run and finished it one sitting, after not being able to put it down, and ended up
going to bed at gone 3am! Ive just been sent the first book that Anouska wrote, Since Youve Been Gone, and
having read the introduction online, I just know that Im going to enjoy it as much as the first one! I better put
the kettle on then
Author: Anouska Knight
News & Reviews- Pushchairs / Travel Systems
Every month I get to review a variety of travel systems and pushchairs
and this month weve seen two very different but equally amazing
options available to expectant / new parents. In this issue we will be
featuring the Hauck Lacrosse ShopNDrive Travel System and the
Mamas & Papas Armadillo Pushchair. We will also be featuring the
latest release from Stokke, the Xplory V4, in a few months time after
our Real Life Story feature (on page 41) gives us their review on one
of the most popular options on the market.
As many of my readers will know, I think very highly of the Hauck brand,
purely because each product they have launched, and that we have
reviewed, has proven to be a combination of quality, style and great
value! I understand that sometimes parents just cant afford the big
name brands, and the exceedingly high price tags that they come with,
but why should they settle for cheap and poor quality when there are
some great options available that dont cost the earth.
This is where Hauck fit in perfectly - providing the affordable travel
system. The Lacrosse Shop N Drive (SND) fits perfectly into this
category. You get one box which includes everything you need from
pushchair, car seat, foot muff and rain cover (from next month you can
purchase the Lacrosse All In One which will also include the carry cot!).
The Lacrosse SND is a great reminder of the first travel system we
reviewed for the magazine and again shows just what you can get for
your money. As with all the Hauck models, the unit comes neatly
packaged in one box and is very straight forward to put together, there
are instructions but the ease in which you can assemble it really is great
and doesnt warrant more than a little commonsense.
The Lacrosse is very easy to handle thanks to its lockable and swivelling
front wheels. The big wheels and the suspension are ideal for off-road
adventures and the handle can be adjusted individually to cater for your
height. There is also a cup holder and your baby items can be stowed
in the generous shopping basket underneath. The car seat feels very
lightweight but in fact it has an innovative side-impact protection system
with patented use of shock-absorbing PU foam and the padded 3-point
harness to ensure safety on every ride. The particularly soft padding of
the baby carrier offers extra comfort. As with most car seats, there is
an additional head protection insert to support your baby's head. A
seat wedge is also inserted to ensure the correct position of the baby
in the car seat which we removed as our little reviewer was that bit
older.
For your shopping trips, combine car seat and chassis in order to form
the practical Shop'n Drive system. This way, you can let your baby sleep
along when you get the car seat out of the car. You do not need any
additional adapters because these are already integrated into the
armrests of the stroller. The buggy seat can be installed by hand easily.
Due to the flat lying position and in combination with the boot cover,
you can already use the stroller from day one. When your child is older,
you can simply turn the buggy seat around. This way, your child can
either watch you or the surroundings. The soft reversible seat cover
provides the best possible sitting comfort. Highest security is
guaranteed by the 5-point harness and the removable front bar. We
loved the extendable sun canopy which was considerably more than
others we had seen.
We are giving away this fantastic travel system to one lucky
reader!
For your chance to win, simply send your answer to the
following question, to me at info@babybuzzmagazine.com
Q: What is the buggy weight in total?
a) 15.2kg
b) 5.2kg
c) 10.2kg
Answers can be found here: http://www.hauckuk.com/uk-collection
Please note that the wheels will have some sign of wear as we have used it for the
purpose of this review.
Hauck Lacrosse Shop N Drive - RRP: 379.99 (Available from
www.mothercare.com and many other retailers)
Choice of two colours
Whats Included: Pushchair, Car Seat, Foot Muff, Rain Cover
Hauck are definitely one of our market leaders when it comes
to pushchairs / and travel systems and it just goes to show
that not everything has to cost the earth!
News & Reviews- Pushchairs / Travel Systems
The first thing I noticed about the Armadillo pushchair is just
how stylish it is! It resembles another more expensive brand,
especially in Lemon Drop Yellow, but costs a fraction of the price.
Most parents will understand what it feels like when your little
one gets to about 6 months or so and the original big travel
system youve bought becomes too heavy and cumbersome but
you dont want to purchase a stroller as there isnt as much
support or stability. This is where the Armadillo comes into its
own. The Armadillo is knows as the Big Little stroller and its
very easy to see why. The pushchair comes packaged in a
considerably small box and we were surprised that when we took
it out, it was pretty much self-assembled and easy to flip open
(with just one hand I might add!). The Armadillo is considerably
lightweight and has many redeeming features. There is
significant room for your child to stretch about and wiggle and
you can also have the seat completely flat, which is great for
younger babies or toddlers who want to sleep.
The Armadillo is very easy to handle. Our little one, who is quite
tall for her age, actually sat very comfortably in this and didnt
feel restricted at all. The shopping basket is a great size (3kg
capacity) and you can access it from pretty much every angle
which is great when your little one is asleep and you cant get in
from the back. The Armadillo also folds really easily and quite
compact which is surprising considering how much seat space
there is. The hood is extra large, giving more coverage against
the weather and is also made up of a UPF50+ fabric for
protection against UV rays (there is also a little peek-a-boo
window built in). The brakes are very easy to apply and
disengage and are indeed flip flop friendly.
Weve reviewed a number of pushchair / strollers over the last
18 months and this is by far one of the betters ones when you
dont want to be heaving around a travel system. Should you
want to use this as a travel system you do have the option of
purchasing the Aton car seat (135) and adapters (29.95) to
give you the full flexibility to have from birth.
We are looking forward to seeing what Mamas and Papas have
coming next if the Armadillo and the Mylo 2 are anything to go
by!
Mamas and Papas Armadillo - RRP: 199.00 (Available from
www.mamasandpapas.com and other retailers)
Choice of five colours
Whats Included: Pushchair, Rain Cover
This pushchair really is great. I have a 3 year old and an 11
month old. I was fed up of using my big pram but didn't want
to use a little buggy as I wanted baby to be comfortable &
also wanted to attach a buggy board. This pushchair is easy
to put up & fold down - I can do it one handed whilst holding
baby. I really love that it still folds with stuff in the basket so
you don't end up with a boot full of junk every time you need
to put the buggy in the car! The basket is a great size and
accessible from front and rear. The hood is brilliant - shades
sun from all angles so no faffing with parasol or sunshade.
The raincover is also really easy - just clips onto the end of
the hood and covers baby so again, no faffing whilst getting
drenched! Both my sons are happy in it - I use it occasionally
for my 3 year old if he's tired and I don't have baby with me.
People comment on it everywhere I go - I love it!
- Giraffe, Hertfordshire
News & Reviews - Furniture & Travel Accessories
Stompa Play 3 - Cabin Bed with Play
Tent and Slide
I have always been rather curious about this style of bed for
children, having seem them around for a few years now, so when
we were recently given the opportunity of reviewing one, I
jumped at the chance.
The first thing that struck me was the delivery, which you might
think is an odd thing to say. It came in two boxes, one for the bed
and one for the slide. The main one for the bed however, was
marginally bigger than the one for the slide and I did ask the
delivery drivers if they were missing a box. They assured me that
they hadnt and off they left, leaving me to start building. After
clearing space in the bedroom, I unpacked all the boxes and laid
out all the pieces (there are quite a few of them - so be prepared!).
The ease in which this went together was amazing, and it only
took me the best part of a couple of hours to get it all done (with
the help of my 13 year old). The finished product is much better
than what it looks like in the picture and the quality is immediately
apparent. The bed is, however, bigger that I expected and
therefore takes up quite a bit of space.
The bed is recommended for 6+ but it really does depend on your
child and what they are comfortable with. We were a little
apprehensive as my little girl is just 3 years old but we neednt
have worried. She isnt left alone at any point and since having
built the bed she has slept in her bed every night - so Im beyond
impressed! She absolutely loves this bed and often says I want
to go upstairs and play on the slide, so we go up, and every teddy
comes with us, to take a turn going down the slide. The tent
fixture below is extremely fun with it being the number one spot
for hide and seek, as well as being useful and hiding all the
unsightly things we had by the side of her cotbed.
The Stompa Play 3 comes with five colour options for the tent
section. If you dont want to have the slide option, then you can
purchase the Stompa Play 2 instead. Prices start from 349 for
the Stompa Play 2 and 423.20 for the Stompa Play 3. In my view,
and more importantly that of my little girl, the bed is worth every
penny and provides endless hours of fun!
www.roomtogrow.co.uk
Britax are one of the most well known car seat manufacturers on the
market today. The first car seat we reviewed for Baby Buzz Magazine
was a Britax model and since then we have reviewed numerous other
brands, some great and others well, not so great. Britax have just
launched the new Britax King II LS and I have to say that first
impressions were WOW! Many parents have cars that dont have,
what we all know is, the safer Isofix connectors and this is where the
King II LS really excels.
The installation of the King II LS is so straight forward with no fussing
and simply requires tilting the seat unit forward and linking the
seatbelt on the rear parts and shutting the seat unit back on top. The
patented seat belt tensioning system takes care of the rest. With so
much emphasis put on the safety failures many parents are guilty off,
and not securing the child properly into their car seat, the King II LS
has a security feature to ensure you have fitted your child in correctly.
A little green light lights up once your child is in place so that you
know it has been done properly.
The actual seat unit of the Britax King II LS is also very impressive and
whether it is just asthetically so, the actual seat appears wider than
other car seats we have tried, which when you have a child who is a
little larger than the average 3 year old, comes in very handy.
I love the fact that the seat is easily removable to wash, as thanks to
the joys of potty training, we had to pretty much dismantle a car seat
and it was almost impossible to put back together (at one point I was
threatening to throw the whole thing away - before common sense
got the better of me). The Britax King II LS is really quite amazing for
those who want something safer than just a standard seat belt fixture
across the back and dont have the Isofix option and we would highly
recommend it to all parents looking for the next Stage 1 car seat.
Britax also has a very useful feature on its website called Fit Finder,
which is an online tool that assists a consumer to identify the right
seat for their child and their car. The newly updated function allows
parents to narrow their car seat search by the age and weight of their
child as well as the make, model and year of the vehicle. For each
seat, Fit Finder will also inform users what seat positions are
approved in the vehicle and the appropriate fitting method be it
the ISOFIX, ISOFIT or via the car seat belt. You can view the latest Fit
Finder here http://www.britax.co.uk/car-seats/fit-finder
www.britax.co.uk
Group 1, 9kg - 18kg (9m - 4y)
Light and sound harness
indicator
Patented seat belt tensioning
system
5-point safety harness
Deep, softly padded full side
wings Performance chest pads
Height-adjustable headrest
Four recline positions
Harness retainers
Quick-remove washable cover
Softly padded cover
News & Reviews Games & Toys
As a child I used to play
boardgames with my
brothers and sister all the
time and so I love seeing
new games come out and
seeing how good they are.
We were really intrigued
by this one though as the
game are old classics that you get to design yourself! With the stickers
and boards and counters that you can colour in yourself, what a
brilliant way to make something that little bit more special for your
child.
My oldest was a little Im too old to colour this in but after a while
even she got involved and then we had a fun afternoon playing a game
(or two) of snakes and ladders and ludo.
A really novel approach to getting children interested in board games
again, especially the older games that we as parents know all too well.
The game is schedule for release in Augusst but for more information,
please visit: http://www.laurenceking.com
Keeping up with the ever demanding range of
TV cartoons must be an almost impossible task
so when we were contacted by Bandai Toys to
see what latest products they had available we
said absolutely. The selection that we were
given were mainly for boys and I have the two
boys toys to a young mum with two sons to try out. As expected,
they absolutely loved them and wouldnt put them down. There was
a slight issue with the Pacman head as it kept coming off from the
hinge, but it was easy to re-attach. The little Locksie doll was great
and another mums little girl had the pleasure of dressing and
designing this character. With a simple use of pushing the fabric into
cleverly featured slots you create the material into little outfits along
with stickers to finish off the lock - a really clever product for the little
fashionista. Prices start from: 9.99
For more information, please visit: www.bandai.co.uk
With a lot of the books we have reviewed
this month, they are all about
encouraging the imagination The Pirate
Adventure Dice is a brilliant way to
stimulate your childs creativity and
imagination with these clever little dice.
The game is based on 9 beautifully
illustrated die where you can become
the captain of your own ship and travel
across the many seas! The beauty of this game is that every story
will be a different tale and the game wont grow old, there are no
limits as to how many people can play along and you can have
children (and adults) of all ages take part.
One of our favourite games this year! Prices from 9.95
For more information, please visit: http://www.waterstones.com/
Now for something catering towards the
older child. My oldest daughter Mia, who
is 13, has always loved building games
whether it be Lego or complicated 3d
puzzles and so when we were given the
latest in KNex she was the obvious choice
to review.
The complexity of the particular one we
were given, the Transporter Chopper,
managed to keep her quiet for over an hour.
The box did indicate it was suitable for 7+ but
it would have to be with an adults help as even
Mia struggled in places. Overall it was
thoroughly enjoyed and considering that it
had a rotating Helicopter blade the RRP on this was just 19.99 - so
considerably cheaper than Lego or other similar toys. KNex will be
releasing a similar product for pre-schoolers later in the year which
we cant wait to try out.
For more information, please visit: http://www.smythstoys.com
Most parents will already be familiar with the Lamaze name, popular
for their bright colours and interactive design. We were sent four of
their new products to try out with our reviewers and they are as
playful, creative and eye-catching as ever.
We had a Bella the Bunny Hide and Seek book and a Bella the Bunny
toy as well as a Torin the T-Rex Hide and Seek book and a Torin the
T-Rex toy. Each of the toys has the hoop to enable you to attach to a
buggy, car seat or anywhere else that you wish for your child to be
able to interact really. The toys have educational elements whether
it be to stimulate touch, sight or sound and are very much fun. The
Hide and Seek books have a matching little miniature version of the
toy in the front pouch and these are attached securely via a chord to
the book as well, so you dont have to worry about your child losing it
or dropping it. There are numerous characters and animals to choose
from so you are bound to find something to please your little one.
Lamaze have excelled once again with their range of toys designed for
babies and toddlers and have continued to infuse their signature bright
colours with new designs, education and fun. Prices from 9.99
For more information, please visit: http://www.tomy.com/lamaze
News & Reviews - Health & Beauty Products
The second of the products to be sent to us for review
is the Bio-Kult Infantis, a unique multi-strain probiotic
formula that has been designed specifically for infants,
toddlers and young children. Bio-Kult Infantis is
available in easy to use 1g powdered sachets and
contain essential ingredients for your babys growth
including:
7 strains of live probiotic bacteria (including two of the most
predominant species found in an infants gut);
High levels of Omega 3 believed to contribute to early brain
development and cognitive function, along with immune support;
Vitamin D3: the sunshine vitamin that helps contribute to the
normal function of the immune system;
Preplex Prebiotic: a food source for beneficial bacteria, which is
naturally present in breast milk.
Each box comes with 16 sachets. Again we will be giving this to one
mum to review for us and getting advice from our resident experts
about what the benefits actually are to children. Price: 11.95 for a
box of 16 sachets.
For more information, please visit: www.bio-kult.com
This month we have been
sent a range of amazing
products created by Natalie
Balmond, founder of
Purepotions.
Natalie formulated the first of
her products when her
daughter Lula was suffering
from a chronic dry skin
condition. None of the
treatments she had tried,
conventional GP-prescribed
creams or alternative remedies,alleviated the itching and soreness that
was causing Lula a great deal of distress. Lula was so poorly that 90% of
her body was covered in open bleeding sores and she had to be wrapped
in bandages every day. Natalie was desperate to find a solution and finally
she took matters into her own hands. With much determination and
experimentation, Natalie developed a natural salve in her own kitchen,
using a combination of herbs and oils which dramatically improved the
condition of her daughters dry skin. Following an article in a newspaper
Natalie was soon inundated with requests for her ointment from people
with similar skin problems. The success of her salve then inspired her to
create a range of natural baby products and first aid rescue products,
equally effective and made from 100% natural ingredients. We were
sent the products to try out and having just had them a few days, we can
already see a different in my little girl who suffers greatly with pull-up
rash and redness on quite a frequent basis and with the heat it seemed
to really be causing havoc. Having used this on the first day by day two
the redness had reduced drastically and by day three, it wasnt bothering
her at all! We will be using the baby oil and bath and body oil over the
next month and the full review will be featured in the July/August issue
so keep an eye out for it. If the nappy salve is anything to go by, I cant
wait. I also suffer from very feet so Im going to see if the intensive
moisturising ointment can help with that. Walking around in sandals all
day, every day, really makes my feet sore and very painful and Ive
struggled to find anything to help so far.
There has been a lot of emphasis on
probiotic formulas whether it be in
yoghurts, drinks or tablets. This month
we have been given two to try out. The
first to be tested by us are the Solaray
daily chewable tablets which have
been created in little dinosaur shapes
and flavoured in either Blackberry or
Root Beer. The DinoDophilus Probiotic
chewables (Blackberry) are a blend of
L.acidophilus, B. Bifidum and L. Bulgaricus and has been formulated
to meet the specific needs any changes to your childs diet and to
support your childs health therefore preventing an digestive upset.
Solaray DinoDophilus is a combination of 2 billion (at time of
manufacture) important intestinal flora intended to provide nutritive
support for a childs delicate digestive system. The Ear-a-Saurus
chewables (Root Beer) contains Xylitol , which has been the subject
of research indicating it provides nutritive support for normal levels
of bacteria in the ear. When bacteria enters the body, it holds on to
tissue through a variety of sugar complexes. Xylitol has been studied
for its ability to interfere within this adherence. In studies, Xylitol has
also been suggested to help support oral health by inhibiting the
microorganisms most responsible for tooth decay, S.mutans.
Weve been taking this for about a week now and whilst there is no
apparent visual change the fact that she is reaping the benefits is
enough for me. Ive tried the tablets and they are actually very
pleasant tasting. Each bottle contains 60 tablets so once we have
finished them, we will review them more definitively as well as getting
advice from our resident health experts. Price: 9.99 per bottle.
For more information, please visit: www.solarayuk.co.uk
Natalie Balmond and her
daughter Lula
I was intrigued by the Deep
Freeze Cold Patch as it claims to
provides effective relief from
muscular aches and pains and is
particularly useful for back pain.
I gave a couple of sachets to a
member of our review panel
who told us that she was
plagued by back aches and they
didnt really work too well for
her. However, as I am quite
often hunched over a computer
Ive developed chronic aches in
my neck and shoulders and de-
cided to try one of these to see
if it would help and it was sheer bliss. The cold sensation was an
instant relief and it was so simple to use by simply peeling the
back off and and sticking it in place. Ill definitely be keeping a
supply of these!
The real benefit to Deep Freeze though is that it is also
the only topical pain killer that can be used safely when breast-
feeding and during pregnancy.
RRP is 1.55 for a single patch and 5.10 for a pack of four
patches. It contains menthol, aloe vera and water in a hydrogel
layer which slowly evaporates to produce prolonged cooling relief
for up to three hours. The slim patch stays in place simply and
easily and can be worn under clothing.
For more information, please visit: http://www.deepfreeze.co.uk/
News & Reviews - Baby Gadgets & Essentials
Over the last year or so, we have
seen a real influx of parents
wanting to prepare and make their
baby / toddler meals and there are
a few gadgets that have been brought to the market trying to help us
do just that, with the minimum of fuss. After attending the Baby Show,
Excel in February we were introduced to BabyMoov who have created
the Nutribaby. With nutrient preservation at the heart of its design,
this unique 5-in-1 processor adapts to the needs of the whole family,
with enough cooking and blending capacity to whip-up a feast for a
small tribe! Through the aid of the easy-to-use LCD digital timer,
removable cooking baskets and useful nooks to cook eggs, parents
can set the correct time, to the minute, and cook a variety of foods
separately in the two baskets to feed children of varying stages of
development with relative ease; steam cook a fillet of fish, whilst
cooking vegetables for baby and a boiled egg for an older child. Once
the cooking is complete, the Nutribaby conveniently detaches to
become a handy family blender, where the innovative juice recovery
tray enables parents to alter the consistency of purees, preserving
those all-important vitamins and minerals!
The Nutribabys five functions include:
- Steam cooking to maintain freshness, flavour and the
nutritious values of foods
- Mixing to prepare soups, sauces, pures
- Warming bottles and jars
- Sterilising bottles and accessories
- Defrosting small meals prepared in advance
The ease in which you can cook meals with the Nutribaby is amazing
and the meals are delicious (it helps that there is a website with many
different recipes and suggestions). We absolutely LOVED testing this
product and have in
fact used it for main
meals for all the
family. The ideas are
endless with this and
you can do just about
anything with it. A
great product at a
great price too at just
99.99! Definitely
one of our favourites!
For more information, please visit:
http://products.babymoov.eu/feeding.html
There are so many different
forms of baby carriers on the
market today that it can get a
little confusing about which
one to choose and which one
works best for you. I actually
saw Lillebaby at the Baby
Show last year and was so
impressed with their carrier
and what it offered to both
mum and dad that I had to get
one for one of my reviewers
to try out.
We were sent the Lillebaby
Complete to test and this is what our mum said about it:
Sharon: We absolutely loved the packaging and seeing how much care
and attention had gone into it. The carrier looks really sleek,
the one we have is plain black, and the instructions on how to
use it were so straight forward. Our little girl is only a few
months old and so to be able to use it from birth but to still
use it so many other ways as she gets older is fantastic. Weve
seen other carriers that are suitable just from birth and then
you have to buy another one in accordance with their weight,
and it became all a little confusing as to which one would work
at which point. We liked that it was made of mesh fabric as
we always thought out little one would get very hot and stuffy
whilst we wore this, but she doesnt at all. We are looking
forward to using as she gets older - thank you so much..
I definitely think this will be a huge hit with readers as there has clearly
been a lot of care, attention and research into what works best for the
parent. Great value at 95.00 from many online retailers.
Im always interested in
new gadgets when it
comes to making mums
and dads life that little bit
easier and the Difrax S-
bottle warmer does just
that!. It is such a simple thing that if not done
promptly can cause one almighty uproar and
stress and upset for both you and your little
one. The Difrax S-bottle warmer heats up milk
(whether breast milk or formula) in just 3
minutes to the ideal temperature of 37c.
There is no need to wait for the bottle to cool
down as its ready to use immediately. The unit
itself is very easy to clean and can be washed
in the dishwasher. The Difrax S-bottle warmer
is compatible with all Difrax S-bottle sizes
natural and wide.
Read what two of our mums thought of the S-bottle warmer online
at www.babybuzzmagazine.com
Anything that can make life easier for you and your child can only be
a great thing! Prices are from 69.99.
For more information, or to purchase the the difrax S-bottle warmer
or bottles, please visit: http://uk-en.difrax.com/babyproducts
See our fabulous competition on page 82 to win one of five Limited
Edition World Cup Soother and S-Bottle sets!
Im pretty sure that most of my
readers will have heard of the
Brita Water filter Jugs but you
can now buy the portable
version called the Fill&Go.
Thanks to the little filters that fit
inside the cap you can enjoy pure
filtered water, refilled anywhere
without the cost of buying
bottled water!
From just 10 from Tesco and an
additional pack of 8 filters will
cost you just 8.00 (you do need to change the filters every week to
get the best usage). We absolutely love ours and dont go anywhere
without it.
For more information, please visit http://www.brita.co.uk
News & Reviews - Baby Clothing & Accessories
Ive worked with many brands who
create muslin cloths and swaddling
wraps over the last 18 months and
I have seen great quality products
and basic cheaper products, that
just havent lived up to
expectations, so I was very
interested to see just how different Sewlomax were with their
creativity, quality and design. Almost every mum will tell a
new or expecting parent that one of the essentials they must
buy are muslin cloths (by the dozen!) The problem is the plain
ones are just boring and the really nice ones cost a fortune!
When we received our little bundle from Sewlomax the first
thing I though was what great patterns, at last something
different. The large muslins come in gift boxes of three and
are amazingly priced at just 26! The quality is great, very soft
and after we had one taken just about everywhere with us for
a week, it still looked in really good condition (weve seen some
that havent made it through the week before getting holes
and stained - so this is really good!). They have also created
some gorgeous Baby Bibs in packs of two and again come in
the same great designs and patterns and cost just 8. The bibs
are plastic backed to ensure spills dont soak through and stain
the clothing underneath and they have a Velcro finish that
snugly fits around baby. Both are great gift options when you
want to buy something that is stylish but so very essential.
For more information or to
purchase any of the items weve
featured, please visit their website:
http://www.sewlomax.com/
tommy and lottie is a British
brand born in 2014. They
create unisex babies t-shirts
that have gorgeous graphic images which everyone can relate to. The
designs are British images with a twist of nostalgia. They also give a
soft message about how important these things are to protect,enjoy
and cherish. The babies t-shirts are well made using the softest quality
cotton. Ethical and sustainable, this includes traceable vertical
production meaning that the cotton is grown, produced, manufactured
in one place and not all over the world. No harmful chemicals or dyes
are used in any of the processes of production. Also ensuring that
employees from local communities are given jobs so they can support
their families and live a quality way of life whilst being treated fairly
within the work place.
We were sent the little Hedgehog t-shirt
to review with our little girl and it is the
sweetest little image with an acorn and
oak leaf printed on the back. What I really
liked about this t-shirt is that even though
we have the largest size at 18 - 24 months
it still had poppers on the should to make
putting it on and taking it off nice and
easy! T-shirts are priced at 17.00 and long sleeved tops are priced at
20. To see the range available, please visit their website:
http://www.tommyandlottie.com/
Socks, socks and socks!
We all need socks
theres no escaping that,
but do you really know
the difference between
great quality socks and
just your average pair of cottons? I didnt have
a clue until we received a little bundle of
childrens and adults socks to try out.
The little baby & toddler socks are just gorgeous
with their latest design of Little Africa
featuring giraffe on the sides. They also
have a range of socks which are called
Active Sunny Days and they are
designed to provide optimum moisture
management for your child. Falke have
an incredible range of socks for all the
family and we were even sent some to
try for ourselves. The ladies socks are
incredible and feel like silk enveloping
your feet, admittedly they do come with
a slightly high price tag of 10 but they
feel divine and after all it is nice to treat
yourself to a bit of luxury every now and
then. Childrens socks start at 4.50.
http://www.falke.com/
News & Reviews - Food Product Reviews
Daioni, the Welsh organic milk brand is
encouraging people to drink more milk this
summer, with the launch of its new flavoured
milk range. These handy cartons of dairy
goodness are low in fat, sugar and free from all
artificial colouring and come in 3 delicious
flavours, Chocolate, Strawberry and Banana,
milk time will never be the same again!
Produced on the family farm in Pembrokeshire
Wales, each chilled glass is full of Welsh
goodness. A tasty alternative to standard milk,
the small cartons are the perfect size for fitting
in your handbag or the childrens lunch boxes
for a daily calcium fix. Long gone are the days
when the whole family would get their daily
dairy needs, instead you are lucky if you manage
to grab a bowl of cereal in the morning or a cup
of tea with a splash of milk throughout the day.
Daioni is therefore launching 3 scrumptious
flavors of organic semi-skimmed, milk, to
ensure that everyone milks it over the coming months.
We were given one of each flavour to try out and they are absolutely
delicious. With a three year old who is quite fussy in what she drinks
and for me who doesnt really like to drink milk on its own, they
are really good and a really great way of getting children to drinking
milk as opposed to sugary alternatives! In handy 200ml cartons for
on the go, or a lunchbox treat or a 250ml cartons to pour a cold
glass at home, Daioni Flavoured Organic Milk Drinks are available
in Chocolate, Strawberry and Banana on Ocado, independent delis
and cafes nationwide with an RRP of 0.79p for 200ml and 0.99p
for 250ml
Definitely something I am going to keep buying for our family and
would happily recommend it to all our readers too!
For more information, please visit: http://trioni.com/
POM Wonderful, renowned for its unique
100% pomegranate juice has launched a brand
new addition to its range - POM Wonderful
Pomegranate & Cloudy Apple Juice. The
delicious blend of sweet pomegranate and
zesty cloudy apple results in a heavenly drink
that is just ideal for expectant mums or
parents trying to conceive. Larger and redder
than many other varieties each bottle contains
the juice of four Californian pomegranates, so
its packed full of fruity flavour and
pomegranate power, which includes: Potassium, to help regulate your
blood pressure; Foliate, helps produce DNA and form healthy new cells,
(particularly important during pregnancy); Iron, needed for the
production of haemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying part of blood and
Calcium, crucial in growing new bone and maintaining bone strength
to name a few! Plus, POM Wonderful juices also have no added sugar,
flavours or colours - so it not only tastes great but is brimming with
natural goodness for not just you and your baby but for the whole
family too. We absolutely loved the taste of this, very fresh and
refreshing. A little expensive at 3.56 for 710ml but a great refreshing
alternative than having the same old fruit juices over and over again.
Available at most supermarkets and online retailers.
So I confess, I love
cake, pretty much
every cake and I do like
to bake as much as I
can with my girls! If Im
not working like crazy
on the next issue of the
magazine then Im
normally in the kitchen
cooking up something!
When we were contacted to review some of the newest cake mixes
from the Greens brand, we were very excited, after all there was the
promise of cake at the end of it! The cake mixes are really straight
forward and require just the addition of water and an egg. First on the
bake and taste test was the rainbow cake. Whilst this isnt the rainbow
cake that I had imagined (with the seven layers of different colour cake)
I can see why it was called it with all the multi-coloured sprinkles that
you had to mix in with the cake mix and then decorate with. Preparing
this was very easy and baked as instructed. If Im honest, my oldest
daughter and I werent really taken with the finished product and found
it had a slight artificial aftertaste whereas the littlest one absolutely
loved it and ate two slices (admittedly small slices)!. We therefore went
into making the daisy cakes with a little apprehension as to what they
would be like. Again the preparation was really easy (there were a little
too many cases for the mixture but thats okay as we are always baking
cupcakes) and we followed the baking instructions. Once out of the
oven, we let them cool down and got started on cutting out the daisy
shapes from the royal icing, which is also provided, and mixed the
yellow icing to cover the cakes. This bit was fun (and messy!) but the
end result was a great success. They tasted delicious and didnt last
the full day and we would gladly buy this one again. Having looked at
the Greens website, there are quite a few other mixes and puddings
wed like to try so keep posted and well start the baking process all
over again - heres to happy baking!
All products are available nationwide in Tesco and Sainsburys, and will
have an RRP of between 1.79 and 2.79. For more information or to
see the full range available, please visit: http://www.greenscakes.co.uk/
We are loving how much The
co-operative food have become
involved with the World Cup this
year, having brought out a
number of delicious meal options
with new finger-food lines,
including Nacho Cheese Bites
160g - yummy mozzarella sticks
with a spicy nacho crumb and
jalapeos. The new own-brand
Buffalo Wings - roasted chicken
wings with a traditional buffalo
hot sauce - will also be a big hit.
Other delicious additions include
crispy potato skins with a
selection of yummy dips, and new
battered onion rings. We had the chance to try out some of their new
products including the most amazing Tapas dishes scheduled to be
launched very soon. We are extremely lucky that we live above a
newly opened store and so it is almost our local - but the variety that
they now have as well as great savings on everyday products is just
incredible. Definitely somewhere to visit to get some great produce
and great prices. Well be seeing you soon!
We operate in the Enfield and surrounding areas, Barnet Southgate Cheshunt to name a few. We are able to offer a wide range of equipment Soft play, Bouncy slides
and Bouncy Castles, We have various themed castles available. With our new online booking system you are able to check the availability on any of our inflatables and
book right away. We recommend that you book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment,. Our prices are for daily hire which includes delivery and collection dependent
on location, We will assemble and dismantle all of the equipment and provide instructions for safe use. For more information please contact us at:
www.katieskastles.co.uk
Survey reveals that nine out
of 10 Mums want children
to get closer to nature but
eight out of 10 admit its
too easy to give children
technology!
Children would rather be
outside than watching TV
or playing computer
games, according to a
survey of Mums, released
by Organix Goodies today.
Despite the appeal of Angry
Birds and TV programmes
like the Octonauts, less than one in three (29%) Mums said their
child prefers the computer or watching TV to the great outdoors.
The survey revealed that Mums are keen to get their children
outside exploring. Nine out of ten (92%) Mums want their child to
get close to nature and wildlife. Nearly all (97%) say being outside
with their child is fun and that they love seeing their sense of wonder
(97%). But while Mums value time outside, more than eight out of
ten (84%) say its sometimes too easy to give children technology
to play with.
The Organix Goodies survey asked over 700 Mums of babies and
toddlers aged 12 months to 3 years about the importance of
exploring when bringing up children. It showed that Mums know
that helping their child explore the world around them is critical to
their childs development. Nearly all (99%) said that exploring
helped improve their childs curiosity, independence, creativity and
imagination as well as their problem solving ability (96%).
Child development experts agree with the benefits of exploring. Dr
Angharad Rudkin, chartered clinical psychologist MA (Oxon),
CPsychol, AFBPSS says: Exploring is the main way toddlers learn
about themselves, others and the world around them. Exploring
means developing independence, playing with different things in a
different way, finding out what they can and cant do and developing
language to say what they want to do. But busy lives and lack of
space and inspiration can stand in the way of encouraging budding
explorers, with nine out of ten Mums saying that lack of time
prevents them from helping their child explore.
Barriers to exploring cited by Mums include:
lack of time (89%)
lack of physical space and opportunity (72%)
lack of confidence (61%)
lack of creative ideas (58%)
Mums looking back at their own childhood feel that children today
dont have the same freedom as they did a generation ago.
90% of Mums believe children nowadays have less freedom
because of awareness of health and safety issues
88% of Mums believe life was simpler when they were a child
82% of Mums believe they wouldnt feel safe giving their child
the same freedom they had when they were growing up
72% of Mums believe the worlds a more dangerous place
now than when they were young
Recognising the pressures on Mums to find the time and space to
encourage their children to explore, Organix Goodies has created
the Explore with Goodies Campaign, to inspire parents to explore
with their little ones. Organix Goodies will be on tour visiting 25
destinations across the UK with lots of fun stuff for toddlers to enjoy
over the summer, as well as providing a useful resource hub on the
Organix website with great activities and top tips for exploring.
Aileen Nicol, from Organix Goodies says: We know how important
exploring is for a childs development and how crucial it is in helping
them gain awareness and understanding of themselves and their
surroundings. Mums are under pressure to juggle everything, so
we want to help them by providing useful materials, information,
activities that support their little ones development.
Developing a sense of exploration is an important aspect of a
toddlers development and that impacts their inclination and desire
to explore and try new foods. We aim to inspire mums and little
ones to have the confidence to try and experiment with food and
at Organix we provide tasty and nutritious foods - free of junk, salt
and added sugar - to support their parents in this journey.
Explore with Goodies explorer packs, the explore tour and much
more
The Goodies explore campaign is designed to provide support to
parents to help their little ones explore food and the world around
them. Theres a hub on the Organix website bursting with activities
for little ones, including a your own activity section with top tips
and advice on how to grow your own herb garden. The new
Goodies explorers pack is full of fun and imaginative ideas for
parents to help your little explorers learn about the food and the
world around them. From imaginative games and storytelling, to
trying new foods, making food together and getting closer to nature.
Each pack contains a wall chart and stickers to record and reward
their adventures, a special explorer badge, seeds to grow their own
food and much more. Look out for the special Goodies on pack
promotion on selected foods in store from mid June 2014 and if you
come to one of our explore tour events you could get an exclusive
Goodies explorer tin. The Goodies explore tour will take to the road
from the end of May and will feature a range of fun activities for
little explorers at various festivals, events and supermarkets across
the UK.
To find out more and download fun activity sheets visit:
www.organix.com/explore
Family Focus
Exploring Outside Beats Modern Technology
For Todays Toddlers
The British Airborne Allergy Report.
A recent report by The British Airborne Allergy Foundation
shows that a staggering 66% of parents whose children suffer
from hay fever, claim it has damaged their childhoods, prevent-
ing 13% of them from going to school and 9% of them struggling
to leave the house during summer.
The report further states that 46% of adult sufferers have
missed out on major life events like weddings because of hay
fever (British Airborne Allergy Report was commissioned by air
purification specialists Fellowes).
Below are some suggestions from Dr Sarah Brewer on how to
help reduce hayfever symptoms in the home.
Dr Sarah Brewer says:
Hayfever symptoms occur when pollen released by plants
becomes airborne and inhaled. In those who are sensitive to
pollen, the immune system responds by releasing chemicals
into the nasal passages, airways and eyes to fight the invading
particles. This results in symptoms that include sneezing,
blocked and stuffy nose, watery, itchy eyes and generally feeling
unwell. Not only does this prevent sufferers from enjoying
outdoor activities that we spend all winter looking forward to,
but in extreme cases it can affect sleep, concentration during
school and the ability to carry out everyday tasks.
Dr Sarahs tips to reduce hayfever symptoms in the home:
1. Start your childs treatment as soon as they get up the
morning, to prepare their system for the day ahead.
2. Get advice from your pharmacist or GP on what
products to use, according to the severity of your childs
symptoms, some antihistamines are not recommended
for children so its essential that you get the correct
advice.
3. If using a nasal spray, make sure they tip their heads
forward, look down, insert the nozzle and spray towards
the outside of the nose to ensure maximum
effectiveness.
4. Children have long and tiring days at school, so dont
add to the fatigue by using a sedating antihistamine
which promotes drowsiness. Look for products they
only have to take once a day, and which clearly state
that they are non-drowsy.
5. I recommend also using Strimar Nasal Hygiene in
conjunction with your medication. Made from 100%
natural sea water, it not only washes away the allergens
from the nose, to effectively relieve symptoms, but also
helps to restore the noses natural functions. This
ensures the first line of defence is in top working
condition to filter and trap allergens effectively, and
reduce the risk of allergic reactions and chronic
conditions developing. Strimar is safe to be used on
children 3 months plus, during pregnancy or where the
choice of medication may be restricted. It has also been
awarded the Allergy UK Allergy Friendly product
Award. Available from Boots, and most pharmacies
across the UK in 100ml (RRP 7.49) and a handy 50ml
size (RRP 4.07) available from pharmacies. For more
information, please visit www.Sterimarnasal.co.uk
6. Keep an eye on pollen forecasts and take extra care if
the pollen count is high. You can keep track of the pollen
count on websites such as:
www.metoffice.gov.uk/health/public/pollenforecast
7. Invest in an air purifier, which can help to trap any
pollen that manages to get into the room in which you
are studying. AeraMaxs range of air purifiers are
scientifically proven to remove more than 99 per cent
of harmful indoor airborne particles - like pollen - to
make breathing easier and reduce symptoms. Prices
range from 147.07 upwards and for more information
visit www.fellowes.com
8. Wraparound sunglasses are useful to help stop pollen
getting blown into their eyes by the wind.
9. Reduce the amount of pollen in the house as much as
possible by ensuring that all windows and doors are
firmly shut. After going outdoors, it is a good idea to
wash the clothes they were wearing to stop
contamination of the house.
10. Antihistamines can dehydrate the children, so make
sure they drink plenty of water throughout the day.
For more information or advice, please visit:
http://www.allergyuk.org/
http://www.fellowes.com
65% of parents claim hay fever is ruining child's lives
Family Focus
65% of parents unaware of new changes to share parental
leave
84% of parents would not take up the offer of Shared
Parental Leave
15% of employers have a clear idea of how they will
implement new provision for their staff
New research has revealed that many parents across the UK are
totally unaware of and confused by new legislation being
introduced in April next year enabling mothers and fathers to
share parental leave. In a survey of 1,000 parents for Good Care
Guide, the TripAdvisor style website for the care industry, two
thirds (65%) of parents said they were unaware of the changes
being introduced in 2015.
Of those that did know about the Shared Parental Leave (SPL)
changes, many were confused about the implications. Nearly half
of parents (43%) were under the misconception that parents will
have equal rights, when in reality it will be up to the mother or
primary adopter to sign off.
41% were correct in thinking that SPL means that parents will be
able to split Parental Leave equally between them while one in
ten thought that parents will be able to access the same levels of
parental leave pay, when in reality it will depend on what each
company will offer.
84% of parents have said that the new SPL legislation will not (or
would not have for parents of children over the age of one) make
any difference to how they take leave after their baby is or was
born.
Despite this, 65% of parents said that they would jump at the
chance to have two to five years off work in order to raise their
family if it was an option offered by employers.
Jennifer Liston-Smith, Director of Coaching & Consultancy at My
Family Care, the company that provides childcare support to
businesses across the country says: Our research shows that the
majority of parents are very unsure about the Shared Parental
Leave changes, with a large chunk of people not even knowing
about them altogether. This highlights a need to educate parents-
to-be about their options choices that they have never had to
quite this degree in the past, enabling women to spend more time
at work while their partner takes on the childcare role.
This research comes just two weeks after a survey from My Family
Care and Hogan Lovells revealed that a mere 15 per cent of
employers had a clear idea of how they will implement the new
provision for their staff who are parents.
It found that the biggest concern for employers is around the
amount of internal administrative changes the legislation will
create, while companies also revealed anxieties over managing
resources during shorter, potentially more flexible periods of leave
and communicating the changes to staff.
Ms Liston-Smith added: Despite these understandable concerns,
we have found that the majority of companies we are working
with have welcomed the idea of SPL to support their staff and
family-friendly policies, and also as providing more talent
retention choices for those women who are significant or main
bread-winners within families. However, its important that
everyone understands the implications of the new legislation for
families and businesses and our research shows there is a clear
need for more education by the Government. There are solid plans
in place to inform employers but it seems the public wants to
know more too; and sooner rather than later.
To help businesses confused about the changes in SPL, My Family
Care, with the support of Hogan Lovells, have created a
downloadable Shared Parental Leave: HR Resources Pack
providing information and advice to HR departments with
questions over what the changes mean to them.
The guide includes:
Advice on how companies can get to grips with SPL
Bringing SPL to life a case study with model answers
Thoughts from industry experts on the implications of SPL for
business and gender equality
Access to HR and Diversity webinars
Please note that at 12:30 on Thursday the 19th of June, 2014, My
Family Care will be joined by legal experts and leading employers
to present a Webinar for HR and Diversity professionals called
Shared Parental Leave: Nine Months and Counting.
The Webinar is free and you can register here:
https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/202765743
For more information, please contact:
https://www.myfamilycare.co.uk/
http://www.goodcareguide.co.uk/
Family Focus
Shared Parental Leave: Parents unaware of changes and reluctant to
take up Governments offer
This month has been an interesting one. We started with our new venue of Karens Kitchen at St Lukes Church for our Social Media
Friday meeting!!!! The last Friday of the month I am there with my boys ready with great coffee and, thank god, gluten free cake
that tastes of real cake (!!!) for us all to discuss our uses of social media within our work, and for me to help anyone that might
need it with some tips and bits and bobs for a relaxing session whilst the kids do their thing.
As usual we were dictated to by what the kids wanted but thankfully Karen has a selection of food that the kids love so they just
had to say a very polite please to our good lady and they were happy too. Having our elder children with us too for half term was
actually really nice as the older ones were making friends too. All in all a great start.
We mainly got down to twitter business as for some reason this seems to confound most people. I find that a lot with everyone I
meet that they either love it or they cant get their heads round it. This of course I find fascinating as I do love a bit of twitter and
use it a lot. What I say to everyone is to give yourself a week to get used to it. If you use it every day and do certain things with it
every day you will slowly start to enjoying and learn its ways. Its a grower, but its great.
I do love it when we all get involved. Its nice when we all chat and help each other out. Sometimes I find that people come to
meetings and the like, and look to me to tell them all of the answers. I dont always know, but coming to meetings is about
connecting with other people and learning from their experiences too. Thats how we get to know each other and make friends
ideally. I love it when I see that other people have suddenly struck up friendships that they met at our meetings and I feel (maybe
selfishly) that I helped that happen in a tiny way. And to be honest I like that. It can be so hard to meet friends that are in a similar
situation as you, where I feel at The Buggy Network we have a bond that we cant find with the mums at school. I really love that
aspect of our meetings too. I find that we are bonding a lot more and where I used to have to really control the meetings, I only
really do that when we have new people there. We do generally flow with business conversations and we all get a chance organically
to speak its networking in the most relaxed way.
But what next. What have you all been doing?
Its looks like for some its been a hard month. There are strange things going on in the atmosphere I think as for some of us we are
not having the best time. Its difficult as when the ***t hits the fan we retreat but what we should be doing is ganging up and
joining forces. Some of our families are doing exactly that thankfully! Its a great thing to see people joining together to help each
other when times are really hard and we bond even more with our honesty and compassion. In some ways we are all in the same
position, working for ourselves as well as having children. But I think its our entrepreneurial needs that bring us closer. Its not just
about the kids its about our need to succeed! We all want to make sure our children have the best that we can, but when our pride
is threatened as well, lets face it our need to be good at something can get in the way and leave us devastated!!! But we can rise
again. Sometimes we really do need to go all of the way to hell just to be able to claw our way back and do it ourselves. It sounds
TERRIBLE and it is but it will be ok. We really will. Part of that is that you have a network of people rooting for you. Im not saying
that The Buggy Network will change your life, not at all. But sometimes just having the right friends will and I hope that for us that
are with the network we do find that here. I personally find that comforting every day.
The Buggy Network
Not just for business but for finding business buddies.
Business Focus
For more information, details of next
events or to join up, please visit:
www.thebuggynetwork.com
Home & Furnishings
About indigo & rose
After a successful career in fashion design, Jane Wilkinson has turned her expertise to gifts and homeware with the creation of indigo and rose,
an inspired collection combining the new and the nostalgic. Jane undertakes the entire process herself, from creating exclusive designs and
sourcing classic textiles to running the website. From cute lambswool dogs and lavender owls to the softest woollen throws and vintage fabric
furnishings, many items in the indigo and rose collection are handmade from an eclectic mix of heritage and vintage textiles, reworked with
a touch of originality. Yorkshire woven wools, vintage Liberty and Sanderson florals plus mattress ticking stripes form the basis of the range.
The collection boasts an array of homeware products including lampshades and cushions, created with the finest linens and decorated with
retro florals and vintage cherub prints, designed to complement both contemporary and classic surroundings. A selection of gifts is also
available. Choose from sumptuously soft scarves to lovingly crafted lavender hearts. indigo and rose is exclusively available from the Craft
Coop Pop Up Shop in Maidenhead, and the House and Garden Spirit of Christmas Fair at London, Olympia. Whether you seek inspiration for
your home or simply want a unique gift, indigo and rose delivers the perfect solution.
At Baby Buzz Magazine we love searching for new products, themes and ideas to show how to make the most of your childs space and creating
a warm, playful and inviting atmosphere. We kicked started our Home & Furnishings section with the wonderful Room to Grow and we wanted
to follow up with something a little more unusual but offering beautiful products suited to you and your family. indigo and rose have a variety
of products suited to the home but they have a special section called Little indigo and rose, which is what we have focused on this month.
Knitted Bunny - 28.00
Knitted Bunny in pure wool
Cloud Cushion - 19.00
Cloud Cushion in soft cotton fleece
Spot Baby Blanket - 29.00
Organic Cotton Spot Baby Blanket with
Embroidered Bird
Sheep Baby Blanket - 27.00
Sheep Baby Blanket in soft cotton
fleece
Cloud Baby Blanket - 35.00
Cloud Baby Blanket in cotton fleece
Bird in Tree Baby Blanket - 35.00
Bird in Tree Baby Blanket in organic
cotton
www.indigoandrose.co.uk
The Baby Buzz Get Growing Challenge 2014
We are extremely privileged to be joined by Cbeebies Mr Bloom and renowned
gardening consultant , Dawn Isaac for the Baby Buzz Get Growing Guide for 2014!
Growing your own fruit and vegetables is such a great family
activity that gets everyone involved and provides you with an
edible end result - which gives you such a rewarding feeling!
Growing your own doesnt have to be expensive and you can
cultivate your own seeds if you do a little bit of research. Most
vegetables will have seeds that you can keep, dry out and in turn
sow when the time is right. Why not give it a go and send in your
photos to feature in future issues and online. If you are a novice
at growing you own , there are so many websites giving you tips
and suggestions and if you visit Suttons website they have a
Vegetable Garden Planner that suits all types of outdoor spaces
from allotments to pots and gardens to grow bags. Why not get
your school involved too? Suttons have a new online gardening
store aimed at helping schools (primary and junior) to introduce
the joy of gardening across the whole school community. To
register your school or for more information, please visit:
www.littlegreensprouts.co.uk
We have tomatoes!! Okay there are only four, but thats a great
start for me! The weather, on the whole, has been great with a
little flooding here and there but otherwise glorious sunshine
which the veggies seem to be loving! Weve had a small handful
of strawberries and an abundance of of peas which have been
pretty much eaten straight from the various plants! I cant wait
for all the tomatoes to start getting ripe - as we have a lot of plants
I think we may be eating tomatoes with every meal! Happy times.
MONTH FOUR: WE HAVE LIFT OFF!
The Baby Buzz Get Growing Challenge 2014
That's it. I'm calling it. Summer is officially here. Not only that but the days are
as long as they get so it's the perfect time to make the most of your garden. Just
don't forger the sun hat and sun cream.
Here are my top ten things to do outside in June and July:
1. Take a thin but strong twig and thread on all sorts of soft fruits, seed heads,
flowers and foliage to create your own flower fairy;
2. Save your favourite blooms by pressing them - you can use a special flower
press or make your own by placing petals, flowers or leaves between layers
of plain paper or newspaper and then sandwiching this between heavy books
for a couple of weeks;
3. Sowwinter salad leaves outside such as rocket, mizuna and kale so you have
something lovely to pick later in the year;
4. Make sure you harvest your courgettes before they become marrows;
5. Use garden finds such as twigs, grass, stones, feathers and flowers placed on
a board or table top to make an outdoor collage;
6. Use craft scissors to take off old flower heads this dead heading will
encourage the plant to produce more blooms;
7. Place an old sheet over a clothes horse and create a pretend outdoor camp;
8. Try drying your own herbs by hanging them somewhere airy and warm;
9. Find a clear and sunny spot, mark a point somewhere in the middle with
stones or an old tile and stand on this at each hour. If you use another stone
to mark where the top of your shadow each time, you can create your own
human sundial;
10. Harvest nasturtium and pot marigold flowers, as well as purple and green
lettuce leaves to make a multi-coloured summer salad.
Dawn Isaac is a garden designer, writer and mother
of three. Her most recent book is 101 Things For Kids
To Do Outside published by Kyle Books (RRP 14.99)
and you can follow her blog about gardening with
children at www.littegreenfingers.com.
The 16-20 June 2014 sees the yearly launch of Food Standards Agency
National Food Safety Week. As parents it is more important than ever
that you prepare your babies & childrens food safely to prevent any risk
of illness. Under 5s are at particular risk from food poisoning as their
immune systems are not yet fully developed, although following food
safety advice will help prevent the whole family from getting ill. This year
the message of the campaign is Not washing Raw Chicken. Washing raw
chicken is something that lots of people do, either for cultural reasons,
habit or just because its what they have seen their own mother do. But
the truth is, there is no benefit in washing raw meats. In fact it probably
does more harm than good. Washing chicken can cause contaminated
water to be splashed around on to other surfaces, other food, your skin,
your clothing and equipment which can lead to serious illness.
Raw chicken naturally contains food poisoning bacteria such salmonella
and campylobacter. Campylobacter is the most common cause of food
poisoning in the UK. It can last up to 10 days, although the typical
symptoms last between 2 and 5 days. Campylobacter infection can be
particularly severe in small children and adults over 60. Campylobacter
poisoning usually develops a few days after consuming contaminated food
and leads to symptoms that include:
abdominal pain,
severe diarrhoea
vomiting ( but not in all cases)
So how can you help to protect your family against food poisoning?
Avoiding Cross Contamination
Stop washing raw chicken to avoid cross contamination
Cross contamination occurs when harmful germs such as
campylobacter are spread between food, surfaces and
equipment.
Help to prevent this by removing clutter that you dont need
and washing worktops before and after food preparation.
Chilling
Store raw chicken and other raw meats at the bottom of the
fridge and properly wrap or cover it to avoid raw juices
contaminating other foods.
Makesurethefridgetemperatureisrunningatorbelow5 C.
Dont overfill your fridge. This will allow air to circulate and
maintains the set temperature.
Cleaning
Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water before
preparing and after handling raw food such as chicken.
Thoroughly wash and clean all utensils, chopping boards and
surfaces used to prepare raw chicken. Use an antibacterial spray
to disinfect surfaces
Always use a chopping board. Wash the board and other utensils
in hot, soapy water when youve finished using them and in
between preparing raw foods such as chicken and ready-to-eat
food. Consider using separate chopping boards for raw and
ready-to-eat food.
Wash or change dish cloths, tea towels and sponges regularly
and let them dry before you use them again. Dirty, damp cloths
are the perfect place for bacteria to breed.
Cooking chicken thoroughly
Cook chicken thoroughly until it is steaming hot in the middle
and the juices run clear. This will kill any harmful bacteria that
may be present.
Watch out for #playingchicken & #FSW2014 on twitter and facebook
during Food Safety Week and join in the chat!. For further advice on food
safety refer to the Food Standards Agency website www.food.gov.uk
Food, Recipes & Advice
National Food Safety Week - Keeping it safe for your family!
Food, Recipes & Reviews
Entertaining at home is a lovely thing to do especially in the summer
when you can spill out into the garden. Its informal, great for kids and
with some preparation and choosing the right food you as the host will
be able to enjoy it too. Adam Neale executive chef for Boulevard Events
shares with us his tips for party food that is simple and delicious with a
bit of a wow factor.
Adams Top Tips
Prepare as much in advance as possible.
Dont cut corners with home made dressings - they are quick
and easy to make and transform the taste of a simple salad
(see the french dressing recipe) and are light years away in
taste from ready made versions.
Don't overcomplicate salads - mixed leaves, some cherry
tomatoes and red onion work beautifully.
Keep it simple do what you are good at. What is your signature
dish? You dont want to be slaving away in the kitchen and
miss the party.
Bright and colourful. Think about how you would garnish your
dishes. Herbs are a great way to finish a dish with flavour and
also a touch of elegance.
To bring out the best flavours when preparing your dishes
think about the base ingredients, how fresh and where they
are from too (use seasonal theyre more likely to be local).
Try layering of flavours for example for a delicious white wine
sauce;
First layer onions garlic parsley stalks, secondlayer white wine
third layer chicken stock, fourth layer double cream; fifth
layer lemon juice and salt and pepper. By layering you get
the best flavours at the end.
Try and be clinical when you are cooking. There are many
websites that can tell you what temperature to take meats
and fish to so they are at their best when served. Buy a probe
which will help you to do this.
Get to know your oven. All ovens work differently and have
hot areas and cooler areas. Work out which are which and this
will help you to create mouth watering and wonderful dishes.
Fool-proof French Dressing
3 tbsp of good quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 tbsp white wine vinegar
1/4 of a teaspoon of ready made English mustard
1 clove of garlic crushed
salt
ground black pepper
pinch or two of sugar
Combine all the ingredients and add to the salad just before serving
Salmon & Superfood Avocado Salad
Marinate salmon portions in garlic, lemon, chervil and olive oil.
Roast skin side up in the oven on 100C for 1 hour
While its cooking prepare the superfood salad
Slice in whichever quantities you wish; tomatoes, onions, avocado
Mix in; watercress and sunflower seeds
Drizzle; sesame oil, extra virgin olive oil lemon juice
Season with; sea salt and cracked black pepper.
Place the salmon on top of the salad
Dress the plate with cubes of beetroot and edible flowers for extra
wow!
Perfect Sparkling Summer Punch
Keeping the drinks options simple is a good bet our summer punch
and some fizz always makes things feel special.
4 parts orange juice
2 parts vodka
2 parts champagne (or sparkling wine)
2 parts lemonade
Sliced strawberries, orange, cucumber
Adam Neale is Executive Chef at Boulevard Events.
For more information, please contact:
www.boulevardevents.co.uk or Tel: 0208 533 3341
The Rose & Crown
Combining history with character and modern cuisine!
The Rose & Crown is one of those hidden gems that you really want to
be the one to say I found it first. Not sure I can stake that claim just
yet, but Im working on it! I have to confess that I was a little dismayed
reading some of the reviews and comments and at first was a little
unsure that perhaps this place was suitable at all for me or my readers.
After delving a little further into the history I learnt that the Rose &
Crown was once owned by the grandparents of Dick Turpin and rumour
has it that he once used the pub as a secret hideout. The Rose & Crown
has been taken over recently by new management and has a new chef
so I decided to see if anything had improved from the negativity
previously experienced by others.
Being situated at the hollow between Whitewebbs Park and Hilly Fields
means there are fields to explore, parks to roam and adventure trails
to be discovered and you can use the Rose & Crown as a starting or
finishing point. First impressions are good, the outside has clearly had
a spruce up and looks fresh and inviting. Once inside you are
overwhelmed by the character features, the ambience and admittedly
it does look a little tired on the dcor front, but this is easily forgotten.
There are little nooks and crannies everywhere with adequate seating
for either the casual drinker, the tourist, the family or the diner. The
staff are helpful, warm and welcoming and I started off the review by
speaking to both the chef Dave and also to Mark who manages the pub.
Both are hugely optimistic about which direction they want the pub to
go in and Mark has fantastic ideas as to what he would like to do to
improve the dcor and make it more inviting to new customers (not
that this should put you off, I will definitely be coming here again and
soon!). One of the many reasons I wanted to review the Rose & Crown
was because of the negative comments made about the food and not
being known as family friendly. Let me start by dispelling both! Not
only is there ample space for families away from perhaps rowdy
individuals but there is an outside seating area and adequate seating
for dining as well. The menu changes on a predominantly daily basis
but the basic staples which are firm favourites with regulars tend to stay
put. For my review I had a taster session to experience as many options
as possible (not being greedy honestly..) and I wasnt disappointed! The
starters consisted of Grilled Halloumi, a shot
of sweet red pepper dip, crispy spiced chicken
wings, king prawns with diced pancetta and
fried bread bruschetta with cherry tomatoes,
garlic and herbs. Let me say on record the
taster plate should be an option on the menu
- it was to die for, give the diner a taste of everything! The prawns were
the juiciest, plumpest prawns Ive had and the pancetta was a divine
accompaniment, whilst the Halloumi had been grilled with just enough
of a bite and went perfectly with the shot of red pepper dip! I could and
should have finished the entire plate but at least I know what to order
when I go back! The main course was just as good and for some food,
which I used to think I didnt care for too much, I found myself enjoying
everything wholeheartedly! The sea bass was incredible and served on
a bed of Mediterranean vegetable with a small round of rice and
anchovies. This was seasoned beautifully and fell apart, I hadnt
expected the anchovies to work well, being fish with fish, but it jut gave
it the edge it needed. The most surprising thing on the plate was the
Goats Cheese served with finely sliced beetroot on top of fried bread.
The flavours of the goats cheese with the sweetness of the beetroot
and exquisite and the fried bread is that guilty pleasure you just want
more of! After devouring this I had a taster portion of the beef cooked
in a rich red wine sauce and served in a giant Yorkshire pudding, the
taste was rich and velvety and seasoned perfectly, my one little criticism
is that the Yorkie was bought and not made - if you can create perfection
in every other dish, do the same with the Yorkshire pudding! I cant
even begin to tell you about dessert (yes I made room!!) A gorgeous
vanilla ice-cream served with a strawberry sauce and crushed meringue
on top, warm, thick waffles with a rich toffee sauce, strawberries sliced
finely and served with a coulis and little cubes of jelly made from
cranberry and vodka - (oh my god this was the icing or should I say jelly
on the plate!) Finally, and believe me I ate the lot, the apple crumble
was the most amazing finale I could have asked for. With a perfect
pastry base, thick chunky apples and topped with the finest buttery
crumble, I couldnt fault any part of it! Overall, I had a fabulous meal
that cost considerably less than any 5* establishment, the staff were
amazing, friendly and couldnt have been more helpful. An absolute
must for all my readers whether taking their family or their friends!
185 Clay Hill, London EN2 9AJ
020 8366 0864
Foodie parents have long
suffered a drastic change
in their dining habits
once their little ones
arrive swapping nigiri
for nuggets and chorizo
for chips. However, the
end is in sight as the
cream of UK restaurants are extending their menus to cater for the
future foodie generation. To save parents from succumbing to a fast
food outlet or a multi-coloured chain, leading online restaurant booking
service OpenTable has compiled their pick of foodie restaurants that
now offer food and entertainment for even the tiniest of tummies.
OpenTable can also reveal that several of these high-end eateries are
also increasingly being asked to plate up miniature versions of their
existing menus. In addition to a high quality kids menu, chefs are
dishing up small versions of the parents orders for many kids, the
spicier and more adventurous the better! Lucy Taylor, Head of UK
Restaurant Relations, OpenTable. If youre looking for somewhere to
take the kids, here are OpenTables pick for some of the best UK
restaurants that are guaranteed to impress the whole family:
Hix Soho | London
Kids under 10 eat free at select times and there is a monthly Art and
Food club drawing competition in addition to superb options for the
little ones
Bread Street Kitchen | London
Offers kids menu with high quality, grown-up ingredients (think
crushed not mushy peas)
The Dirty Habit | Kent
Menu for kids who like good food. Moroccan lamb burger gets a
special mention
The Savoy Grill | London
Elegant atmosphere which welcomes kids childrens menu comes
highly recommended
Pizza East | London (various locations)
Quality, interesting pizzas for all the family
River Cottage | Axminster
Interactive experience that teaches kids about philosophy, provenance
and preparation of their food
Inamo | London
The interactive ordering system projected onto the tables is sure to
please techie teenagers
The Rosendale | London
Kids free to explore the sunny garden complete with climbing frame,
playhouse and ride-on cars
The Plough at Harbone | Birmingham
Kids will love the colouring sheets that accompany the menu
Contini | Edinburgh
Family owned Italian in the heart of Edinburgh with different portion
sizes available for the kids
We had the opportunity of reviewing
one of the venues listed, The
Rosendale in West Dulwich. Our first
impressions were a little dubious, located in a highly residential area
with really not much around. The pub itself exudes charm and provides
a warm, welcoming atmosphere. The Rosendale is spacious inside and
out and boasts a generous play area for the children, which it is known
for especially during the summer months. The menu appears simple
but glancing over the specific options you will see the precision in
ingredients sought to create each dish but I will go into that shortly.
The childrens menu is what you would
expect with pizza, fish fingers, beefburgers
and chicken nuggets but thats just about
where the similarity ends. Each option is
homemade with quality British sought
ingredients and the fish fingers, which I
ordered for my three year old, were
devoured within record time and tasted
wonderful. The main menu which my older
daughter Mia and I chose from was just as
impressive. Having ordered the Oxsprings
ham, Laverstoke Park Farm buffalo
mozzarella, rocket, oil and balsamic I was
expecting a simple classic dish but by far this
was the best mozzarella with the most
delicate of flavours and finest ham I think
Ive had to date! My daughter ordered the
calamari which had a fine batter but lacked
in seasoning and felt a little overpowered
by the aioli. Our main courses soon
followed with fish and chips for Mia and one
of the specials of the day Steak and
Mushroom Pie with Chips and gravy. The
fish and chips were huge and great value
with generous portion sizes, seasoned to
perfection this was extremely tasty and
thoroughly enjoyed! The steak pie was
delicious, if not a little on the salty side, but
it was packed to the brim with tender
pieces of steak and a rich sauce. The
home-made pastry was a little thick on top
and so a little undercooked in places but
the crunch to the top and the seasoning
again was just yummy! Following on from
this was the pudding and the girls both had cupcakes which they could
decorate themselves. I have to say we were seriously impressed that
the cupcakes were huge and made freshly so served still warm with a
plate full of decorations. I had the Lemon Meringue Pie which had a
superb base topped with a light Italian meringue and I could have eaten
at least two (but that would have just been greedy!). Overall good value
for tasty food and a good selection of wines and award winning ales.
Ill have the lobster Rise in high-end, child friendly dining opens
the way for children to experience the food their parents adore!
Top Asian food brand, Amoy, announces leading Chef Ching He
Huang as its new brand partner. TV chef, Ching has created a range
of deliciously quick and easy Amoyzing Meals in a Minute -
inspiring recipes using a selection of great tasting Amoy products.
The collection of recipes offers a simple and convenient way to bring
modern flavours of Asia to kitchens across the UK in a matter of
minutes, giving time-poor cooks a wide range of midweek meal
options that are quick and easy to prepare. From Thai classics such
as Chicken Pad Thai to Chinese dishes like Cantonese Beef and Black
Bean Noodles, the Amoyzing Meals in a Minute recipe collection
offers a wide range of dishes to suit every taste. Commenting on
the launch of the Amoyzing Meals in a Minute recipe collection,
Ching He Huang said: Imdelighted to be workingwith Amoy and
reveal the recipes Ive created using their
delicious, high quality, variety of products. Asian cuisine provides
some of the UKs favourite dishes, so its fantastic to be able to share
my recipe ideas with households across the nation, and to help
themcreate the authentic taste of Asia in a matter of minutes.
All of the recipes are very tasty, quick and straightforward, and
theres something on offer for everyone. Plus, with the help of the
new Amoy products, creating delicious Asian food for all the family
has never been easier!
As well as the recipe collection, Amoy is also launching a range of
delicious new products, which include quick, convenient Easy Meal
Kits and Stir Fry Soy sauces. The new Easy Meal kits will
revolutionise how you cook midweek. From Malaysian Laksa and
Nasi Goreng, to Thai Green Curry and Thai Red Curry, the new
selection of four Easy Meal Kits make whipping up authentic Asian
cuisine easier than ever. The kits contain everything needed to make
a mouth-watering meal in minutes; just add meat, fish or vegetables
as preferred.
Amoy is also launching a range of Stir Fry Soy sauces; Red Chilli,
Lemongrass and Kaffir Lime, and Garlic and Chinese Five Spice, all
of which have been especially created to add an extra injection of
flavour and a tasty twist to liven up your midweek stir-fry.
For more information and to check out Ching He Huangs Amoyzing
Meals in a Minute recipes, visit www.amoy.co.uk
Ingredients:
Amoy Malaysian Laksa Easy Meal Kit
200g cooked and ready to eat black
tiger prawns
(Alternatively you can use thinly-sliced
chicken breast)
100g green beans, halved
1 large red pepper, diced
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Method:
1. Cook the rice noodles in boiling water for 8 minutes, stirring
occasionally, then drain and rinse in cold water
2. Meanwhile, stir fry the green beans and pepper for 5 minutes
in vegetable oil.
3. Add prawns (or chicken) and stir fry at high heat for 2-3 minutes
until fully cooked.
4. Cover with laksa paste and stir fry for 1 minute
5. Add coconut milk and the garlic and pepper seasoning and
simmer for 3 minutes.
6. Stir the cooked noodles into the sauce and serve piping hot.
AMOY UNVEILS CHING HE HUANG AS NEW BRAND PARTNER AND
FACE OF NEW AMOYZING MEALS IN A MINUTE
Malaysian Laksa Easy Meal Kit - Recipe
Laksa is an iconic street food served by vendor throughout
Malaysia. This spicy noodle dish is quickly gaining popularity
outside of Southeast Asia because of its scrumptious taste.
: 2 people : 10 minutes
: 5 minutes
For more information, please visit: www.amoy.co.uk
Travel
Two thirds (68%) of schoolchildren
in the UK havent visited any London
attractions for at least 5 years
according to research released
today. The study, which questioned
1,000 parents across the UK also
found that 34% of these families
have never enjoyed a day out in the
capital city.
These findings come in spite of the
research highlighting that almost three quarters of parents (73%)
believe that it is important for young people to see the history and
culture of London as part of their education. Only 16% of parents
have taken their children to the capital city in the past 12 months,
a figure made the more surprising by recent figures showing
London is enjoying unprecedented numbers of international
visitors, with 16.8m people visiting from overseas during 2013.
The research, commissioned by the Leisure Pass Group, calculated
that the average UK schoolchild last visited the capital in November
2010, meaning that large numbers of schoolchildren wont have
experienced how the city has evolved through hosting the 2012
Olympic Games.
Across the English regions, parents in the North West are the most
reluctant to visit the capital with 44% admitting they have never
taken their children. Reluctance isnt limited to the North of the
country however, with 1 in 3 parents in the Midlands (31%)
admitting to having never made the comparatively short trip.
Young parents (25-34) across the UK place the most emphasis on
visiting, with 77% believing it is key to a childs development. Of
those who travel from out of town, parents from the South East
and East Anglia are most likely to tick off the highest number of
locations, with 47% and 43% of parents saying their children have
visited at least 5 London tourist attractions.
Amanda Truman, spokesperson for Leisure Pass Group said of the
findings, London is a leading global city that is welcoming
unprecedented numbers of international visitors. This study does
however show that a large proportion of UK families havent visited
the capital for over three years, with some having never been at
all.
UK parents clearly still think it is important that children see the
capital as part of their childhood and we want to assist them in
helping their children to do just this. Products like our London Pass
offer families the chance to find out more about Londons history
and visit a number of different attractions in a single day trip,
offering savings on admission if they clock up just three locations.
It is our hope that during half-term and the upcoming summer
holidays, parents across the UK will take the opportunity to
reconnect with our great capital city and enjoy some of the
countless sights and sounds it has to offer
More information on the London Pass can be found
at http://www.londonpass.com
TWO-THIRDS OF UK CHILDREN HAVENT
VISITED THE CAPITAL IN FIVE YEARS
Research highlights lack of UK families visiting London as
record numbers of international tourists flock to capital city
One and half million children travelled either accompanied or
alone in 2013, and to cater for its family passengers, Air France
is now offering enhanced services for children travelling both
accompanied and unaccompanied; fun, new products for younger
travellers; and a world-exclusive travel insurance offer for
unaccompanied travelling minors.
Travel designed with family in mind Air France Kids
Air Frances Kids features several new products and services for
2014, including:
- A colouring book for younger passengers, designed by
Air France staff
- More youth magazines available on digital tablets
- Air France flight certificates for a childs first flight, or on
their birthday
- A Kids Zone in the Business Class lounge of Terminal 2
Hall M throughout the summer, complete with board
games, magazines, and SONY games consoles
Special attention for little ones before, during, and after their
flight Air France Kids Solo
Air France has set up a variety of partnerships to offer young
travellers more entertainment options at its airports than ever
before, keeping them occupied when waiting for their flight.
Starting this summer, Kids Solo Lounges at Paris-Orly and Paris-
Charles De Gaulle will feature several games consoles courtesy of
the airlines partnership with SONY, allowing young guests to play
on PS3 and PS Vita consoles.
Enhanced peace of mind unaccompanied minors insurance
offer with Mondial Assurance
Air France is the first company to offer unaccompanied minors
insurance, in partnership with Mondial Assurance. The policy offers:
- Guaranteed delivery of key items such as a favourite toy
or prescription medications, to the holiday location
- An information and medical advice helpline available for
the duration of the childs stay
- A cash advance where necessary, given with parental
consent, for the childs use
- 10 hours of educational support per week*
- By the end of 2014, Air France will also have rolled out
their Kids Solo policy of sending a text message to con-
firm the aircrafts take-off to the person accompanying
the child to the airport, and also to the person waiting
for the child on the flights arrival
For more information and to book, visit www.airfrance.co.uk
Air France presents Kids and
Kids Solo - a free, enhanced
offer for all the family
Travel
MEMORIES CHILDREN WILL CHERISH FOREVER
at Capella Marigot Bay Resort & Marina, Saint Lucia
Located on the sheltered west coast of Saint Lucia the 127 bedroom
resort is set amongst the local rainforest and boasts stretching views
out over the breath-taking bay. One of the only safe havens for super
yachts on the island, Capellas very own marina and shopping village is
leading the way in the luxury yachting world.
The property features:
Spa Village with double treatment pods and rainforest
showers surrounded by private Zen water gardens;
Infinity swimming pool overlooking the bay with swim up
bar and water sun loungers;
Show kitchen and restaurant focusing on fresh local produce
from the island;
Rum Cave tucked away under the resort ready for guests to
mix, taste and learn about the local delicacy
Marina Village with local artisan shops, restaurants and
galleries all showcasing local talent.
Reminisce on the days when you were a child; the carefree, adrenaline
fuelled laughter memories with your family and loved ones. Capella
Marigot Bay Resort & Marina opens its doors in July 2014 and is the
latest luxury addition to the Saint Lucian hotel portfolio and the newest
member of the Capella Hotels & Resorts brand. This luxurious new hotel
is giving you the exclusive opportunity to live them all over again, with
your own children, forming your childrens future memories.
Children may be small in size, but there is as much time and attention
placed on creating the most perfect childrens activities, as there is spent
on creating the perfect holiday for adult s at Capella Marigot Bay Resort
& Marina.
From July 2014 onwards, the new kids activities include; navigating
the seas at Captain Jacks Nautical Sailing Academy, cook up a tropical
treat in the Capella Jnr. Top Chef Programme, transform into a little
beach monster in the Capella Cookie Monster Programme, catch a
delicacy under the supervision of the Marigot Bay Youth Anglers
Academy, go green at the Jnr. Master Gardener Programme. There is
an activity for every child at Capella Marigot Bay Resort & Marina.
The childrens activities available to guests have been carefully thought
of, ensuring that there is something for every family, accommodating
all tastes. One thing to be certain of, activities allow families the chance
to spend precious, quality time together, whilst serving the kids with a
plate of action-packed, adrenaline pumped, continuous fun. But fear
not, Capella Marigot Bay believe in rewarding parents with a little down
time, alone. Parents have full access to the Spa whilst the kids are being
well-cared for by trained professionals.
Regardless of age and interests, your children will most definitely find
an activity to keep them entertained, so the challenge is this; how many
activities can one family pack into one luxurious family holiday at Capella
Marigot Bay Resort & Marina?
For more information on Capella Marigot Bay Saint Lucia please visit:
http://www.capellahotelgroup.com/capellahotels/stlucia-en.html
Capella Hotels and Resorts serves todays top-tier travelers and residential
property owners and is setting a new standard in the hospitality industry. Capella
promises the unique benefits of the finest boutique hotels, including superb
architecture and interior design, privacy, individualized service and attention to
detail combined with the amenities and activities of the worlds great luxury
hotels and resorts. Capella is a brand focused on customer choice, and offers
choices that no other hotel company in the world can match.
For the ultimate in glamping, chic award-winning Sandy Balls
Holiday Village has introduced a new range of unique Camping
Pods in the heart of the stunning New Forest. The funky timber
Pods let you sleep under the stars and enjoy campings spirit of
adventure without the hassle of putting up a tent or the
discomfort of a bed on the ground.
This exciting holiday experience is the must-have this season
and comes complete with a comfy seating area, which converts
into a double bed, and two single pull-out chair beds to
accommodate four guests. Unlike usual camping, theyre the
perfect way to get close to nature for more of the year.
Whatever the weather, the popular Pods boast all the mod cons
to keep snuggly inside. A TV will keep you entertained, while a
fridge keeps your drinks on ice or a kettle offers a warming brew.
The Pods are set in Sandy Balls private 120-acre estate in the
idyllic New Forest National Park. Its the ideal base for fabulous
woodland walks under the forest canopy, cycling and horse
riding. The banks of the picturesque River Avon, which
meanders along its boundaries, are hard to beat for the best
summer picnic spot.
Onsite facilities include a Cycle Centre, indoor and outdoor
swimming pools, The Retreat Hair & Beauty for a little extra
pampering, Pizza in the Piazza, the new-look Woodside Inn and
the convenient Village Store to make your stay easy.
Sandy Balls has built a reputation for five-star customer service
during its 95 years of welcoming guests. Relax, unwind and
make the most of time together with family or friends with an
escape from everyday life.
To stay in a Camping Pod in July, four nights start from just 199
for four people.
To book or for more information see www.sandyballs.co.uk
or call 0844 693 1050.
Travel
Sandy Balls new Camping Pods are the must-have this season
Travel
Travel Essentials for your Summer Holidays
Preparing for the Summer holidays when travelling with your family brings a whole new definition to packing the essentials! With
so much emphasis on protecting delicate skin and making sure you take the right things with you, we searched the market for
some of the best and innovative products available.
Almost everyone I know who has a baby or toddler has a travel cot but
inevitably most of them require assembly or are heavy and quite
cumbersome. Wouldnt it be great if you could get one that popped
straight up, was easy to assemble and you could use in a multitude of
ways? Well thats one problem solved then!
Travel Essentials have created the NSA Travel Centre (available in
standard - ages 0-2 years or Deluxe - ages 0-4 years) which has UPF35+
sun protection and is extremely lightweight. The Travel Centre pops
straight up and is really simple to assemble as well as being BS Travel
Cot approved. It really is a multi-functional product whether you want
it as a play tent to take to the park, beach or have in the garden.
Safe & comfortable for little ones to sleep in, anywhere, any time!
Comes with a quilted sleep-mat and self inflating mattress. Fast and
simple to put up and take down. Available in a full range of gorgeous
colours. RRP Standard 69.50/Deluxe RRP 89.50 Safetots, Boots,
Amazon.
For more information, please visit: www.safetotos.co.uk
COMPETITION TIME
We have a fantastic prize giveaway for TWO lucky readers, with a
chance to win a NSA Deluxe Travel Centre RRP 89.50!
For your chance to win this competition, simply answer the
following question and email your answer to me at
Q: What age range is the NSA Deluxe Travel Centre suitable for
a) 0 - 6 years old
b) 0 - 2 years old
c) 0 - 4 years old
For more information, please visit:http://www.safetotos.co.uk/
I learnt the hard way recently after being in the sun for about 20
minutes and getting heatstroke! Im not silly and dont normally go
unprotected but I figured 20 minutes doing an errand wouldnt matter
but boy was I wrong! With a burnt back and god awful headaches and
sickness I certainly wont be doing that again. It was quite coincidental
that I was sent a new sun lotion and after sun to review the following
day and thank god for that. The first thing I noticed was the lack of
that smell that most sun lotions seem to have - this was odourless
and so easy to apply. I have to say the relief to my back was the first
blessing. The brand focuses on no perfume, no mineral oils, no
emulsifiers, no preservatives and for the sun lotion - is water-resistant
and has a 50+ SPF which is fantastic! We are very much favouring this
brand and look forward to seeing what the other products are like.
The ultrasun range is available now from QVC, Marks & Spencer, John
Lewis, Waitrose and many other stores nationwide from 20.00
Another essential families will
take with them, especially on day
trips, is the ever faithful lunchbox.
The one big difference with the
Yumbox is that this brings the end to soggy
sandwiches and plastic wrap! Divided into five cup
portions of the key food groups, you can now offer
your child many different options to snack from. The
biggest feature of the yumbox is the unique one-lid
closure that seals each portion from the other with
no risk of mixing different food types. A fab little
lunchbox that provides a great way to feed your
children. Available in Pomme Green or
Framboise Pink at just 24.95.
Available at: http://www.yumbox-uk.co.uk/
We love, love, love this little swimming
costume - the latest designs in swimming
costumes from the SplashAbout brand;
available in a range of fruity and floral prints
and cute frills. Made using only the best
quality nylon lycra, providing added stretch
and chlorine resistance for longer lasting
use. Offers SPF50+ sun protection both in
and out of the water. My little girl has been
pleading to wear it around the house so I
think its time we made a visit to the
swimming pool soon to keep her happy!
Priced from 19.99 so really great value!
www.splashabout.com
Once upon a time back in 2007, luxury childrens boutique
BLUE ALMONDS opened its doors at 79 Walton Street. A
magical haven for children and adults alike, the stunning
store initially focused on bespoke childrens interiors perfect
for modern, light pastel rooms. Ready-to-wear and
accessories soon followed suit and fast forward to 2014, BLUE
ALMONDS is now relocating to a shiny new store on the
sunny side of the road.
60% bigger in size than the previous space, loyal BLUE
ALMONDS customers can still expect to find all their
favourite fashion and interiors along with new-to-store labels
including traditional Spanish brand Paz Rodriguez, Olli Eli
rocking chairs and top quality Italian cashmere from
Masserano. New toy brands include Gund, Selecta and
popular US label Manny & Simon while Daisy & Bump
artwork and Dr Seuss books are ideal for all ages. Whats
more, there will be a wider selection of childrens furniture
with a stronger focus on older children with plenty more
exciting ideas under way. While sizes range from newborn
to age 4, BLUE ALMONDS FOUNDER Izabela Minkiewicz
expects ready-to-wear to be available for children up to 8
years of age in the near future.
Blue Almonds is not only growing in size but we are growing
with the customer too and its a pleasure to be able to dress
children that we once dressed as babies, said Iza of the
new ranges.
The new store will also offer a central babies play area as
well as custom-made pictures designed exclusively for Blue
Almonds and a childrens reading and colouring area.
Iza says, I am thrilled to be launching our new store on
Walton Street. Blue Almonds has grown exponentially since
its launch and we now have a regular client and celebrity
base who I know are just as excited as I am! Im lucky to
be able to stay in the same neighbourhood while offering
my loyal customers a more interactive and enjoyable
experience for both mothers and babies.
Blue Almonds relocates to a
magical new store
The much-anticipated childrens animated series Pip Ahoy! from CHF
Entertainment Ltd will be airing on Channel 5s Milkshake starting on
12th June 2014.Pip Ahoy! follows the adventures of an eager happy-
go-lucky young pup called Pip and his best friend Alba the kitten around
the colourful and enchanting seaside resort of Salty Cove. Aimed at
pre-school children from the age of two, Pip Ahoy! will bring fun and
laughter into every home with a mixture of the extraordinary and the
familiar. The series has been produced by CHF Entertainments hugely
talented creative team under the leadership of multi award-winners
Jean Flynn and Ben Turner and features Sir David Jason as the voice of
Pips caring uncle, Skipper. X Factor finalist, singer and reality TV star,
Stacey Solomon, has also recorded the theme song and is the voice of
the pink flamingo, Fuchsia.
Jessica Symons, Head of Childrens at Channel 5 says: We are very
excited to be launching the first new show from CHF Entertainment.
There is a great deal of British heritage in the company and Pip Ahoy!
features an all-star cast from an all-star studio. The show fits perfectly
into our portfolio of childrens programmes and is a great asset to our
week day schedule. I am sure the Milkshake audience will take Pip and
his friends to their hearts.
Simon Hall, managing director of CHF Entertainment comments, We
are delighted to be working with Channel 5 on the first animated series
to come out of our studio. Pip Ahoy! uniquely evokes a special time and
places for children and parents summer adventures by the sea.
The pre-school audience is open to all kinds of animation styles and
the variety out there is huge, but the most successful can often be the
simplest 2d illustrative styles. We therefore developed Pip Ahoy! with
this in mind. The pre-school age group is also unique because parental
choice and influence holds the biggest sway. Parents are the prime
ambassadors of a brand and if parents dont like the show, their child
stands less chance of watching it. We believe we have created a show
that will be respected and enjoyed by children and parents alike.
Helen Brown, producer of Pip Ahoy said: We created a warm and
inviting environment, with stories that take our audience on a fun and
exciting adventure with learning discoveries made along the way and a
cast of characters that fulfil the tried and tested formula for success.
Pip represents who we would like to be courageous, positive, energetic
and well loved.The initial 26 episodes will be airing in the first series
with another 26 episodes already in production.
Salty Cove boasts everything a proper seaside resort should have a
sandy beach with little coves and pools to visit, along with welcoming
beach huts and a sunny promenade with its parade of shops of all kind.
To one end of the cove is an observatory manned by the brainy and
erudite Professor Evie, and to the other end a lighthouse stands
overlooking a boatyard, which contains several crafts of various shapes
and sizes. Some of these belong to the most respected inhabitant of
Salty Cove, the redoubtable Captain Skipper, Pips uncle.
The folk that live in this idyllic place are as motley a crew as you could
imagine from Pasty, the acquisitive crab with an extraordinary collection
of bric-a-brac, Hopper, the one legged acrophobic seagull with big
ambition and little gumption, Madame clair, a French poodle of
high-breeding and exquisite taste in confectionary and cakes, Mrs
Twitcher, a keen birdwatcher and Salty Coves very own taxi driver, a
colony of rather well spoken puffins clustered around an island offshore
and a flock of seagulls, Kevin, Cyril and Percy who make mischief. A
quintet of singing limpets, the Squiblets, pop up from time to time to
warble a brief barbers shop type harmony and beneath the waves,
resides a drummer of multi-limbed capability, the renowned Rocktopus.
Keith Hopwood, managing director of CHF Music Rights Ltdwrote and
produced the music for the Pip Ahoy! series.Stacey Solomon recorded
the vocals for the Pip Ahoy! theme song and eight children from the
Little Stars Stage School in Warringtonwere used for the shout out - Pip
Ahoy!,
For more information about Pip Ahoy!
please visitwww.chfentertainment.com/site/shows/pip-overview
News & Entertainment
Pip Ahoy! airs on Channel 5s Milkshake!
Competitions
We have a fantastic prize giveaway for TWO lucky readers, with a
chance to win a NSA Deluxe Travel Centre RRP 89.50!
For your chance to win this competition, simply answer the following
question and email your answer to me at
Q: What age range is the NSA Deluxe Travel Centre suitable for
a) 0 - 6 years old
b) 0 - 2 years old
c) 0 - 4 years old
For more information, please visit: http://www.nsauk.com/
We have an amazing prize giveaway for one lucky reader the
chance to win a BabyBay Convertible and mattress RRP 269!
For your chance to win this fabulous competition, simply answer
the following question and email your answer to me at
Q: Up to what age can you use the BabyBay Convertible in
side-sleeping mode?
a) up to 3 years old
b) up to 6 months old
c) up to 12 months old
You can find the answer here:
www.naturalbabyshower.co.uk
Just in time for the World Cup! We have 5 x sets of fabulous
Limited Edition difrax dummies and anti colic s-bottles
(suitable from birth) to give away!
For your chance to win one of the sets, simply send your
answer to the following question to me at
info@babybuzzmagazine.com
When was difrax founded?
a) 1907
b) 1967
c) 2007
Answers can be found here:
www.difrax.com
(Please note that colours may vary for the bottles)
Baby Buzz magazine has teamed up with Photobox to offer one lucky
reader the chance to win a fabulous PhotoBook just in time for
Summer to the value of 29.99! For your chance to win, simply send
your answer to the following question to me at
What is the Facebook Page for PhotoBox?
Baby Buzz Magazine has teamed up with Nelsons Teetha to offer
one lucky Mum the chance to win a 55 Mothercare Babymel Cara
Stripe Navy Changing bag worth 55 filled with a selection of
Nelsons goodies including Nelsons Arnicare Arnica Kids Stick and a
bottle of Rescue Remedy Spray.
Nelsons Teetha Teething Granules is a homeopathic medicinal
product used within the homeopathic tradition for the symptomatic
relief of teething pain and the symptoms associated with teething,
which are sore and tender gums, flushed cheeks and dribbling. For
babies 3 months and over. Contains Chamomilla 12c, Belladonna
12c & Aconite 12c.
Nelsons Teetha Teething Granules come ready-dosed in a
convenient granule format that simply dissolves in a babys mouth
to help provide teething pain relief. It contains a 6c homeopathic
potency of natural Chamomilla. Always read the label.
For your chance to win, simply answer the following question:
Q) How much does Nelsons Teetha retail for?
a) 3.99 b) 8.99 c) 5.10
Email your answer to us at:
Info@babybuzzmagazine.com
*If you are concerned about any symptoms that your baby may have, in particular if they have a fever, please consult your doctor.
The fabulous Hauck Lacrosse SND Travel System as
reviewed on page
For your chance to win one of the sets, simply send your
answer to the following question to me at

June - July Final Issue

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