Pebble Gear review by Natalie Jayne Peeke West Country Correspondent

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At the risk of sounding old fashioned, I often find that the toys and games I used to enjoy in my childhood are overlooked by my children, I used to have hours of fun with felt farms or a spirograph and I think the most hi tech toy I had was my beloved Furby.

These days children have tablets which have hundreds of games, videos, books and other popular apps like Netflix and YouTube.

I do err on the side of caution and had my son’s tablet set up in a child friendly mode; however this does not stop from him seeing adverts or being able to make in app purchases. He spends far to much time on his tablet playing Minecraft which has no academic aspect to it what so ever.

 

So you can imagine my excitement when I was contacted about a completely child friendly tablet,  with a bumper case to protect from the inevitable drops and a cute carry case.

Of course, I had to set it up, so was this to be a stumbling block. Not at all,  all I had to do was enter my email address and my WiFi password and I  I was able to limit the amount of time my daughter was able to play on the tablet.  I could also download some games and books for her which are without adverts. Everything that i could download was completely child friendly and there was no way she could see inappropriate content.

With the books, some have the audio option, which she enjoyed during a car trip. She was happy to listen and not look at the screen.

Another bonus is the icons and wallpapers; there are several different character options available when buying your pebble gear:Frozen 2, Cars, Toy Story or Mickey & Friends – which is what we received.

I wish I had known about these sooner as I would have bought one for my son for Christmas rather than the tablet that we did get him. I can not recommend them enough.

For more information: https://uk.pebble-gear.com/

New Parenting Book to Get Kids Talking

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A new, illustrated, hardboard book has been launched to aid and develop children’s speech.  Published by Little Frog Media, DeeDee and DanDan’s Busy Day is an interactive reading book that has been written by parents of a late talking child.

books to help children with their speech, speech therapy, interactive reading, deedee and dandan's busy day,

Following extensive research into how best to support and encourage their son’s vocabulary, Aneta and Mariusz Wojcik established that reading to their son Daniel was the ultimate way to help, but they still weren’t getting the results they were anticipating.

 

After speaking with a friend who studied English literature, they quickly understood that the problem wasn’t what they were reading but the frequency and how they were reading with their son.  The couple learnt that making a story interactive and engaging for a child assists vocabulary retention and they started tounderstand the importance of word repetition in different, yet similar, sentences.

 

They began to use these methods across a range of recommended books but never came across a publication that allowed them to deliver all they had learnt.  After seeing Daniel’s use of words grow through the techniques they were applying, Aneta and Mariusz decided to write their own book, which encompassed their learnings and knowledge to help other families.

 

Mariusz said: “Our eldest son was a bright two-year-old, but we knew his speech development was behind.  We understand that all children progress at different rates, but we were concerned and knew intervention was needed.  Mywife and I both studied mathematics, so we are natural investigators and wanted to absorb as much knowledge as possible to try to help our son.

 

“As we gained proof that our various techniques were working, we applied the formula and logic to every book we read with Daniel.  There was still a gap in the market though for a book which teaches parents all the elements they need to help aid their child’s speech development – so we decided to write one.

 

“The book gives you everything in one place, so you don’t need to think after a long day.  And with 38 pages and thousands of possibilities, no two reads are the same and the book grows with your child.  It also helps a child to build confidence and start actively asking questions. It is our hope that other families can now benefit from what we learned and, with the help of the book, can overcome any worries while supporting their own child’s speech development.”

‘I loved this book and so did my children. It is so well done and gets children interested. I cannot recommend it enough,’ Catherine Balavage, editor. 

Dee Dee and Dan Dan’s Busy day is priced at £9.99 and is available from Amazon and https://deedeeanddandan.co.uk/.

 

 

Surcare – Kind To Sensitive Skin – And Normal Skin Too – by Award Winning Author Dr Kathleen Thompson

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We’ve all heard of eczema – where your skin becomes itchy, dry, cracked and sore. It’s usually triggered by skin irritants, or, it’s an allergic reaction, such as to pet fur. Sometimes just eating a certain food can cause your skin to react too.

It’s a very unpleasant condition and can cause absolute misery, and it seems to be getting more common. According to the National Eczema Association between 10-13% of Americans have eczema. The British Skin Foundation tells us that one in five children in UK are affected by eczema at some time. Even more people complain of sensitive skin. Quite shocking really, but why is it becoming so rife?

It is almost certainly multifactorial, but not all causes are beyond our control. Although we usually think about what we apply directly to our skin – moisturisers, shower gel and such, we may forget that residues of laundry products on clothes and sheets are in close contact with our skin 24/7.

So it’s important to choose laundry products carefully, and to hunt out companies like Surcare, who have done much research to create skin-kind products. Surcare’s product development expert, Claire Lancaster explains:

‘Everybody is different and everybody’s skin is different – which is why pinpointing specific ingredients that could be irritating the skin can be a bit of a minefield.

‘We’ve spent years researching how the skin reacts to certain things – including ingredients that are commonly used in laundry products, which can affect sensitive skin when clothing and fabrics come into contact with your body.

‘Many washing detergents and softeners will contain fragrances, dyes, acids and enzymes which can easily irritate sensitive skin. In fact, fragrances can be one of the biggest triggers of flare ups.’

Consequently Surcare products are gentle for everyone, and particularly for those with sensitive skin or eczema – their complete range has the Allergy UK Seal of Approval.

You may worry that products for sensitive skin don’t clean effectively. After all, it’s good to have healthy skin, but if it means our clothes remain smelly, people may not get close enough to notice. I’ve used Surcare for a while now – both the Laundry Liquid, Capsules and Fabric Conditioner and my clothes come out clean, but without a strong artificial fragrance. Remember these added fragrances serve no good purpose and can be a serious trigger for eczema and other skin reactions.

Surcare also have a nice Washing Up Liquid – important as hands can easily become dry, sore and cracked with frequent exposure to irritants in some dish-washing products.

The Surcare range can be found in Sainsburys, Tesco, Morrisons, Waitrose and Coop – checkout the Surcare website for more information.

By Dr K Thompson, award-winning author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q

http://faitobooks.co.uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

Joffe offers a trip across the genres from crime to romance and does a good turn at the same time

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Get THE BLOOD OF CROWS by Caro Ramsay, an electrifying Scottish thriller for a bargain price.

After being called out to the river, DI Colin Anderson discovers a young girl chained to a ladder on the riverbank.

Once the tide comes in, there’s nothing he can do to save her.

Anderson thought things couldn’t get any worse . . . but an elusive criminal who goes by ‘The Puppeteer’ has other ideas.

Only 99p / 99c for launch. That’s half price for a limited time – don’t miss out.

Murder in the Stableyard by Roy Lewis

Arnold Landon is stuck grappling the complexities of who owns the Kilgour Estates.

The dispute is between Patrick Yates, who insists the estate is all his, and a black sheep of the family who returns home to state his claim.

Who is telling the truth?  99p/99

DISCOVER BILL KITSON’S GREEK ISLAND ROMANCE SERIES IN SUPPORT OF ELEPAP

We’re delighted to share a new venture from our author Bill Kitson this week. Bill’s self-publishing series of Greek Island Romances is out now and all royalties from this series will be going to CHARITY.

The royalties for this series all go towards supporting ELEPAP based in Crete, a non-profit focused on delivering a holistic therapeutic rehabilitation program for infants and children suffering from a number of developmental disorders. You can find out more about the charity, here.

Please do show your support for both Bill Kitson and ELEPAP today by buying The Greek Island Romance Series. Discover the whole series now!

Grand Trunk Road – A Foodie Voyage through Old India

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As we all start to awaken from our Lockdown slumbers and start to venture out into the wild and back into our favourite eateries, there’s no mistaking my social media has certainly being hijacked by people enjoying their socialising and dining experiences. Recently, this little gem, Grand Trunk Road kept popping up on my feed followed by nothing but praise from the numerous amounts of people I have seen posting about it. This spot looks particularly special and before the fomo kicked in I had to check it out for myself.

If Grand Trunk Road is the hidden gem of Woodford this is certainly the Koh-I-Noor of restaurants. Many of us can rattle off a host of fabulous Indian restaurants at the drop of a hat, but the most memorable ones are distinguished by giving their guests an experience to remember and that is exactly what Grand Trunk Road has done. It’s not surprising everyone seems to be raving about this place. 

Owned by the esteemed Michelin star winner Rajesh Suri, he tells me he wanted to create a dining experience which took guests on a  journey through India by taking a signature dish from each stop along the Grand Trunk Road. An educational one at that, he explained the origins of dishes that have somehow got lost along the way and his quest to bring the dishes back to their roots. 

 

Before we get stuck into the food, I must give a shoutout to the drinks list which is extensive. So if like me you prefer something a little more fancy than beer or house wine… look no further, the cocktails are a dream and also follow the journey of the Grand Trunk Road. We tried the Afghani Silk and a particular favourite, Masala Smash. We were told that the cocktails were specially created to match the flavours of the dishes with some spirits infused onsite to create the unique flavours that can only be achieved by tending to the process yourself. There is no doubt Suri is a stickler for detail and this shows through every stage of the guest experience. 

Our journey began where every Indian foodie does, Poppadum’s with a variety of accompaniments made fresh on site with seasonal ingredients. The Summer menu we’re told includes a carrot and raisin relish and one made with apricot and the unmistakable spices of cumin and coconut. A tropical delight and not a chunky onion in sight! Phew. This is definitely Indian food amplified and refined, beautiful and elegant and we haven’t even got to the appetisers yet. 

We sampled a few of the standout dishes from the appetisers, Sago Potato Cakes, Scallops and a Chapli Kebab. Each were served with their own signature chutney balanced by only someone with an extremely well versed palate. The flavours are subtle yet bold, yin and yang. The ingredients are quality there is no mistaking that. This is certainly quality over quantity with each mouthful delivering you a little gift each time.

The mains were outstanding too with chef making sure they wanted to balance the spices correctly instead of slapping you across the face with chilli. A plus for me as i’m not a huge fan of spicy hot food. This is Indian cuisine at its finest. We tried the Amritsari Butter Chicken and a Malai Prawn dish and both were out of this world. However, the standout dish had to be the Dal Bukhara essentially overnight Lentils with spices and fenugreek in a creamy sauce. The simplest dishes are most often the most delicious. Creamy, spiced well and comforting. I could have eaten a vat of it. Order this and thank me later. 

My guest was particularly impressed with the labelling of allergens on the menu itself. Speaking as someone with a wheat allergy this is still surprisingly hard to come across. This added a level of ease for the guests when looking for something Gluten or Dairy Free. We’re told GF Naan will be added to the menu in the future something which we will be certainly going back to try. 

The fine balancing continues not only with the way the food is flavoured but in the entire experience. The  quality of the food mixed with ambience of the restaurant is where the magic lies. Suri makes a point of delivering old school hospitality throughout his restaurant by having a dialogue with customers and hosting them the way you would have expected from days of yore. This, we witnessed was well received by the customers dining around us and left everyone feeling that extra bit special a task which Suri appears to have taken in his stride. With a Michelin star under his belt, expectations were always going to be high and you will most certainly not be disappointed.

 

What’s more, we noticed they had an outdoor dining area so if you’ve just come for a few cocktails with small plates, your wish is their command… 

 

I know i’ve said it before but i’ll say it again we will be back and i’m sure you will too. What a truly wonderful time we had at Grand Trunk Road and thank you to all of the staff who made everyone feel safe in their surroundings as restrictions start to lift once more. So here’s to hospitality and all of those who welcomed us back. 

Grand Trunk Road is located in South Woodford

For more info or to make ressys check out…

https://www.gtrrestaurant.co.uk

Conquer Your Fear: Why You Should Book That Overdue Dental Appointment

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Across Australia, it is reported that there are 5.7 million residents who are currently living with dental health issues. Various factors contribute as to why this total is so high, ranging from the lifestyle of the individual, how often a person brushes their teeth and also when their last visit to the dentist was.

However, there is an increasing number of adults avoiding booking an appointment at the dentist, with a significant portion not attending for many years. Whilst the reasons why vary from person to person, the most common reason is out of fear. Dental phobia is a common fear shared by many across the world, preventing many adults from booking to visit the dentist. According to Brisbane City Dentist, 1 out of 6 patients have dental anxiety.

For some, going to the dentist can cause them to feel slightly nervous, worried about what treatments will happen and what the dentist might say. These mild sufferers also highlight how going to the dentist is an unpleasant experience. Whereas for others, a trip to the dentist can trigger them to panic as they are terrified about sitting in the dental chair.

Regardless of the fear, getting to the route of why a visit to the dentist causes such distress and working towards overcoming it is essential. Aside from allowing a person to conquer a fear, it will also prevent them from potentially developing dental problems, some of which are more challenging to fix.

If you are one of the many Australians and beyond who have a fear of visiting the dentist, here are some tips on how to overcome that phobia and the importance of making regular trips to your local dental practice.

Ways To Help Conquer Your Fear

The best way to conquer your fear to find the source of what it is that is causing this dread around the concept of going to the dentist. Is it previous experiences? Use of needles? Embarrassment or the powerless you feel when sitting in the chair? Two of the best ways to help overcome these fears is through researching into the practice you will attend and communicate clearly with the dentist about your fears.

Research Into The Practice

If you have not attended a dentist for many years, you may find that you are no longer on their register. As such, you will have to re-register at the practice. For those that have moved to a new area, you will want to register at a new practice in your area. A simple online search for your local practice, for example, dentist in Brisbane, will bring you a few options including Pure Dentistry in Mt Gravatt. Practices such as this one work closely with their patients to ensure that they feel comfortable and secure during their visit.

In addition to this, read the online reviews written by previous patients about the practice. You might notice there is a common trend with patients who had dental phobia but felt comfortable during their treatment. Read this article from airoop on how to find a dentist.

Talk To Your Dentist

For many adult sufferers of dental phobia, the reason they are nervous is due to bad experiences in the past. This could be due to the attitudes of staff, the equipment that was used or the treatment they received. However, if you have not visited the dentists for decades, you will not be aware that some of the treatments you received or the equipment that was used, which has caused this phobia is no longer used in modern dental practice.

When attending your appointment, voice your fears and concerns to your dentist. Communicate with them what is making you nervous for the appointment, whether it be the treatment or for example, a fear of needles. By informing your dentist of what it is you are afraid of, they might be able to offer alternative ways to deliver you your anaesthetic.

Another option is by deciding on using a hand signal during the moments when you are starting to feel anxious or if you feel as though you need a break. Having a signal in place will mean your dentist knows how you are feeling but you can feel comfortable knowing that they are listening and taking into consideration your fears. This type of service can make a significant difference in how you view taking a trip to the dentist.

Issues That Arise By Not Visiting The Dentist

When visiting the dentist, it is recommended that you make the trip every six months. Although those without any problems are ok to visit once a year, those that do experience issues should visit more frequently, ideally every three to four months.

According to kids dentist Most dental problems are easily avoidable. Brushing at least twice a day, flossing, properly eating and, most importantly, having regular dental check-ups, are essential in ensuring that any dental health issues are prevented.

If you have not made the trip to the dentist for a while or thought about booking an appointment, these issues that can occur from lack of visits might change that.

  • Cavities – One of the most common dental issues that are a result of not visiting the dentist for a while are cavities. They are likely to occur for those who have not made the trip to the dentist for an examination or clean. Over time, the plaque, and bacteria in your mouth will have built up so much it will begin to slowly decay your tooth enamel. This will cause holes in the tooth, which can be an easy fix or a challenging one depending on the hole.
  • Bad Breath – Brushing your teeth and flossing will only help you so far. Over time, the buildup of bacteria, tartar, and plaque can, unfortunately, lead to you experiencing having unpleasant smelling breath. While using mouthwash will help to cover up the smell caused by a dental issue, it is only a temporary solution. Aside from being an unpleasant smell, bad breath could be an indication that you are experiencing a dental condition, such as cavities or gum disease. As such, it is best to go visit your dentist as gum disease can easily be spotted during your appointment.
  • Gum Disease – Maintaining healthy gums can easily be forgotten, especially when they are not causing you any issues such as pain or discomfort. Gum disease is incredibly common, with everyone at risk of developing it. However, those who are over 30 are the most at risk of developing some form of gum disease. Currently more than half of adults over the age of 30 are experiencing gum disease in some form. Brushing at least twice a day and flossing will help to prevent gum disease but taking regular visitors will be the most beneficial.
  • Tooth Stains – The gradual buildup of both plaque and tartar can cause more than just an increased risk of developing cavities and tooth decay. The longer you delay your trip to the dentist, the more you risk further staining your teeth – something which is not easy to remove with home whitening kits.

Avoid Waiting Too Long

It is important to not put off going to the dentist any longer than you already have. In doing so, you will put your oral health, as well as your general health and overall wellbeing at risk. Almost all dental issues that can occur are easily preventable with a trip to the dentist. A quick 10/20-minute appointment could help you achieve a perfect smile.

Collaborative post with our brand partner.

Mother Mother by Annie Macmanus: reviewed by Natalie Jayne Peeke West Country Correspondent

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Mary McConnell grew up longing for information about the mother she never knew, who died suddenly when Mary was only a baby. Her brother, Sean, was barely old enough to remember and their father numbed his pain with drink.

Now aged 35, Mary has lived in the same house her whole life. She’s never left Belfast. She has a son TJ who is about to turn 18 and is itching to see more of the world. One Saturday morning, TJ wakes up to find his mother gone. He doesn’t know where – or why – but he’s the only one who can help find her.

I love the old cliché “Don’t judge a book by its cover” and as an avid reader I try not to, but when I received my copy of Mother Mother I said to me other half “Wow look how pretty the cover is!”  He had the typical male response: “Mmm lovely…” argh men, but that’s a story for another time. Needless to say I couldn’t wait to see if the contents lived up to the ‘wrapping’.  Once I started reading however, I could not out it down.

Mary’s upbringing was full of strife with added loneliness as she selflessly took on the caring for  for her alcoholic father and her brother. With the POV jumping from Mary’s past, her present and the present of her son TJ, we are taken on a emotional journey of Mary’s life.

Mother Mother is very well written and is a powerful coming of age debut novel for this gifted author. It is an inspiring read  just when we all need to find light in dark places.

I look forward to seeing what other delights Annie Macmanus has in store.

Available in paperback, hardback, audio & ebook

 

Another Super Yummy Low GL Granola from Lizi’s – by Award Winning Author Dr Kathleen Thompson

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At Frost we love all of Lizi’s Granolas and Muesli – not just because they’re absolutely delicious, but because they’re good for us too – so no guilt at all involved.

Lizi’s not only select best quality natural ingredients, but, unlike many other granolas, their’s release sugars gradually. Having just buried my computer last week, I’m very conscious that sudden energy spikes are generally not a good thing – be it electrical in the case of my laptop, or blood sugar spikes after eating the wrong food. Sudden, steep rises in blood sugar can trigger inflammation, leading to heart disease, cancer and type II diabetes – and our body also reacts by sharply dropping our sugar levels to a very low level – making us hungry again.

So look for breakfast foods with a low Glycaemic Load (GL), meaning they release sugars into your blood slowly. Or if that’s too hard – just go to Lizi’s -all their breakfast products are low GL.

Lizi’s have such a large and fabulous range it’s worth browsing their website where you can order whatever appeals. However I must give a shout out for their latest Treacle & Pecan Granola. Yes I know, how can something boasting of treacle be low GL? But it is – truly, due to the wholegrain oats, a clever blend of different seeds, coconut and pecan nut pieces, all of which contribute to slow sugar release. The treacle only comprises 3% of the total, but, trust me, it’s enough to make it taste very naughty.

Lizi’s are also available at Ocado and Amazon, and they’re vegan-friendly too so go treat yourself.

By Dr K Thompson, award-winning author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q

http://faitobooks.co.uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.