Hi All,
Im sorry its been a while, life has been pretty hectic recently!! Im now 31 weeks pregnant with my little man and the nesting instict has kicked in, in quite an extreme manner!! Just short of reaching for the toothbrush to scrub every inch of the skirting boards and above I have been over and over every surface a hundred times and rearranged everything on a daily basis from furniture to clothes!!
Im still deciding on names, I could reel off dozens of girls names but boys names arnt flowing so freely! Im looking for old fashioned names so if you have any ideas please let me know!!
I hope the childrens holidays arnt now dragging too much with your little ones left bored and whining with no ideas or energy left to entertain them with!! Thankfully my children are not quite at that stage yet.
One sad piece of news which happened recently is that I had to make the heart breaking decision to put my nearly one year old puppy to sleep. She had some nasty and unfortunate inherited kidney disease which was causing her great pain and suffering. The only comfort I can take at this time is that she is no longer in pain, she will always be part of my family and our hearts and we love her so much for the short happy time she gave us. RIP Lola xxx
Anyway, I should be back with my blogs soon so look forward to catching up again then xxx
Wednesday, 31 August 2011
Wednesday, 27 July 2011
Home Made Hobby Horse
After watching my 2 year old, George at his sports day last week, I was amazed at his love for the hobby horse. He refused to get off and even went round the whole crowd of parents making horsey sneezey sounds and introducing his pony to everyone!! So with this in mind and money tight, I decided and attempted to make him his very own horse.
Have fun and get creative and make your own customised horse!!
This homemade hobbyhorse is perfect for kids who are rearing to go. Fashioned from a pair of old blue jeans, it requires no sewing. Just gather some string, felt, glue, yarn, polyester filling (available at craft stores), and a 3-foot-long wooden pole or something similar. Then, follow these six steps.
1. Cut off one jean leg about 2 feet up from the hem. Turn the leg inside out and use string to tightly tie the bottom closed.
2. Now, turn the leg right side out and glue on felt eyes and nostrils (i forgot mine!!).
3. For the horse's mane and forelock, arrange 8-inch lengths of colourful wool into four bunches of 35 strands. Tie each bunch in the center with another strand.
4. Starting 2 inches above the horse's eyes in the center of the trouser leg, cut 8 3/4-inch vertical slits (spaced a half inch apart). Weave one bunch of yarn through the first two slits, so that the ends stick out and resemble a forelock. Weave the other bunches through the remaining slits to create the mane.
5. For ears, cut the back pockets from the jeans and use string to tie the tops closed. Cut ear slits in the head and insert the tied ends of the pockets into them.
6. Stuff the horse's head (up to its ears) with polyester filling. Insert one end of the wooden dowel. Then, pack the neck with more filling and tightly tie the lower edge of the neck to the dowel. Finally, i used an old belt cut up to make a bridal and reins.
Have fun and get creative and make your own customised horse!!
This homemade hobbyhorse is perfect for kids who are rearing to go. Fashioned from a pair of old blue jeans, it requires no sewing. Just gather some string, felt, glue, yarn, polyester filling (available at craft stores), and a 3-foot-long wooden pole or something similar. Then, follow these six steps.
1. Cut off one jean leg about 2 feet up from the hem. Turn the leg inside out and use string to tightly tie the bottom closed.
2. Now, turn the leg right side out and glue on felt eyes and nostrils (i forgot mine!!).
3. For the horse's mane and forelock, arrange 8-inch lengths of colourful wool into four bunches of 35 strands. Tie each bunch in the center with another strand.
4. Starting 2 inches above the horse's eyes in the center of the trouser leg, cut 8 3/4-inch vertical slits (spaced a half inch apart). Weave one bunch of yarn through the first two slits, so that the ends stick out and resemble a forelock. Weave the other bunches through the remaining slits to create the mane. 5. For ears, cut the back pockets from the jeans and use string to tie the tops closed. Cut ear slits in the head and insert the tied ends of the pockets into them.
6. Stuff the horse's head (up to its ears) with polyester filling. Insert one end of the wooden dowel. Then, pack the neck with more filling and tightly tie the lower edge of the neck to the dowel. Finally, i used an old belt cut up to make a bridal and reins.
Tuesday, 19 July 2011
Mini Review on Toddler Snacks
I tested 5 toddler snacks, found in the baby and toddler isle of most supermarkets, on my children and also tried and tasted them myself. The results are as follows:
1. Annabel Karmel Cheese and onion rice and corn snacks suitable from 12 months
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We rated these 8/10
At 37p per 20g packet these really were value for money. Each rice cake had full flavour of cheese and onion and did not taste salty, my children loved these!! Annabel Karmel also has a range of wholesome toddler snacks on the market so look out for them including banana fruit crisps, peach flavoured raisins and apple and cinnamon biscuits.
http://www.annabelkarmel.com/disney/index.html
Ingredients: Rice (59%), corn (25%), cheese and onion flavouring (natural flavourings, cane sugar, salt, dried palm fat (contains milk proteins, glucose syrup), anti caking agent: E551*, paprika (extract), sunflower oil.
* E551 is also known as silicium dioxide and is mainly used in dry products originated from sand!
"We say no to artificial colours, flavours and preservatives"
Calories (energy) per pack - 78Kcal
Fat per pack - 1.9g, 0.2g of which is saturated fat (bad fat)
Salt per pack - 0.09g
Sugar per pack - 0.3g
2. Plum Multigrain and cheddar crispy rings, suitable from 12 months
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We rated these 4/10
These cost 60p for a 20g packet which I felt was too expensive for what the product is. The taste was extremely bland and flavourless, there wasnt any cheese flavour apparent but on a more positive note they also didnt taste salty or sugary.
Plum also do an extensive range of baby and toddler snacks including spelt, tomato and herb breadsticks, orange and ginger oaty rounds and savoury parmesan baky bites. They also have a range of breakfast, dinner, dessert and sauces available.
http://www.plum-baby.co.uk/home-2/
Ingredients: Organic corn 66%, organic sunflower oil 10%, organic Gouda cheese powder 7%, organic cheddar cheese powder 5%, organic quinoa 4%, organic rice 4%
They claim also to contain NO: added salt, added refined sugar, hydrogenated fats, artificial flavours, artificial colours, preservatives, egg or gluten
"Natural Organic Ingredients" - this is most definately adhered to and so could be reflected in the price
Calories (energy) per packet - 84Kcal
Fat per packet - 3.2g, 1.3g of which are saturated fats
Salt per packet - 0.02g
Sugar per packet - 0.8g (packaging states that only naturally occurring sugars are used)
3. Goodies Organic Cheese and Herb Puffs, suitable for over 12 months
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We rated these 6/10
They cost 54p per 15g packet. They tasted full flavoured, not salty or sugary they had a substantial cheese and herb flavour with visible herbs on the puffs. Even though the packet is only 15g, there was alot crammed in!! Organix Goodies also offer organic gingerbread men, organic apple and raspberry soft oaty bars and organic squeezy fruit purees.
http://www.organix.com/goodies
Ingredients: Organic corn 73%, organic sunflower oil 15%, organic cheese powder 12% (50% organic mature cheddar cheese, 50% organic skimmed milk powder), organic dried parsley less than 1%, Thiamin* (vitamin b1) less than 1%
* thiamin is not certified as organic although is an essential nutrient for growing children
"No Junk Promise" - NO added salt, NO artificial colours or flavours, NO MSG
Calories (energy) per packet - 69Kcal
Fat per packet - 2.3g, 0.4 of which are saturated fats
Salt per packet - trace
Sugar per packet - 0.3g
4. Organix Finger Foods Organic Carrot Sticks, suitable from 7 months
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We rated these 9/10
These cost 56p for a 20g packet.
These are large chunky (easy to hold for younger toddlers), soft and very flavoursome. They have a sweetness but no salty taste and although not tasting exactly like carrot, they do taste very agreeable! The only let down is the orange colour which when gummed upon can get all over clothes, faces and fingers and temporarily stains! They also have many more organic products in their range including no junk promise jars offering a wide range of tastes and textures.
http://www.organix.com/
Ingredients: Organic corn 72%, organic carrot powder 14%, organic sunflower oil 13%, Thiamin (vit b1) less than 1%
"No Junk Promise" "Simple and Interactive"
Calories (energy) per packet - 21 Kcal
Fat per packet - 0.5g, 0.1g of which are saturated fat
Salt per packet - trace
Sugar per packet - 0.3g
5. Kiddylicious fruit snacks: Apple crisps, Banana Bites and Pineapple Snacks, suitable from 12 months
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We rated these 5/10
They cost 59p per 12g packet
These are very crunchy and dissolve really easily in the mouth, they are sweet with a slight strange fried taste. The packaging claims that there is a whole apple inside and is 1 of you 5 a-day. Kiddylicious are relatively new to the market but do offer an increasing range, have a look at their website for more information.
http://babylicious.co.uk/our-products
Ingredients: Fresh apple slices 79%, vegetable oil, a sprinkle of maltose (a natural sugar)
"NO additives or salt"
Calories (energy) per packet - 51Kcal
Fat per packet - 2.4g, 0.5g of which are saturated fat
Salt per packet - trace
Sugar per packet - 6.3g
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The Pineapple Snacks we rated 4/10
These cost 59p per a 12g packet
They tasted very crunchy and dissolved well but had a greasy and sour taste, my son said that they made his tongue itch!!
Ingredients: Fresh pineapple slices 77%, vegetable oil, sprinkle of maltose (natural sugar)
"whole portion of fruit inside" "1 of your 5 a-day" "NO additives or salt"
Calories (energy) per packet - 53Kcal
Fat per packet - 2.7g, 0.4g of which are saturated fats
Salt per packet - trace
Sugar per packet - 5.8g
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We rated the Banana Bites 4/10
These cost 59p per 12g packet
These did resemble banana slices and tasted very sweet and concentrated, there was again a slight greasy taste and left a greasy aftertaste in the mouth, they were very crunchy and dissolved easily.
Ingredients: Fresh banana slices 78%, vegetable oil
" There's one very large banana in this bag" "1 of your 5 a-day" "NO additives or salt"
Calories (energy) per packet - 65Kcal
Fat per packet - 3.2g, 0.6g of which are saturated fat
Salt per packet - trace
Sugar per packet - 7.4g
SUMMARY
In summary the fruit snacks did not prove popular, they had no organic label and was not a particulary good substitute for real fruit pieces mainly because of the addition of vegetable oil, that said they do easily dissolve for a young child and so less risk of choking. The savoury snacks were much popluar, especially the organix brand. These clearly labelled all the organic ingredients and do not contain any junk, they also are good value for money considering the organic labelling. The Annabel Karmel snacks were also popular although did not promise an organic snack and as such did contain E551 which none of the other products did. The least popular was the Plum-Baby multigrain and cheddar crispy rings not because of the good quality ingredients but mainly due to a lack in flavour and taste. However, do try all the other products available from all these ranges and see what you think!!
1. Annabel Karmel Cheese and onion rice and corn snacks suitable from 12 months
We rated these 8/10
At 37p per 20g packet these really were value for money. Each rice cake had full flavour of cheese and onion and did not taste salty, my children loved these!! Annabel Karmel also has a range of wholesome toddler snacks on the market so look out for them including banana fruit crisps, peach flavoured raisins and apple and cinnamon biscuits.
http://www.annabelkarmel.com/disney/index.html
Ingredients: Rice (59%), corn (25%), cheese and onion flavouring (natural flavourings, cane sugar, salt, dried palm fat (contains milk proteins, glucose syrup), anti caking agent: E551*, paprika (extract), sunflower oil.
* E551 is also known as silicium dioxide and is mainly used in dry products originated from sand!
"We say no to artificial colours, flavours and preservatives"
Calories (energy) per pack - 78Kcal
Fat per pack - 1.9g, 0.2g of which is saturated fat (bad fat)
Salt per pack - 0.09g
Sugar per pack - 0.3g
2. Plum Multigrain and cheddar crispy rings, suitable from 12 months
These cost 60p for a 20g packet which I felt was too expensive for what the product is. The taste was extremely bland and flavourless, there wasnt any cheese flavour apparent but on a more positive note they also didnt taste salty or sugary.
Plum also do an extensive range of baby and toddler snacks including spelt, tomato and herb breadsticks, orange and ginger oaty rounds and savoury parmesan baky bites. They also have a range of breakfast, dinner, dessert and sauces available.
http://www.plum-baby.co.uk/home-2/
Ingredients: Organic corn 66%, organic sunflower oil 10%, organic Gouda cheese powder 7%, organic cheddar cheese powder 5%, organic quinoa 4%, organic rice 4%
They claim also to contain NO: added salt, added refined sugar, hydrogenated fats, artificial flavours, artificial colours, preservatives, egg or gluten
"Natural Organic Ingredients" - this is most definately adhered to and so could be reflected in the price
Calories (energy) per packet - 84Kcal
Fat per packet - 3.2g, 1.3g of which are saturated fats
Salt per packet - 0.02g
Sugar per packet - 0.8g (packaging states that only naturally occurring sugars are used)
3. Goodies Organic Cheese and Herb Puffs, suitable for over 12 months
We rated these 6/10
They cost 54p per 15g packet. They tasted full flavoured, not salty or sugary they had a substantial cheese and herb flavour with visible herbs on the puffs. Even though the packet is only 15g, there was alot crammed in!! Organix Goodies also offer organic gingerbread men, organic apple and raspberry soft oaty bars and organic squeezy fruit purees.
http://www.organix.com/goodies
Ingredients: Organic corn 73%, organic sunflower oil 15%, organic cheese powder 12% (50% organic mature cheddar cheese, 50% organic skimmed milk powder), organic dried parsley less than 1%, Thiamin* (vitamin b1) less than 1%
* thiamin is not certified as organic although is an essential nutrient for growing children
"No Junk Promise" - NO added salt, NO artificial colours or flavours, NO MSG
Calories (energy) per packet - 69Kcal
Fat per packet - 2.3g, 0.4 of which are saturated fats
Salt per packet - trace
Sugar per packet - 0.3g
4. Organix Finger Foods Organic Carrot Sticks, suitable from 7 months
We rated these 9/10
These cost 56p for a 20g packet.
These are large chunky (easy to hold for younger toddlers), soft and very flavoursome. They have a sweetness but no salty taste and although not tasting exactly like carrot, they do taste very agreeable! The only let down is the orange colour which when gummed upon can get all over clothes, faces and fingers and temporarily stains! They also have many more organic products in their range including no junk promise jars offering a wide range of tastes and textures.
http://www.organix.com/
Ingredients: Organic corn 72%, organic carrot powder 14%, organic sunflower oil 13%, Thiamin (vit b1) less than 1%
"No Junk Promise" "Simple and Interactive"
Calories (energy) per packet - 21 Kcal
Fat per packet - 0.5g, 0.1g of which are saturated fat
Salt per packet - trace
Sugar per packet - 0.3g
5. Kiddylicious fruit snacks: Apple crisps, Banana Bites and Pineapple Snacks, suitable from 12 months
They cost 59p per 12g packet
These are very crunchy and dissolve really easily in the mouth, they are sweet with a slight strange fried taste. The packaging claims that there is a whole apple inside and is 1 of you 5 a-day. Kiddylicious are relatively new to the market but do offer an increasing range, have a look at their website for more information.
http://babylicious.co.uk/our-products
Ingredients: Fresh apple slices 79%, vegetable oil, a sprinkle of maltose (a natural sugar)
"NO additives or salt"
Calories (energy) per packet - 51Kcal
Fat per packet - 2.4g, 0.5g of which are saturated fat
Salt per packet - trace
Sugar per packet - 6.3g
The Pineapple Snacks we rated 4/10
These cost 59p per a 12g packet
They tasted very crunchy and dissolved well but had a greasy and sour taste, my son said that they made his tongue itch!!
Ingredients: Fresh pineapple slices 77%, vegetable oil, sprinkle of maltose (natural sugar)
"whole portion of fruit inside" "1 of your 5 a-day" "NO additives or salt"
Calories (energy) per packet - 53Kcal
Fat per packet - 2.7g, 0.4g of which are saturated fats
Salt per packet - trace
Sugar per packet - 5.8g
We rated the Banana Bites 4/10
These cost 59p per 12g packet
These did resemble banana slices and tasted very sweet and concentrated, there was again a slight greasy taste and left a greasy aftertaste in the mouth, they were very crunchy and dissolved easily.
Ingredients: Fresh banana slices 78%, vegetable oil
" There's one very large banana in this bag" "1 of your 5 a-day" "NO additives or salt"
Calories (energy) per packet - 65Kcal
Fat per packet - 3.2g, 0.6g of which are saturated fat
Salt per packet - trace
Sugar per packet - 7.4g
SUMMARY
In summary the fruit snacks did not prove popular, they had no organic label and was not a particulary good substitute for real fruit pieces mainly because of the addition of vegetable oil, that said they do easily dissolve for a young child and so less risk of choking. The savoury snacks were much popluar, especially the organix brand. These clearly labelled all the organic ingredients and do not contain any junk, they also are good value for money considering the organic labelling. The Annabel Karmel snacks were also popular although did not promise an organic snack and as such did contain E551 which none of the other products did. The least popular was the Plum-Baby multigrain and cheddar crispy rings not because of the good quality ingredients but mainly due to a lack in flavour and taste. However, do try all the other products available from all these ranges and see what you think!!
Friday, 15 July 2011
TAKE FAT: Fat children to be taken into foster care!!
This is a brief article that I found from the mail online and quite honestly this really astonished me, have a read and see what you think, my views are at the end.
Taken from MailOnline:
Overweight children should be taken into foster care until they lose weight, a leading obesity expert claims.
Dr David Ludwig also suggested that their parents should undergo ‘instruction’ to stop them buying junk food.
Separation would last for as short a time as possible to ‘support not just the child but the whole family, with the goal of reuniting child and family as soon as possible’, he argued.
‘That may require instruction on parenting,’ he added.
Dr Ludwig explained that he was inspired to speak out after a three-year-old girl weighing 6st 6lb came to his obesity clinic.
Last year, at age 12, she weighed 24st 4lb and had developed diabetes, cholesterol problems, high blood pressure and sleep apnoea.
Dr Ludwig, of the Harvard-affiliated Children’s Hospital in Boston, in the United States, said: ‘Out of medical concern, the state placed this girl in foster care, where she simply received three balanced meals a day and a snack or two, and moderate physical activity.’
She has since lost 9st 4lb, and although she is still obese, her diabetes and apnoea have disappeared.
She remains in foster care.
In a letter to the Journal of the American Medical Association, Dr Ludwig suggested only extreme cases of obesity should result in removal – but this would still affect two million American children.
He added that removing children from the family home was better than putting them through weight-loss surgery.
His comments have sparked a fierce row, with some commentators accusing him of pushing the nanny state too far.
Arthur Caplan, professor of bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania, said: ‘Our laws give enormous authority to parents, and rightly so.
The only basis for compelling medical treatment against a parent’s wishes are if a child is at imminent risk of death – meaning days or hours – and a proven cure exists for what threatens to kill them.
‘Obesity does not pass these requirements.’
Last year, paediatrician Dr Russell Viner and colleagues wrote in the British Medical Journal that obesity was a factor in several child protection cases in the UK.
They argued that rejecting efforts to control an extremely obese child’s weight was equal to ‘neglect’.
Last December, a report from the NHS revealed that one in ten children in England is obese when they start primary school, rising to one in five once they leave.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2014070/Take-fat.html#ixzz1S9ZjcxvP
My Thoughts:
Firstly it would be right to say that to allow your child to enter into such a dangerous state of obesity and to allow them to demorolise themselves so outwardly is not just wrong, it could be looked at as both neglect and child abuse. But with this said, it should also be considered that these parents are perhaps being denied proper nutritional advise, lacking the knowledge of cookery skills and possibly have over eating habits themselves which are not addressed. Obesity is as much (if not more) of a problem as other eating disorders such as anorexia or buliema and should be looked at in such a way. It is much deeper than just greed, its an inbuilt habit, a learnt trait and in some cases a psychological restraint.
In my humble opinion it would be very wrong to take a child from its parents because of the way they look, after all and depending on the childs age, it may not be the childs fault as to its diet, availble food and of course parental boundaries with regards to eating. To live in fear as a parent and child alike, that if he/she were to eat a bowl of chips or a few biscuits then they may be at a bigger risk of being taken into care is morally an incorrect judgement. The child may have underlying psychological problems which they may need to address and will more than likely need the help and support from home life, not being thrown into a totally new family where they may feel even more need to comfort or habitually eat for safety. I am of course generalising and assuming somewhat, but lets look at establishments out of the parents control, schools being the most obvious. School dinners, as has come to attention time and again, are less than adequate where diet and nutrition are concerned. Most serving up chips, pizza and sausages washed down with some sort of high sugared and coloured flavoured milk. Alot of work has been done lately to try and sort this dierty crisis but there is still along way to go, after all simply offering a piece of limp cabbage next to chips is hardly a solution. Parents rely on schools to provide their children with a good standard of something which is so basic in terms of our exsistance and we are not being supported with sufficiently.
So back to the topic in question, why should children be taken from their families when it could be thought that the problem doesnt solely lie with the parents? Taking a child away from their family for being overweight is simply an unnessary punshiment to all involved and would solve nothing but heartache. I believe as a nutritionist that we need to give parents and children the opportunity to learn valuable life skills such as cooking and preparing healthy foods and to inform them adequately to make the right choices when it comes to eating a healthy and balanced diet. Balanced being the opperative word, children need to learn from a young age that an occassional treat is fine too but to enjoy and indulge their taste buds with foods that will be beneficial first. I think that if this is done from day dot, the problem could be significantly reduced and such shocking concequences banished. Education, long term dedication and participation is what is most definately needed.
I would love to know your thoughts so please leave me your comments!!
Taken from MailOnline:
Overweight children should be taken into foster care until they lose weight, a leading obesity expert claims.
Dr David Ludwig also suggested that their parents should undergo ‘instruction’ to stop them buying junk food.
Separation would last for as short a time as possible to ‘support not just the child but the whole family, with the goal of reuniting child and family as soon as possible’, he argued.
Fighting fat: Stormy Bradley, left, and her daughter Maya, 14. Maya is 5ft 4in and weighs 200lbs
Dr Ludwig explained that he was inspired to speak out after a three-year-old girl weighing 6st 6lb came to his obesity clinic.
State intervention: Dr David Ludwig, an obesity expert, believes certain fat children should be taken into foster care for their own good
Dr Ludwig, of the Harvard-affiliated Children’s Hospital in Boston, in the United States, said: ‘Out of medical concern, the state placed this girl in foster care, where she simply received three balanced meals a day and a snack or two, and moderate physical activity.’
She has since lost 9st 4lb, and although she is still obese, her diabetes and apnoea have disappeared.
She remains in foster care.
In a letter to the Journal of the American Medical Association, Dr Ludwig suggested only extreme cases of obesity should result in removal – but this would still affect two million American children.
He added that removing children from the family home was better than putting them through weight-loss surgery.
His comments have sparked a fierce row, with some commentators accusing him of pushing the nanny state too far.
Arthur Caplan, professor of bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania, said: ‘Our laws give enormous authority to parents, and rightly so.
Walkies: Maya and Stormy walk their dog Bubbles in Atlanta. Stormy says she sympathises with families facing legal action over their children's weight.
‘Obesity does not pass these requirements.’
Last year, paediatrician Dr Russell Viner and colleagues wrote in the British Medical Journal that obesity was a factor in several child protection cases in the UK.
They argued that rejecting efforts to control an extremely obese child’s weight was equal to ‘neglect’.
Last December, a report from the NHS revealed that one in ten children in England is obese when they start primary school, rising to one in five once they leave.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2014070/Take-fat.html#ixzz1S9ZjcxvP
My Thoughts:
Firstly it would be right to say that to allow your child to enter into such a dangerous state of obesity and to allow them to demorolise themselves so outwardly is not just wrong, it could be looked at as both neglect and child abuse. But with this said, it should also be considered that these parents are perhaps being denied proper nutritional advise, lacking the knowledge of cookery skills and possibly have over eating habits themselves which are not addressed. Obesity is as much (if not more) of a problem as other eating disorders such as anorexia or buliema and should be looked at in such a way. It is much deeper than just greed, its an inbuilt habit, a learnt trait and in some cases a psychological restraint.
In my humble opinion it would be very wrong to take a child from its parents because of the way they look, after all and depending on the childs age, it may not be the childs fault as to its diet, availble food and of course parental boundaries with regards to eating. To live in fear as a parent and child alike, that if he/she were to eat a bowl of chips or a few biscuits then they may be at a bigger risk of being taken into care is morally an incorrect judgement. The child may have underlying psychological problems which they may need to address and will more than likely need the help and support from home life, not being thrown into a totally new family where they may feel even more need to comfort or habitually eat for safety. I am of course generalising and assuming somewhat, but lets look at establishments out of the parents control, schools being the most obvious. School dinners, as has come to attention time and again, are less than adequate where diet and nutrition are concerned. Most serving up chips, pizza and sausages washed down with some sort of high sugared and coloured flavoured milk. Alot of work has been done lately to try and sort this dierty crisis but there is still along way to go, after all simply offering a piece of limp cabbage next to chips is hardly a solution. Parents rely on schools to provide their children with a good standard of something which is so basic in terms of our exsistance and we are not being supported with sufficiently.
So back to the topic in question, why should children be taken from their families when it could be thought that the problem doesnt solely lie with the parents? Taking a child away from their family for being overweight is simply an unnessary punshiment to all involved and would solve nothing but heartache. I believe as a nutritionist that we need to give parents and children the opportunity to learn valuable life skills such as cooking and preparing healthy foods and to inform them adequately to make the right choices when it comes to eating a healthy and balanced diet. Balanced being the opperative word, children need to learn from a young age that an occassional treat is fine too but to enjoy and indulge their taste buds with foods that will be beneficial first. I think that if this is done from day dot, the problem could be significantly reduced and such shocking concequences banished. Education, long term dedication and participation is what is most definately needed.
I would love to know your thoughts so please leave me your comments!!
Monday, 11 July 2011
My foodie weekend review
Hello all, its a monday morning and im missing my weekend already!! I had a wonderful child free weekend (missed them like crazy but a welcome break). Saturday night I went out for a fabulous meal at The George Hotel and Brasserie in Buckden Cambridgeshire. Well, I was given the choice of where to eat and so living in St.Neots I thought it would be best to support our local restaurants and give a nearby one a go. I searched on the internet and after viewing a few websites and menus I decided on The Bridge House in St.Neots. It boasted beautiful river views an A star menu and friendly staff, so all dressed up I set off for my 7.00pm table.
They say first impressions are everything and by goodness they are not wrong!! I instantly felt out of place, the bar was grotty and smelly with a pool table and half drunk glasses everywhere. The people in there left little to the imagination, mainly students and old men. At the risk of sounding a little bit snobbish, I really wanted to do a runner but thought a soft drink by the riverside didnt sound that bad after all so ordered a drink and headed out to find a beautiful riverside view to relax and enjoy my child free time to. So feeling like Alice in wonderland in my floaty dress and hair flowing down past my shoulders in ringlets, my ballerina pumps all finished with my ever expanding bump, I felt like a person and not just a mum in my old clothes, scraped back hair and no make-up. That was until I went to sit down, the view was lovely, but the noise coming from the Drunken Duck next door was shocking to say the least. There was a hoard of students all dancing and drinking and enjoying a very smoky barbeque which was wafting my way! Trying to enjoy my converation and drink, I was becoming increasingly nervous about the type of person I was surrounded by and I immediately drank up, my eating partner visited the ladies and was appauled at the condition of the facilities and so we promptly left without as much as a thank you but no thanks!!
So we decided to call The George Hotel in Buckden, we knew we would have to travel there but didnt mind. They were extremely polite from the phone call and went above and beyond to book our table at such short notice. We actually arrived 50minutes early for our table but they still accomodated us when we got there, we were shown to a table at the bar where we ordered our drinks and were shown the menu. The decor was fabulous, very clean and expensive looking. The people there were all obviously out on a special occassion and were dressed accordingly (as we were luckily)!! So at first glance of the menu, we both couldnt decide as everything was so inviting. The starters ranged from the traditional smoked salmon to tempura crab and beef carpaccio with pomegranite seeds. The main courses made up the same delicious, mouth watering choices, coq au vin, sea bream, pan fried salmon and crispy pork belly were to name but a few, but there wasnt too many choices that it left you baffled and over whelmed.
So after about 15 minutes in the bar, we were shown to our table in the restaurant. The table was well laid and again the environment was clean and well presented, the staff also wore appropriate uniforms and were very polite, helpful, non-intrusive and friendly. Shortly after being seated and having our cloth napkins laid across our laps we were served bread and butter on a delightful old rustic wooden board, we had black olive bread and some granary bread both of which filled the gap before our starters. My friend had ordered the smoked salmon and I had bravely ordered the beef carpaccio. If speaking for myself, I was more than satisfied with my starter which was beautiful thin slices of fresh aberdeen angus beef with a peppery rocket salad, parmesan shavings and jewelled with pomegranite seeds, a rare treat (pardon the pun). My friend on the otherhand found that the smoked salmon had a fair few bones which is always off putting, but felt that this was this dishes only down fall, the small lightly tossed salad and fennel slices presented as a welcome marriage.
We were offered more bread which we greadily accepted and then sat back and relaxed while we waited for our anticipated main course. All things considered, it being a Saturday night and busy, we werent disappointed at the wait, which was probably about half an hour. It allowed us to take in the setting and slip into deep conversation, but when our main course did arrive we both fell into silent elation. My friend had ordered the crispy pork belly which arrived with caramelised apple slices and black pudding, along with a selection of vegetables all coated with a thick whole grain mustard sauce bringing the dish together in a supremely extravagant harmony. My main course didnt disappoint either, I had coq au vin, extremely tender peices of chicken slow cooked in a red wine and shallot sauce it oozed full bodied flavour and an intensity worthy of top end eatery. The small cut vegetables encompassing the meat and buttered smashed potatoes were glorious, very carefully sauted in butter but not overly greasy on the palate. The portion sizes were very generous and as hard as I tried I could manage all my main comfortably and still able to squeeze in a dessert!!
So a little stuffed around the edges, we ploughed onto dessert. As ever an over excited child within me surfaces at the mere mention of chocolate and immediately I plumped for the chocolate option but at a second read and careful consideration I opted for The Georges Eaton Mess, kindly allowing my friend to sample the sheer heavenly delights that is, was and will always be chocolate gateau with pistaschio ice-cream. We were given a array of dessert choices such as poached pears with cherry ice-cream, raspberry pannacota and the usual selection of local and more smelly varieties of cheese. Our order was taken and we were offered coffee at this point which we decided to order after dessert. As we waited we reflected our experience at The George and both came to the conconclusion that there was little to fault, although if we had to be critical (which by the way we really didnt want to), we both agreed that the position of our table directed our eyeline straight into the kitchen and its swinging doors, which swung back and forth all night long, wafting the kitchen hub bub into our conversation. That said, I did get a sneak at the kitchen which all appeared to be up to scratch and the chefs appropriately dressed and clean looking. Our only other small gripe was that as neither of us were not drinking, me with my bump and my friend nominating as driver, we were overlooked for top-ups on our drinks and as such had to alert a waitress to our thirst!!
But all was well with the world when our puds arrived, the chocolate gateau was first to be placed and it left me feeling a little bit food possessed as I eagerly stuck my spoon straight into the cold icy mousse followed by a thick dark dense chocolate base and greedily sucked my spoon several times to devour every last drop of the chocolate delight, but when mine was placed down I was pleasantly surprised. In true contemporary cookery style, I had serveral small portions all based on the eaton mess strawberry theme. A small delicate but truely chewy and perfectly sweet mergingue sat opposite a small rectangle morsel of cold sweet strawberry fudge. Then in a glass was some perserved strawberries topped with a velvety chantilly cream and lastly a truely outstanding cooling strawberry ice-cream sitting on some crumbled shortbread. I hasten to add, I wasnt quick to share my dessert and sophistocatedly scoffed the lot!!! So feeling like i had gained an extra stone (added to my bump) I admitted defeat and decided that the tempting floater coffee or baileys and hot chocolate was just a bridge too far and we settled up our bill, which came to a very respectable £75.00. We would have paid alot more for this meal, but as I pointed out earlier we didnt drink alcohol and didnt have coffee but other than that we left feeling well fed and extremely gready!!
Would I go there again? ..... that was a silly question!!! Of course!!!
It is also a hotel, so maybe next time i'll book a room .....
Please visit their website http://www.thegeorgebuckden.com/
They say first impressions are everything and by goodness they are not wrong!! I instantly felt out of place, the bar was grotty and smelly with a pool table and half drunk glasses everywhere. The people in there left little to the imagination, mainly students and old men. At the risk of sounding a little bit snobbish, I really wanted to do a runner but thought a soft drink by the riverside didnt sound that bad after all so ordered a drink and headed out to find a beautiful riverside view to relax and enjoy my child free time to. So feeling like Alice in wonderland in my floaty dress and hair flowing down past my shoulders in ringlets, my ballerina pumps all finished with my ever expanding bump, I felt like a person and not just a mum in my old clothes, scraped back hair and no make-up. That was until I went to sit down, the view was lovely, but the noise coming from the Drunken Duck next door was shocking to say the least. There was a hoard of students all dancing and drinking and enjoying a very smoky barbeque which was wafting my way! Trying to enjoy my converation and drink, I was becoming increasingly nervous about the type of person I was surrounded by and I immediately drank up, my eating partner visited the ladies and was appauled at the condition of the facilities and so we promptly left without as much as a thank you but no thanks!!
So we decided to call The George Hotel in Buckden, we knew we would have to travel there but didnt mind. They were extremely polite from the phone call and went above and beyond to book our table at such short notice. We actually arrived 50minutes early for our table but they still accomodated us when we got there, we were shown to a table at the bar where we ordered our drinks and were shown the menu. The decor was fabulous, very clean and expensive looking. The people there were all obviously out on a special occassion and were dressed accordingly (as we were luckily)!! So at first glance of the menu, we both couldnt decide as everything was so inviting. The starters ranged from the traditional smoked salmon to tempura crab and beef carpaccio with pomegranite seeds. The main courses made up the same delicious, mouth watering choices, coq au vin, sea bream, pan fried salmon and crispy pork belly were to name but a few, but there wasnt too many choices that it left you baffled and over whelmed.
So after about 15 minutes in the bar, we were shown to our table in the restaurant. The table was well laid and again the environment was clean and well presented, the staff also wore appropriate uniforms and were very polite, helpful, non-intrusive and friendly. Shortly after being seated and having our cloth napkins laid across our laps we were served bread and butter on a delightful old rustic wooden board, we had black olive bread and some granary bread both of which filled the gap before our starters. My friend had ordered the smoked salmon and I had bravely ordered the beef carpaccio. If speaking for myself, I was more than satisfied with my starter which was beautiful thin slices of fresh aberdeen angus beef with a peppery rocket salad, parmesan shavings and jewelled with pomegranite seeds, a rare treat (pardon the pun). My friend on the otherhand found that the smoked salmon had a fair few bones which is always off putting, but felt that this was this dishes only down fall, the small lightly tossed salad and fennel slices presented as a welcome marriage.
We were offered more bread which we greadily accepted and then sat back and relaxed while we waited for our anticipated main course. All things considered, it being a Saturday night and busy, we werent disappointed at the wait, which was probably about half an hour. It allowed us to take in the setting and slip into deep conversation, but when our main course did arrive we both fell into silent elation. My friend had ordered the crispy pork belly which arrived with caramelised apple slices and black pudding, along with a selection of vegetables all coated with a thick whole grain mustard sauce bringing the dish together in a supremely extravagant harmony. My main course didnt disappoint either, I had coq au vin, extremely tender peices of chicken slow cooked in a red wine and shallot sauce it oozed full bodied flavour and an intensity worthy of top end eatery. The small cut vegetables encompassing the meat and buttered smashed potatoes were glorious, very carefully sauted in butter but not overly greasy on the palate. The portion sizes were very generous and as hard as I tried I could manage all my main comfortably and still able to squeeze in a dessert!!
So a little stuffed around the edges, we ploughed onto dessert. As ever an over excited child within me surfaces at the mere mention of chocolate and immediately I plumped for the chocolate option but at a second read and careful consideration I opted for The Georges Eaton Mess, kindly allowing my friend to sample the sheer heavenly delights that is, was and will always be chocolate gateau with pistaschio ice-cream. We were given a array of dessert choices such as poached pears with cherry ice-cream, raspberry pannacota and the usual selection of local and more smelly varieties of cheese. Our order was taken and we were offered coffee at this point which we decided to order after dessert. As we waited we reflected our experience at The George and both came to the conconclusion that there was little to fault, although if we had to be critical (which by the way we really didnt want to), we both agreed that the position of our table directed our eyeline straight into the kitchen and its swinging doors, which swung back and forth all night long, wafting the kitchen hub bub into our conversation. That said, I did get a sneak at the kitchen which all appeared to be up to scratch and the chefs appropriately dressed and clean looking. Our only other small gripe was that as neither of us were not drinking, me with my bump and my friend nominating as driver, we were overlooked for top-ups on our drinks and as such had to alert a waitress to our thirst!!
But all was well with the world when our puds arrived, the chocolate gateau was first to be placed and it left me feeling a little bit food possessed as I eagerly stuck my spoon straight into the cold icy mousse followed by a thick dark dense chocolate base and greedily sucked my spoon several times to devour every last drop of the chocolate delight, but when mine was placed down I was pleasantly surprised. In true contemporary cookery style, I had serveral small portions all based on the eaton mess strawberry theme. A small delicate but truely chewy and perfectly sweet mergingue sat opposite a small rectangle morsel of cold sweet strawberry fudge. Then in a glass was some perserved strawberries topped with a velvety chantilly cream and lastly a truely outstanding cooling strawberry ice-cream sitting on some crumbled shortbread. I hasten to add, I wasnt quick to share my dessert and sophistocatedly scoffed the lot!!! So feeling like i had gained an extra stone (added to my bump) I admitted defeat and decided that the tempting floater coffee or baileys and hot chocolate was just a bridge too far and we settled up our bill, which came to a very respectable £75.00. We would have paid alot more for this meal, but as I pointed out earlier we didnt drink alcohol and didnt have coffee but other than that we left feeling well fed and extremely gready!!
Would I go there again? ..... that was a silly question!!! Of course!!!
It is also a hotel, so maybe next time i'll book a room .....
Please visit their website http://www.thegeorgebuckden.com/
Friday, 8 July 2011
You say potato peelings? I say tasty snack!!
Potato Peeling Snacks
You know when you peel potatoes, what do you do with the peelings?? Dump them in the bin by any chance? Why not try using them to make your children a really tasty alternative to crisps. Trust me, your little bundles will devour them!!
What you need:
2 large white potatoes
2 large sweet potatoes
1-2 tbsps oil (olive or sunflower)
What you need to do:
When your next making mash potato with a sunday roast or on top of a cottage pie, save the peelings and follow this!
Preheat the oven to about 200-250oC
Wash and peel the potatoes, I find its better to use a knife as you tend to get a bit more of the potato flesh with the skin to add a soft with crunchy texture.
Put the peelings on a large tray and spinkle with oil. Toss the skins really well in the oil so they are well coated and then spread out evenly on the tray and cook for about 25 minutes in a hot oven between 200 and 250oC
The crisps will be ready when they are golden and crispy. Take out and drain on a paper towel. Lightly sprinkle with sea salt and serve in a big bowl for all to share!
ALTERNATIVE FLAVOURS:
Before cooking the crisps you can toss through some chilli power, mixed herbs, a veg or chicken powered stock cube, curry powder or paprika .... the choices are endless!!
Happy snacking!
Let them drink!!
Some fab ideas for healthy drinks at partys or just as a daytime treat!
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Jungle Slush
What you will need:
12 kiwi fruit (approx 1kg)
3 1/2 cups ice cubes
3 cups (750ml) chilled kiwi mix fruit juice
What to do:
Peel kiwifruit, quarter lengthways, remove the core and as many seeds as possible
Just before serving, blend the kiwifruit, icecubes and juice until almost smooth, pour the slush into glasses to serve
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Watermelon Raspberry Juice
What you will need:
4kg watermelon
3 1/2 cups (875ml) chilled lemonade
1/2 cup (125ml) raspberry cordial
12 mini whisks (one per child) (optional)
What to do:
Remove the skin and seeds from the melon, chop the flesh coarsley.
Push the flesh through a juice extractor or blend until mushy
strain the juice into a large jug and stir in the lemonade and cordial
Just before serving add a small whik to each glass to use as a stirrer as the juice will separate on standing!
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Chocolate Malted Milk Milkshake
What you will need:
1/3 cup (40g) malted milk powder (Horlicks is a good choice)
1/3 cup (80ml) chocolate flavoured ice cream topping sauce
1 cup (250ml) chocolate ice cream
2 1/2 cups (625ml) milk
Ice cubes to serve
What to do:
Blend all the ingredients together until smooth and serve over ice
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Strawberry Milkshake
What you will need:
250g strawberries, chopped
2 cups (500ml) milk
2 scoops strawberry ice-cream
1/2 cups (125ml) strawberry flavoured ice-cream topping sauce
What to do:
Blend or process all ingredients together until smooth, serve over ice if wanted
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For the more sophistocated palate: Strawberry Ice Punch
What you will need:
250g Strawberries, sliced
1/2 cup (110g) caster sugar
pink food colouring
1 egg white, beaten lightly
1 litre (4 cups) chilled apple and strawberry juice
1 litre (4 cups) chilled mineral water
1 litre (4 cups) chilled lemonade
What to do:
Place one strawberry slice into each hole of a 12 hole ice cube tray. Fill with water, freeze
Combine sugar and a few drops of food colouring in a plastic bag and rub together until sugar in coloured pink
Place pink sugar on a saucer and place egg white on another saucer
Dip the rim of each glass into the beaten egg white and then into the sugar (you can use just water instead of egg white if you would prefer)
Just before serving, combine the juice, mineral water and lemonade in a large serving bowl, tint pink with a few drops of colouring. Ass strawberries and strawberry ice cubes, serve
Tropical Fruit Punch
What you will need:
425g canned sliced mango in natural juice
3 cups (750ml) tropical fruit juice
300g finely chopped pineapple
250g finely chopped strawberries
2 tbsps finely shredded fresh mint
1 tbsp caster sugar
3 cups (750ml) ginger ale
What to do:
Strain the mango over a small bowl, reserving the juice
Chop the mango slices finely
Combine mango and reserved juice in a large bowl with the tropical fruit juice
Stir in the remaining ingredients
Refrigerate the punch for 2 hours before serving, add ice if wanted.
Jungle Slush
What you will need:
12 kiwi fruit (approx 1kg)
3 1/2 cups ice cubes
3 cups (750ml) chilled kiwi mix fruit juice
What to do:
Peel kiwifruit, quarter lengthways, remove the core and as many seeds as possible
Just before serving, blend the kiwifruit, icecubes and juice until almost smooth, pour the slush into glasses to serve
Watermelon Raspberry Juice
What you will need:
4kg watermelon
3 1/2 cups (875ml) chilled lemonade
1/2 cup (125ml) raspberry cordial
12 mini whisks (one per child) (optional)
What to do:
Remove the skin and seeds from the melon, chop the flesh coarsley.
Push the flesh through a juice extractor or blend until mushy
strain the juice into a large jug and stir in the lemonade and cordial
Just before serving add a small whik to each glass to use as a stirrer as the juice will separate on standing!
Chocolate Malted Milk Milkshake
What you will need:
1/3 cup (40g) malted milk powder (Horlicks is a good choice)
1/3 cup (80ml) chocolate flavoured ice cream topping sauce
1 cup (250ml) chocolate ice cream
2 1/2 cups (625ml) milk
Ice cubes to serve
What to do:
Blend all the ingredients together until smooth and serve over ice
Strawberry Milkshake
What you will need:
250g strawberries, chopped
2 cups (500ml) milk
2 scoops strawberry ice-cream
1/2 cups (125ml) strawberry flavoured ice-cream topping sauce
What to do:
Blend or process all ingredients together until smooth, serve over ice if wanted
For the more sophistocated palate: Strawberry Ice Punch
What you will need:
250g Strawberries, sliced
1/2 cup (110g) caster sugar
pink food colouring
1 egg white, beaten lightly
1 litre (4 cups) chilled apple and strawberry juice
1 litre (4 cups) chilled mineral water
1 litre (4 cups) chilled lemonade
What to do:
Place one strawberry slice into each hole of a 12 hole ice cube tray. Fill with water, freeze
Combine sugar and a few drops of food colouring in a plastic bag and rub together until sugar in coloured pink
Place pink sugar on a saucer and place egg white on another saucer
Dip the rim of each glass into the beaten egg white and then into the sugar (you can use just water instead of egg white if you would prefer)
Just before serving, combine the juice, mineral water and lemonade in a large serving bowl, tint pink with a few drops of colouring. Ass strawberries and strawberry ice cubes, serve
UK Food Events for July 2011
Waterloo Quarter Food Festival
30 June to 31 July 2011
In and around Lower Marsh, London SE1
A trip to Waterloo in July promises to be a real taste explosion as the area’s many restaurants, pubs and shops throw open their doors in a month-long celebration of food and drink. Visitors can expect a tasty line-up of free events, demonstrations and exclusive offers as well as evening food fair on 30 June. Entry: Free
www.waterlooquarter.org/foodfestival
Mortimer Country Food Fair
Saturday 9 July 2011
Manor Farm Barns, BRAMPTON BRYAN, Herefordshire, SY7 0DH
Fourth annual Mortimer Country Food Fair. Over 50 exhibitors, purpose-built demonstration kitchen, children’s activities, outstanding selection of local food, drinks and crafts producers headlined by best-selling, Herefordshire author John Lewis-Stempel with this year’s theme: Wild Food. Great day out on the borders of Herefordshire and Shropshire where England meets Wales! Entry:£1.00 + free carparking
www.mortimercountryfoodfair.co.uk
Isle of Man Queenie Festival
1-3 July 2011
Port St Mary, Port Erin, Gansey, Isle of Man
The Manx Queenie - otherwise known as a queen scallop - is a real delicacy, trumpeted to the skies at this particular food event. There's masses on including fishing tours, seafood BBQs, sailing lessons, live music and lots of activities centred around the beach and a demonstration from Henrietta Green.
www.queeniefestival.com
The Hampshire Food Festival
Friday 1 - Sunday 31 July 2011
Over 80 different events held at numerous venues across Hampshire
July is jam-packed with over 80 delicious events held in celebration of the fantastic food and drink grown, reared and produced in Hampshire! Join farm tours, walks, open days, cookery and producer workshops; watch cookery demonstrations by Hampshire and celebrity chefs; visit country shows and indulge in Festival menus.
www.hampshirefare.co.uk/food-festival
Sheffield Food Festival
4-10 July 2011
Various locations across the city, including Sheffield city centre, S1 2HH.
A celebration of all things food and drink in Sheffield, with cooking demonstrations, tutored tastings, urban farm and picnics, and much more. Most events are free. Some ticketed events, check website for details.
www.sheffieldfoodfestival.co.uk
Jane Grigson Trust and Oxford Symposium on Food and Cookery Memorial Lecture
Friday 8 July 2011
St Catherine's College, Oxford
The Jane Grigson Trust and the Oxford Symposium on Food and Cookery 2011 announce that Memorial Lecture will be given on Friday, 8 July at St Catherine's College, Oxford. The lecturer is Richard Wrangham, Professor of anthropology at Harvard University, and author of "Catching Fire: How Cooking Made Us Human." This celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Symposium, whose theme this year is "Celebrations", and also the 20th anniversary of the Jane Grigson Trust. Tickets for the lecture and drinks reception after are £10 or free for those who also book to attend the Symposium's Friday evening dinner (£60 including wine) at St Catherine's, supervised by Shaun Hill of the Walnut Tree Inn.
http://www.oxfordsymposium.org.uk/
Get Active Wandsworth Festival
Saturday 9 – Sunday 24 July 9 2011
Tooting Common, London
The Get Active Wandsworth Festival is the perfect opportunity to find out about local sports clubs, organisations and community groups and gives you the chance to participate in a variety of sporting activities. Last year over 1,600 people took part throughout the two weeks, Matthew Wells - a Team GB rower - became the first festival ambassador and Mandeville the London 2012 Paralympic mascot attended the Get Active Day. This year the event will be even bigger and better and will include a small selection of FoodLovers Approved stalls selling great local and regional produce to eat on site.
http://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/active
World Peashooting Championships
Saturday 9 July 2010
The Village Green, Witcham, Cambridgeshire
Try your target skills at the World Peahsooting Championships in Witcham. You can buy your peashooter and peas there (although why not make your own?) and practice before trying to hit the 12" target 12 feet away. There's a BBQ, stalls and traditional family entertainment to keep everyone else occupied while you shoot. Entry on the day: Price £2 (£1 for juniors).
www.witcham.org.uk
Chilli Fest
Saturday 9th - Sunday 10th July 2011
Shoreham by the Sea
Chilli Fest (UK) will be held over 2 days giving people the chance to taste and enjoy all wonders of hot chilli products from all over the world. The event will host a variety of independent chilli traders & growers selling products including chilli plants & seeds, sauces, salsas and jellies, with tastings & eating in abundance. Entry: Free.
www.chillifest.net
Dorset Seafood Fetival
Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th July
Weymouth Harbouside, Weymouth, Dorset
The Dorset Seafood Festival 2011 is one of the largest in the UK . Combining celebrity demonstrations with 100 stalls selling a wide range of seafood dishes, the event attracted 50,000 visitors in 2010. This year’s line up includes: Mat Follas, John Wright, Lesley Waters and Ed Baines, Shaun Rankin and Giles Thompson.
www.dorsetseafood.co.uk
Brogdale Farms Cherry Festival
9-10 July 2011
Brogdale Farm, Faversham, Kent
Brogdale Farms Cherry Festival is great fun for all the family. The National Fruit Collection holds over 320 different varieties of Cherry. The Cherries with their difference in colour, shape and texture will leave crowds enchanted. You can also enjoy a live band, a summer bar, cooking demonstrations, horticultural talks, static falconry Display, Gun Dog display, children’s activities, miniature railway, BBQ, orchard tractor trailer tours & walks, horse drawn tours, archery, a craft market and more. Entry: £8.00 Adult £4.00 Child £20.00 Family
www.brogdalecollections.co.uk/fruit-festivals
6th Leigh Food Festival & Classic Car Display
Saturday 16th July 2011
Leigh Village Hall, Chetnone Road, Leigh, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 6HR
Tasting and buying of the best food from local producers, including Alweston Jam and Chutney Empire, Bridfish, Brokewood Farm, Dorset Blue Cheese and Soup Company, Easy Beans, Filbert Bees, Fudges, Leakers Bakery, Longmeadow Organic Vegetables, Olivesetal, Reads Coffee Roasters, Sauces of Choice, Scrumptious Secrets, Sherborne Castle Estate Wines, and Somerset Cider Brandy Co. Barbecued Hamburgers & Sausages, Refreshments, Ice cream, Beer and Cider will be here! Entertainment includes children’s activities, cookery demonstrations and Musical Entertainment. Entry: Adults £2, Children under 15 free.
Glynde Food & English Wine Festival
Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th July 2011
The Glynde Food & English Wine Festival is a celebration of the best food and English wine producers from Sussex and surrounding counties. The festival is set in the beautiful grounds of Glynde Place, a 16th century country house in the heart of the South Downs.
Entry Fee: Adults £8.50 or £7 online; OAPs - £7.50 or £6 online; Students - £6 or £5 online; Children under 12 are free
www.glyndefoodfestival.co.uk
Pylewell Park Food & Drink Festival
Saturday 23 - Sunday 24 July 2011
Pylewell Park, Lymington, Hampshire
The Food & Drink Festival will take place within the stunning grounds of Pylewell Park in the New Forest. There will be a FoodLovers Approved area, an International Food-to-go arena, cookery demonstrations and theatre from celebrity chefs, horticultural and garden displays and a varied production of performing arts, both contemporary and classical.
www.newforestfoodfairs.co.uk
National Cherry Day
Saturday 16th July 2011
Celebrate National Cherry Day on 16th July in association with CherryAid - FoodLoversBritain.com's campaign to save the British Cherry. There will be lots of activities and events going on around the country.
Let us know if you have a Cherry-themed event or idea by contacting office@foodloversbritain.com or 020 8969 0083. Click here for more information...
Oundle Food Festival
Saturday 16th July 2011
National Cherry Day: 40 stallholders in the Market Place from 08.30am, amid musicians and dancers to create a fun, lively atmosphere. Fabulous cookery demonstrations with an emphasis throughout the Festival on showing that high quality produce can not only lower the environmental impact but also lower your food bills.
www.oundlefoodfestival.co.uk
Gloucester Quays Food Festival 2011
22nd, 23rd and 24th July 2011
Gloucester Quays, Saint Ann Way, Gloucester GL1 5SH
Gloucester Quays hosts a unique Food Festival this summer
with celebrity chefs Gino D’Acampo and James Martin showing off
their culinary skills live in the Cookery Theatre Saturday (Gino)
and Sunday (James). The 3-day Festival centres around a Great Taste
Market with speciality food producers and fresh local produce. There’s
an arts and crafts fair, a masterclass cookery workshop, plus
live music and entertainment throughout the weekend. Entry: The festival is FREE. A £5 (plus 95p booking fee) is applicable for the Live Cookery Theatre on Saturday for Gino D’Acampo and Sunday for James Martin.
www.gloucesterquaysfoodfestival.co.uk
Heston Blumenthal and British Airways Food Protege Competition
Deadline - 27 July 2011
Michelin-star restaurant owner and chef Heston Blumenthal is searching for an up and coming chef to mentor on an exclusive project with British Airways. With support from Heston, the successful candidate will produce a bold British menu to serve millions of customers on board British Airways’ flights in the run up to and over the Olympic Games. Prospective candidates can apply until 27 July 2011 through the BA Great Britons Programme. Clcik on the link below for further details and an application form
www.ba.com/greatbritons
International Cheese Awards
Wednesday 27th July 2011 (Public show day)
Dorfold Park, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 8LD
At this year’s International Cheese Awards you can taste the very finest cheeses from all over the world, and then watch our special guests celebrity chefs James Martin (Saturday Kitchen) and Gino D’Acampo (This Morning) prepare their favourite cheese dishes on our live stage. A great family day out, as part of the Nantwich & South Cheshire Show you will also see superb cattle, sheep and poultry being judged, great horses being tested, beautiful displays of flowers, fruit and vegetables, as well as the latest in modern machinery. Entry: Advanced tickets- Adults £13,£9 OAPs, Junior £4 (under 5s are free), Family Ticket: 2 Adults & 3 Children £35. On the day- Adults £18, £13 OAPs, Junior £7 (under 5s are free).
www.internationalcheeseawards.co.uk
The Big Cheese
Friday 29th - Sunday 31st July 2011
Owain Glyndwr Playing Fields, Crescent Road, Caerphilly, CF83
The town of Caerphilly comes to life as people of all ages come to The Big Cheese - an extravaganza of street entertainers, living history encampments, music, dance, traditional funfair, folk dancing, falconry, fire eating, minstrels, troubadours and much more. Admission is FREE - to find out more visit:
www.caerphilly.gov.uk/bigcheese
30 June to 31 July 2011
In and around Lower Marsh, London SE1
A trip to Waterloo in July promises to be a real taste explosion as the area’s many restaurants, pubs and shops throw open their doors in a month-long celebration of food and drink. Visitors can expect a tasty line-up of free events, demonstrations and exclusive offers as well as evening food fair on 30 June. Entry: Free
www.waterlooquarter.org/foodfestival
Mortimer Country Food Fair
Saturday 9 July 2011
Manor Farm Barns, BRAMPTON BRYAN, Herefordshire, SY7 0DH
Fourth annual Mortimer Country Food Fair. Over 50 exhibitors, purpose-built demonstration kitchen, children’s activities, outstanding selection of local food, drinks and crafts producers headlined by best-selling, Herefordshire author John Lewis-Stempel with this year’s theme: Wild Food. Great day out on the borders of Herefordshire and Shropshire where England meets Wales! Entry:£1.00 + free carparking
www.mortimercountryfoodfair.co.uk
Isle of Man Queenie Festival
1-3 July 2011
Port St Mary, Port Erin, Gansey, Isle of Man
The Manx Queenie - otherwise known as a queen scallop - is a real delicacy, trumpeted to the skies at this particular food event. There's masses on including fishing tours, seafood BBQs, sailing lessons, live music and lots of activities centred around the beach and a demonstration from Henrietta Green.
www.queeniefestival.com
The Hampshire Food Festival
Friday 1 - Sunday 31 July 2011
Over 80 different events held at numerous venues across Hampshire
July is jam-packed with over 80 delicious events held in celebration of the fantastic food and drink grown, reared and produced in Hampshire! Join farm tours, walks, open days, cookery and producer workshops; watch cookery demonstrations by Hampshire and celebrity chefs; visit country shows and indulge in Festival menus.
www.hampshirefare.co.uk/food-festival
Sheffield Food Festival
4-10 July 2011
Various locations across the city, including Sheffield city centre, S1 2HH.
A celebration of all things food and drink in Sheffield, with cooking demonstrations, tutored tastings, urban farm and picnics, and much more. Most events are free. Some ticketed events, check website for details.
www.sheffieldfoodfestival.co.uk
Jane Grigson Trust and Oxford Symposium on Food and Cookery Memorial Lecture
Friday 8 July 2011
St Catherine's College, Oxford
The Jane Grigson Trust and the Oxford Symposium on Food and Cookery 2011 announce that Memorial Lecture will be given on Friday, 8 July at St Catherine's College, Oxford. The lecturer is Richard Wrangham, Professor of anthropology at Harvard University, and author of "Catching Fire: How Cooking Made Us Human." This celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Symposium, whose theme this year is "Celebrations", and also the 20th anniversary of the Jane Grigson Trust. Tickets for the lecture and drinks reception after are £10 or free for those who also book to attend the Symposium's Friday evening dinner (£60 including wine) at St Catherine's, supervised by Shaun Hill of the Walnut Tree Inn.
http://www.oxfordsymposium.org.uk/
Get Active Wandsworth Festival
Saturday 9 – Sunday 24 July 9 2011
Tooting Common, London
The Get Active Wandsworth Festival is the perfect opportunity to find out about local sports clubs, organisations and community groups and gives you the chance to participate in a variety of sporting activities. Last year over 1,600 people took part throughout the two weeks, Matthew Wells - a Team GB rower - became the first festival ambassador and Mandeville the London 2012 Paralympic mascot attended the Get Active Day. This year the event will be even bigger and better and will include a small selection of FoodLovers Approved stalls selling great local and regional produce to eat on site.
http://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/active
World Peashooting Championships
Saturday 9 July 2010
The Village Green, Witcham, Cambridgeshire
Try your target skills at the World Peahsooting Championships in Witcham. You can buy your peashooter and peas there (although why not make your own?) and practice before trying to hit the 12" target 12 feet away. There's a BBQ, stalls and traditional family entertainment to keep everyone else occupied while you shoot. Entry on the day: Price £2 (£1 for juniors).
www.witcham.org.uk
Chilli Fest
Saturday 9th - Sunday 10th July 2011
Shoreham by the Sea
Chilli Fest (UK) will be held over 2 days giving people the chance to taste and enjoy all wonders of hot chilli products from all over the world. The event will host a variety of independent chilli traders & growers selling products including chilli plants & seeds, sauces, salsas and jellies, with tastings & eating in abundance. Entry: Free.
www.chillifest.net
Dorset Seafood Fetival
Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th July
Weymouth Harbouside, Weymouth, Dorset
The Dorset Seafood Festival 2011 is one of the largest in the UK . Combining celebrity demonstrations with 100 stalls selling a wide range of seafood dishes, the event attracted 50,000 visitors in 2010. This year’s line up includes: Mat Follas, John Wright, Lesley Waters and Ed Baines, Shaun Rankin and Giles Thompson.
www.dorsetseafood.co.uk
Brogdale Farms Cherry Festival
9-10 July 2011
Brogdale Farm, Faversham, Kent
Brogdale Farms Cherry Festival is great fun for all the family. The National Fruit Collection holds over 320 different varieties of Cherry. The Cherries with their difference in colour, shape and texture will leave crowds enchanted. You can also enjoy a live band, a summer bar, cooking demonstrations, horticultural talks, static falconry Display, Gun Dog display, children’s activities, miniature railway, BBQ, orchard tractor trailer tours & walks, horse drawn tours, archery, a craft market and more. Entry: £8.00 Adult £4.00 Child £20.00 Family
www.brogdalecollections.co.uk/fruit-festivals
6th Leigh Food Festival & Classic Car Display
Saturday 16th July 2011
Leigh Village Hall, Chetnone Road, Leigh, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 6HR
Tasting and buying of the best food from local producers, including Alweston Jam and Chutney Empire, Bridfish, Brokewood Farm, Dorset Blue Cheese and Soup Company, Easy Beans, Filbert Bees, Fudges, Leakers Bakery, Longmeadow Organic Vegetables, Olivesetal, Reads Coffee Roasters, Sauces of Choice, Scrumptious Secrets, Sherborne Castle Estate Wines, and Somerset Cider Brandy Co. Barbecued Hamburgers & Sausages, Refreshments, Ice cream, Beer and Cider will be here! Entertainment includes children’s activities, cookery demonstrations and Musical Entertainment. Entry: Adults £2, Children under 15 free.
Glynde Food & English Wine Festival
Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th July 2011
The Glynde Food & English Wine Festival is a celebration of the best food and English wine producers from Sussex and surrounding counties. The festival is set in the beautiful grounds of Glynde Place, a 16th century country house in the heart of the South Downs.
Entry Fee: Adults £8.50 or £7 online; OAPs - £7.50 or £6 online; Students - £6 or £5 online; Children under 12 are free
www.glyndefoodfestival.co.uk
Pylewell Park Food & Drink Festival
Saturday 23 - Sunday 24 July 2011
Pylewell Park, Lymington, Hampshire
The Food & Drink Festival will take place within the stunning grounds of Pylewell Park in the New Forest. There will be a FoodLovers Approved area, an International Food-to-go arena, cookery demonstrations and theatre from celebrity chefs, horticultural and garden displays and a varied production of performing arts, both contemporary and classical.
www.newforestfoodfairs.co.uk
National Cherry Day
Saturday 16th July 2011
Celebrate National Cherry Day on 16th July in association with CherryAid - FoodLoversBritain.com's campaign to save the British Cherry. There will be lots of activities and events going on around the country.
Let us know if you have a Cherry-themed event or idea by contacting office@foodloversbritain.com or 020 8969 0083. Click here for more information...
Oundle Food Festival
Saturday 16th July 2011
National Cherry Day: 40 stallholders in the Market Place from 08.30am, amid musicians and dancers to create a fun, lively atmosphere. Fabulous cookery demonstrations with an emphasis throughout the Festival on showing that high quality produce can not only lower the environmental impact but also lower your food bills.
www.oundlefoodfestival.co.uk
Gloucester Quays Food Festival 2011
22nd, 23rd and 24th July 2011
Gloucester Quays, Saint Ann Way, Gloucester GL1 5SH
Gloucester Quays hosts a unique Food Festival this summer
with celebrity chefs Gino D’Acampo and James Martin showing off
their culinary skills live in the Cookery Theatre Saturday (Gino)
and Sunday (James). The 3-day Festival centres around a Great Taste
Market with speciality food producers and fresh local produce. There’s
an arts and crafts fair, a masterclass cookery workshop, plus
live music and entertainment throughout the weekend. Entry: The festival is FREE. A £5 (plus 95p booking fee) is applicable for the Live Cookery Theatre on Saturday for Gino D’Acampo and Sunday for James Martin.
www.gloucesterquaysfoodfestival.co.uk
Heston Blumenthal and British Airways Food Protege Competition
Deadline - 27 July 2011
Michelin-star restaurant owner and chef Heston Blumenthal is searching for an up and coming chef to mentor on an exclusive project with British Airways. With support from Heston, the successful candidate will produce a bold British menu to serve millions of customers on board British Airways’ flights in the run up to and over the Olympic Games. Prospective candidates can apply until 27 July 2011 through the BA Great Britons Programme. Clcik on the link below for further details and an application form
www.ba.com/greatbritons
International Cheese Awards
Wednesday 27th July 2011 (Public show day)
Dorfold Park, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 8LD
At this year’s International Cheese Awards you can taste the very finest cheeses from all over the world, and then watch our special guests celebrity chefs James Martin (Saturday Kitchen) and Gino D’Acampo (This Morning) prepare their favourite cheese dishes on our live stage. A great family day out, as part of the Nantwich & South Cheshire Show you will also see superb cattle, sheep and poultry being judged, great horses being tested, beautiful displays of flowers, fruit and vegetables, as well as the latest in modern machinery. Entry: Advanced tickets- Adults £13,£9 OAPs, Junior £4 (under 5s are free), Family Ticket: 2 Adults & 3 Children £35. On the day- Adults £18, £13 OAPs, Junior £7 (under 5s are free).
www.internationalcheeseawards.co.uk
The Big Cheese
Friday 29th - Sunday 31st July 2011
Owain Glyndwr Playing Fields, Crescent Road, Caerphilly, CF83
The town of Caerphilly comes to life as people of all ages come to The Big Cheese - an extravaganza of street entertainers, living history encampments, music, dance, traditional funfair, folk dancing, falconry, fire eating, minstrels, troubadours and much more. Admission is FREE - to find out more visit:
www.caerphilly.gov.uk/bigcheese
Fast Food Baby: Feeding the next generation
How has something as essential and natural as feeding our children become so difficult and fraught with problems? It’s not surprising that parents are faced with such a tough job, what with so many confusing and conflicting messages about what and how to feed our children, not to mention being faced with endless varieties of plastic packaged foods that lure us with five-a-day or 100% fruit slogans. My thoughts and feelings on this subject were reinforced by watching BBC Three programme Fast Food Baby.
Saying that “if they don’t eat what’s on offer, they don’t get anything else, and they’re not going to starve” isn't an easy philosophy to adhere to, especially when there are so many emotional and psychological triggers involved with feeding a small child, particularly one who’s been very ill early on in life.
Even without a catalyst like an illness, feeding can still be so riddled with anxiety and guilt. At Some classes often parents readily admit to caving into their toddlers demands or control over food simply because they want them to eat something, or not wake in the night hungry or be grumpy later on. I also understand and sympathise with this dilemma struggling over mealtimes. Incidentally there’s some great advice and support at The Infant and Toddler forum.
There is a wide range of issues that can’t simply be resolved with a quick-fix rule. A child surviving on bread and yoghurt due to severe reflux can suffer real anxiety when faced with new or different foods. This needs a more sensitive approach, but there can be a resolution. Messy play and food exploration can help, according to Dr Catherine Dendy, a clinical psychologist and feeding expert who worked on Fast Food Baby. During the programme a little boy, called Michael, was followed who had suffered with meningitis. With him something interesting happened.
During the classes it was discovered that Michael enjoyed raw beetroot! The family also learnt the importance of involving their son in food and mealtime preparation and making it fun, so that Michael became more familiar with the new foods that were later presented on his plate and accepted them more readily. From an 18-month-old who drank a lot of milk and enjoyed fish, chips and sips of coke, Michael’s food repertoire quickly expanded to include vegetable soups, dried fruit, parsnip, cucumber and bananas, and broccoli became a firm favourite!
So how do we address the balance and make sure we are all providing the next generation with the foundations for a healthy balanced life? Try some of these tips and let me know how you get on or what works for you and your children in the comments section below.
Top tips for parents from Dr Catherine Dendy and Lucy Thomas of Mange Tout
Saying that “if they don’t eat what’s on offer, they don’t get anything else, and they’re not going to starve” isn't an easy philosophy to adhere to, especially when there are so many emotional and psychological triggers involved with feeding a small child, particularly one who’s been very ill early on in life.
Even without a catalyst like an illness, feeding can still be so riddled with anxiety and guilt. At Some classes often parents readily admit to caving into their toddlers demands or control over food simply because they want them to eat something, or not wake in the night hungry or be grumpy later on. I also understand and sympathise with this dilemma struggling over mealtimes. Incidentally there’s some great advice and support at The Infant and Toddler forum.
There is a wide range of issues that can’t simply be resolved with a quick-fix rule. A child surviving on bread and yoghurt due to severe reflux can suffer real anxiety when faced with new or different foods. This needs a more sensitive approach, but there can be a resolution. Messy play and food exploration can help, according to Dr Catherine Dendy, a clinical psychologist and feeding expert who worked on Fast Food Baby. During the programme a little boy, called Michael, was followed who had suffered with meningitis. With him something interesting happened.
During the classes it was discovered that Michael enjoyed raw beetroot! The family also learnt the importance of involving their son in food and mealtime preparation and making it fun, so that Michael became more familiar with the new foods that were later presented on his plate and accepted them more readily. From an 18-month-old who drank a lot of milk and enjoyed fish, chips and sips of coke, Michael’s food repertoire quickly expanded to include vegetable soups, dried fruit, parsnip, cucumber and bananas, and broccoli became a firm favourite!
So how do we address the balance and make sure we are all providing the next generation with the foundations for a healthy balanced life? Try some of these tips and let me know how you get on or what works for you and your children in the comments section below.
Top tips for parents from Dr Catherine Dendy and Lucy Thomas of Mange Tout
- Don’t force a child to eat a meal that they don’t like. This will make them like it even less! Instead, take the time to talk about and explore the components of the meal away from the table.
- Prepare a child for what’s to come on their plate. Children are suspicious if they don’t know what they’re eating; even if they are told how good it is for them.
- Never ask a child to eat, try or taste anything. Get them to explore the food by asking them to kiss, lick or crunch it instead. You are not tricking your child, merely asking them to engage with food in a more interesting way. If you ask your children who can do the loudest crunch in their celery they are more likely to bite it than if you say “here try some celery it’s really good for you!”
- Involve a child in the whole process. Take them shopping and touch the produce and explain where it comes from.
- Let them help you cook and be really involved.
- Get a little messy. Let them squash a tomato or squeeze an orange while you are cooking.
- A good way to explore vegetables that are disliked is to explore them raw and cooked. Many children do not enjoy the pungent smell of cauliflower, especially if overcooked, but small crunchy raw florets with hummus or a dip are delicious and very palatable.
- If you’re weaning your baby, a baby’s taste buds develop and change at an alarming rate and are most receptive between the ages of seven and twelve months. Keeping a baby’s food bland for too long can result in shocked reactions to stronger flavours.
- For children over three years introduce reward charts for enjoying five-a-day. Younger children will enjoy an immediate reward of a sticker on their top for participating. You can download a free chart from the Taste for Life website.
- Children and babies are great imitators, so set a good example! Remember that enthusiasm is key. If you would like to see how it’s done, watch this clip.
Thursday, 7 July 2011
Sloppy Dinners? Tell me what you think about school dinners ....
So I was looking through some helpful website to do with childrens school lunches and I came across information from the directgov.com. Have a read and see how much you agree with and how much our schools are failing our childrens basic need to eat nutritious meals.
Your child could qualify for free lunches or milk, or be given free fruit and vegetables at school. Local authorities must provide free lunches for eligible pupils, paid-for meals where requested and good facilities and supervision so pupils can eat safely.
School lunches
All food provided by local authorities must meet national nutritional standards. These ensure that children are provided with a healthy, balanced diet. The new standards, introduced in September 2006, require the following:- high-quality meat, poultry or oily fish regularly available
- at least two portions of fruit and vegetables with every meal
- bread, other cereals and potatoes regularly available
- deep-fried food limited to no more than two portions per week
- fizzy drinks, crisps, chocolate and other confectioneries removed from school meals and vending machines.
Further standards for food other than lunch were introduced in September 2007.
Free school lunches
Parents do not have to pay for school lunches if they receive any of the following:- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- the Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit, provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual income (as assessed by HM Revenue & Customs) that does not exceed £16,190
- Working Tax Credit 'run-on' - the payment someone may receive for a further four weeks after they stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
Apply for free school lunches
The local authority that maintains the school that your child attends is responsible for providing free school lunches. You can apply for free school lunches by following the link below and entering the details of where your child goes to school. You will be taken to the local authority website where you can find out more and/or apply online.Packed lunches
To help you pack a healthy balanced lunch for your child, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and the School Food Trust (SFT) have produced a list of tips and suggestions.Milk
Local authorities are not obliged to provide milk to pupils, but if they choose to do so, it must be free to those pupils who qualify for free lunches. Where schools choose to provide milk for pupils, the duty to provide free milk to eligible pupils is transferred to the governing bodies of former grant-maintained schools and grant-maintained special schools.European Community subsidy rules allow local authorities and schools to offer nursery and primary school pupils a maximum of 250 ml of subsidised milk a day. Under the Welfare Food Scheme, run by the Department of Health, under fives are eligible for free school milk. Claims should be made through your local authority.
Free fruit and vegetables in school
The School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme is a national government programme which gives all children aged four to six in infant, primary and special local authority maintained schools a free piece of fruit or vegetable each school day.If your child's school has chosen to take part in the scheme, your child will be given a free piece of fruit or vegetable at school each day.
I WOULD BE REALLY INTRIGED TO HEAR WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THESE GUIDELINES, DO YOU THINK THAT ALL CHILDREN SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO FREE SCHOOL LUNCHES, DO YOU BELIEVE THAT SCHOOL LUNCHES REALLY ARE BECOMING MORE HEALTHY WITH A LIMIT ON THE UNHEALTHY FOODS? DO YOU INSIST THAT YOUR CHILD HAS PACKED LUNCHES SO YOU CAN MONITOR WHAT THEY EAT? WHAT ABOUT MILK, SHOULD ALL SCHOOLS PROVIDE MILK?
I have my views but would love to hear from you first so please get in touch!!
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