Juice Burst is a Hit With Schools

Posted on October 16, 2017 by Kesh

With so many healthy juices cropping up on our supermarket shelves daily, it’s hard to know what to actually go for. With many brands boasting their products are “100% natural” or “made from 100% fruit”, it’s difficult to know whether that means that they are actually healthy for us with many of these products largely exceeding our recommended daily sugar intake. Whats more, if we are picking ones that are indeed full of the good stuff, how many are there that actually taste good?! Well, we went in search of something that checked the healthy and tasty box and was also approved by schools and found you Juice Burst. Juice Burst not only promise a juice drink which is one of your five a day, they also claim to be the ‘tastiest juice drink on the planet.’

So, “what’s so good about Juice Burst?” you say; Juice Burst not only come in a variety of thirst-quenching flavours, they were one of the first manufacturers to produce a school approved range stocked in 1 out of 3 schools in England. The product contains no artificial sweeteners and includes 1 of your 5 a day. The flavours are carefully considered and picked to give you more than just average flavours including; Pink Lemonade, Tropical and Orange Passionfruit to name a few. Our personal favourite, Sour Cherry.

To find out more including where to buy Juice Burst, check out www.juiceburst.com

The GoodFather: Becoming a Dad For the First Time Without Losing Your Mind, Changing Your Identity, or Emigrating by Lee Price

Posted on October 16, 2017 by Catherine Balavage

A humorous and well written book on becoming a father. Has some good advice- and some bad: like do not buy a nappy bin or wet wipes, seriously, do not listen to that part- and many great insights and advice. It will make you laugh. Buy it for the dad to be in your life, but have a flick through yourself as it is funny and has some great tips.

Part-diary, part-guide, part-warning – The GoodFather is a light-hearted but invaluable look into the world of first-time fatherhood.

Detailing the author’s eye-opening path of discovery, the book charts his journey (alongside that of his partner and their baby) as he goes through pregnancy for the first time. The nuggets of information he picks up along the way, the tips to help smooth the process for all parties, and the precious opportunities to bank some brownie points, are all detailed.

This isn’t your typical lecture on pregnancy and fatherhood, rather a real, tangible, honest account of what will happen, and how to survive it.

In this book:

> Learn essentials such as key dates, what happens at maternity appointments, what to pack for the hospital, and how to avoid blowing your cash on needless baby tat.

> Dig into an A-Z terminology guide to help you navigate the ridiculous amount of jargon that comes with being an expectant father.

> Get up-to-speed on baby milestones and size guides, some painfully-learned maternity shopping advice, and the importance of good snacks.

> Oh, and a chapter about sex. Don’t get your hopes up. Seriously.

> This book also features regular ‘real parents tips’ from mothers and fathers whose comments haven’t been passed through some rose-tinted filter.

The Author. Lee Price is an award-nominated national print journalist and published sportswriter. Previously of Shoot! magazine, and a feature writer at The Sun newspaper, Lee is currently ‘PR & Mischief Champion’ at Paddy Power. Lee has written a number of previous titles including: FIFA Football: The Story Behind The Video Game Sensation, The Bundesliga Blueprint: How Germany became the Home of Football and Turning My Back on the Premier League.

The GoodFather: Becoming a Dad For the First Time Without Losing Your Mind, Changing Your Identity, or Emigrating by Lee Price is available here.

Half term approaches – what to do, what to do… by Milly Adams

Posted on October 16, 2017 by Margaret Graham

Scamp Theatre present Stick Man

Leicester Square Theatre – Saturday 21 October 2017 – Sunday 7 January 2018

This joyful adaptation of Children’s Laureate Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s bestselling book, Stick Man, returns to Leicester Square Theatre for another enchanting festive adventure. Touching, funny and utterly original, Scamp Theatre’s (Tiddler & Other Terrific Tales, The Scarecrows’ Wedding) fantastic production features a trio of top actors and an hour of fun for all the family.

Leicester Square Theatre, 6 Leicester Pl, London WC2H 7BX http://www.leicestersquaretheatre.com/

Spun Glass Theatre present Princess Charming

Ovalhouse Tuesday 24 – Saturday 28 October, 2.30pm

A cabaret for kids. Some boys like pink. Some girls like football. Whatever. It’s time to sing, shout, stamp, dance, dress up, and be ourselves. Princess Charming explores gender stereotypes for children aged 7-11 in a fun, questioning and celebratory way using a variety of acts and toys, skits and dressing-up. Join in with Spun Glass Theatre’s cabaret extravaganza!

Ovalhouse, 52-54 Kennington Oval, London SE11 5SW

www.ovalhouse.com, 020 7582 7680

Mouths of Lions present Dr Zeiffal, Dr Zeigal, and the Hippo That Can Never Be Caught!

Ovalhouse

Tuesday 24 – Saturday 28 October, 2pm

Help the forgetful Dr. Zeiffal catch the crafty Hippo with her patented Hippo Instruments. Bring your hippo catchers and your hippo google goggles, because Dr Zeiffal has most likely lost hers! Expect belly laughs, belly flops, surreal slapstick and fantastical falling over in this interactive family comedy created by Mouths of Lions.

Ovalhouse, 52-54 Kennington Oval, London SE11 5SW

www.ovalhouse.com, 020 7582 7680.

Bringing Back That Old Looks After Giving Birth

Posted on October 15, 2017 by Frostie

After giving birth, no matter how difficult was your labor; it’s only natural to take it slow with everything. This especially goes for bringing back your old-self before the birth of your child. For the past nine months, your looks have drastically changed, as it should according to the laws of Mother Nature. Getting back in shape will require your patience and some time as to get the best results. There is no need to rush with fitness routines and diets, on the contrary, the best results are achieved in a long run.

Therefore, here are some tips on how to get back in shape after giving birth:

Start with baby steps

Little by little, some easy-to-do activities can help you begin with the workout. Before six weeks have passed, it is not recommended for women who gave birth by a C-section to engage in any sports activities. Generally, they can start with workout only after bleeding has ceased. Don’t urge yourself to start right away with the intensive workout, but rather start with baby steps. Some simple activities like walking or yoga only a couple of months after giving birth are a good idea.

Listen to your body

Always listen to your body because it knows just what type of pressure it can handle. With crunches, you might put the pelvic floor under a lot of pressure which can lead to health issues later one. Pilates is not the best choice either. Do an exercise that will make the muscles of the pelvic floor stronger e.g. Kegel exercise. You can do this on a daily basis. If the abdominal separation occurred, consult a health care specialist on how to proceed with the physical therapy.

Breastfeed and burn calories

No need to give your baby its bottle just yet. Actually while continuing to breastfeed, your body will burn a staggering number of calories. Some studies suggest loosing up to 500 calories only by breastfeeding. In addition to this as being a fast weight loss method, breastfeeding will help to tighten the uterine muscles as well. Therefore, while breastfeeding, along with caring for your baby; you will be taking care of the weigh. When you think about it, it’s a win-win situation, for you and for your baby, too.

Even at home, make yourself at the gym

Needless to say, since the baby has come, your free time has never been so limited. After you find a balance between sleep time and baby time, try to find some free time and use it to work out in the comfort of your home. Motivate yourself with the right sports equipment like the yoga tights & pants by Lasculpte . With the right outfit, you will be able to move easily and keep track on your progress. Nowadays, exercising at home has never been easier with online workouts tutorials. Not to mention that you can even find various healthy diets and recipes.

The power of protein

Protein is considered as an energy booster because it helps to obtain muscles mass. It is often recommended to mothers who are breastfeeding as well as to pregnant women. Using it can help you not only build mass but lose calories, too. Therefore, protein powder for weight loss is a quite effective weapon in this battle. When buying a protein powder, make sure it doesn’t contain sugar substitute. Always consult your doctor about which protein powder you should use and do not neglect to get your regular protein intake from food e.g. fish, eggs and meat.

Getting back in shape

Getting back in shape is indeed a hard work, physically and emotionally. One thing that you have to remember is that it’s all about patience and taking it slow in the beginning as to get the optimal results later on. So, take your time. Listen to your body and act according to it. Start with your workout at home. Get your energy up with enough protein intake. Many women tend to put themselves under pressure in order to look like a red carpet celebrity just a couple of months after giving birth. Never fall for that. Indeed, it’s a hard task to get back in shape, but being a full-time mom is even harder.

By Ian Pearson

Hape Swimmer Teddy Wind-up Toy Review

Posted on October 13, 2017 by Frostie

Frost loves this adorable wind up bath toy. It is cute and makes children giggle and squeal in delight. A great little bath toy. It is easy to use, just wind it up and watch it go. It has fast become a favourite of the Frost toddler.

With Swimmer Teddy Wind Up Toy watch the adorable little teddy do his thing as you wind him up and watch him go round and round for entertaining delight. Children can enjoy the magic as Mr Teddy performs his swimming tricks.

With Hape Little Splashers bath time will never be the same again!

All Hape products are created using non-toxic finishes, water based paints and only the highest quality child safe materials. So, while your child enjoys hours of fun, you have peace of mind knowing they are gaining essential skills for the years ahead.

Suitable for 12 months +, £12.89 from Amazon

Highlights from the Knitting & Stitching Show 2017

Posted on October 12, 2017 by Aidan

The Knitting and Stitching Show 2017 is on this weekend (until Sunday 15th October) and it is so much fun. Having spent a day immersed in creativity and inspiration, it’s hard to pick the top ten highlights, but I’ve had a go at doing just that. And so, in no particular order, here they are…

Gorgeous pompom rug by Multipom, who sell pompom kits that can make up to 20 pompoms in one go (presumably, you have to be in the room at the time).

A fantastically realistic embroidered beetroot (apologies for the glass glare) courtesy of the Royal School of Needlework

A wild 3D ram’s head, brought to you by Quillting Antics.

Buttons that look almost good enough to eat – they are the work of hours of wool felting by hand and foot on the part of Sophie’s Wild Woollens.

My personal favourite – a chance to add your name, in embroidery, to the Campaign for Creativity in Schools (craft doesn’t seem to be all that high on the agenda of the national curriculum, and this petition is working to make it so).

A lifesize needlefelt hen (you know you want one) made by the geniuses at The Makerss, who are holding a workshop to make a large felted animal in the New Year.

Delicious felt squares in watermelon shades, by 21st Century Yarns.

More needlefelting by one of the leading names in the field (pun intented), Fi Oberon – see her giving an introduction to the craft here.

The best faux flowers I’ve seen to date – big South African beaded ones made by street sellers in Johannesburg and sold in the UK by Best of African Design.

And finally, a fantastically detailed and nostalgic ‘book cover’ by Sara Rickard, created for the Embroiderer’s Guild Exhibition.

Get down to The Knitting and Stitching Show at London’s Alexander Palace if you can – there are some great bargains to be had and it’s amazing to have experts right there to answer your questions. There must be more inspiration per square metre here than just about anywhere else I can think of. Till next year, when I hope to have completed my needle felt dachshund, my crochet cushion cover, my knitted socks and a jumper made with bargain wool from the show.

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Mother!

Posted on October 12, 2017 by Richard Warburton

If you are the kind of person that gets twitchy when a hot cup of tea is plonked beside, instead of on top of, a perfectly good coaster then Mother! is not the film for you. It is the tale of a frustrated poet (credited as Him) and his house-proud wife (credited as mother) living in an idyllic country house. He spends his time not writing while she noodles about sploshing muted Farrow and Ball tones on various walls of their chic wooden dwelling. Her domestic goddessing routine is upset when strangers start arriving and, crucially, not leaving however many times she screams “Get out.”

An unknown couple stay over at the behest of the poet followed by their bickering sons. What follows is rather like watching an episode of Grand Designs in reverse. Strangers begin to arrive at the house in greater numbers as the film initially plays out as a home invasion horror. The mother’s show home is steadily ruined as hordes of the poet’s acolytes descend on them, literally tearing the house down. The film unfolds like the kind of nightmare where you are entirely impotent to events going on around you. mother dashes from room to room straightening rugs and emptying ashtrays only to find a new group of hell raisers have arrived.

Critical chatter around this film has been mixed, with a good deal of words devoted to the allegory that the film purports to represent. The sharp-eyed among you will have noticed that the poet’s credit is Him with an upper case h while mother and everyone else including ‘man’ and ‘woman’ are all lower case. Yes, we are in God territory here. Javier Bardem is God, Jennifer Lawrence is Mother Nature., the house the Garden of Eden. The first two strangers to arrive, Ed Harris and Michelle Pfeiffer are Adam and Eve, the sons Cain and Abel etc. The destruction of the house is the pollution of the world and so goes the allegory.

If Mother! feels burdened by a need for interpretation it succeeds in being a nasty and very difficult film to watch – which is a good thing. Director Daren Aronofsky is tapping into his previous work with the bristly paranoia of Black Swan and the way the camera is often stationed just behind Lawrence’s shoulder as it did behind Mickey Rourke’s in The Wrestler. The choreography and escalation of the violence and horror make for a deeply uncomfortable second hour as Aronofsky tightens the umbilical cord he has wrapped around your neck. That Mother! chases its own tail will come as no surprise for some. However, you may well share the sentiments of four unlikely geysers sat to my left. As the credits rolled one of them queried, “What was the f****** point of all that?” What indeed?

Best Day Ever By Kaira Rouda Book Review

Posted on October 12, 2017 by Catherine Balavage

Best Day Ever ticks all of the boxes for what people want in a thriller these days: an unreliable narrator, domestic discord, and enough twists to keep you guessing. A tense domestic suspense novel, a zoomed through this novel at a quick pace, always wondering what was going to happen next. It is superbly written and keeps you hooked until the last page. The novel takes place over 24 hours and has an unreliable male narrator, two things which make it different. A great novel from USA Today bestselling author Kaira Rouda. Read it now. Our Day In The Life with Kaira Rouda is here.

Paul Strom has spent years building his perfect life: glittering career, beautiful wife, two healthy boys and a big house in the suburbs.

But he also has his secrets. That’s why Paul has promised his wife a romantic weekend getaway. He proclaims this day, a warm Friday in May, will be the best day ever.

Paul loves his wife, really, he does. But he also wants to get rid of her. And with every hour that passes, Paul ticks off another stage in his elaborately laid plan…

Best Day Ever is available here.

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