Quick Food Rant

Did you know, food is really really bad for you!

"Not all food you idiot" I hear you cry, but yes, all food, all of it, everything, living on light is the only answer (and yes people do think you can live on light see here)

Or maybe air, but not food oh no, just look at this round up of food advice.

Protein is bad for you

Fat is bad for you 

Salt is bad for you

Sugar is bad for you

Grains are bad for you

Fruit is bad for you

Fruit juice is bad for you

Smoothies are bad for you


and so on, forever about every type of food ever.

By this time I expect you are so depressed you are reaching for a bottle of wine..uh oh, guess what

Alcohol is bad for you

I'm going to go and weep quietly in a corner with a bar of dark chocolate.

(It reminded me of the fabulous Kill or Cure Website.)

 I'm planning to ignore all this 'advice' and continue with a mixed diet and a little of what I fancy, will you be changing what you or your family eat?

Rug Doctor Carpet Cleaner - A review

We moved into our current home 12 years ago when DD was 2 and we had two terriers. The carpet in our lounge was already grubby looking but with a toddler and two dogs we decided to 'leave it for a while'.

12 Years later we have the same carpet. It is (was?) pale pinkish beige, it is an excellent quality wool blend and we have not enough disposable income to be able to afford to replace it with one of the same quality. Last weekend I had a bit of a spring clean and we discussed getting it cleaned.

Now I'm not sure if Rug Doctor are psychic or if, as was suggested on twitter, they have bugged our house,

@tattooed_mummy lol, they've either got your house bugged, or they could smell it from their offices and took pity... ;)
— L.A. (@lesleyannp1) June 21, 2014

lol, they've either got your house bugged, or they could smell it from their offices and took pity... ;)

but in the next email I opened I was invited to review a Rug Doctor carpet cleaning machine!

So of course I said yes! I knew it would work, they've been around for too long to not be good at what they do - I was more worried about how quickly it would dry (we had a few large items of furniture to remove and storage could be a problem!) and how easy it would be - I'm a klutz and imagined breaking the machine, spilling water and soap everywhere and causing a disaster of epic proportions.

I needn't have worried!

The Rug Doctor machine has easy to follow instructions all over it, including helpful 'idiot advice' like "NO! DON'T ADD WATER HERE!" Perfect! The bottle of cleaner has a measure printed on the side, the instructions are on the handle of the machine too, and in case I was still worried, there was a video and step by step instructions with pictures on the Rug Doctor website.

The hardest bit was emptying the cocktail cabinet (no not by drinking all the booze! it was full of antique glasses) and shifting the other furniture, like the two huge heavy sofas.


Once the room was empty (or half empty - it's a divided lounge/diner so I shifted everything up to one end) it was simplicity itself to fill the machine with cleaner and water and get going.

The carpet was left looking cleaner (not perfect - it is very old and there are some very very old stains on it) and the pile was really improved, it looked brighter and newer. Both my husband and I were really happy with the result. It was also only damp to the touch and as we did it on a really warm sunny day with all the windows open it was dry in a couple of hours, you can replace the furniture when it's a bit damp anyway - just protect wood things with some foil to stop damage/staining.

So then I could do the other end. No surprise that the water was filthy as I poured it out of the machine. Vile! It took a few refills to do each end of the lounge but the estimate of two rooms per bottle of cleaner was accurate. I can't stress enough how easy it was! So much better value than getting a professional cleaning company in too.

I will be doing it again next year. We no longer have dogs, and now have  a teen so maybe it will be less filthy next time? Here's hoping.

If you had been wondering if it was worth it I'd say yes. Clear the room in advance of collecting the Rug Doctor as rental is usually 24 or 48 hours. Do it on a hot sunny day in summer if possible. And be prepared to confront your filth!

No words

Find out where to hire a Rug  Doctor near you.

Disclosure - I was sent a Rug Doctor Machine to try free of charge, the filthy carpet and the opinions are my own.

Silent Sunday

Sugru - a rubbery review

Just before Father's Day  I was sent a pack of Sugru to review. I had never heard of this miraculous substance, and it was being sold to me as a perfect gift for Father's Day - after trying it out I would say it's the perfect gift for anyone!

It's a malleable plasticine like substance, that is sticky enough to adhere to pretty much anything and then...wait for it ...sets like rubber over night! I know! how cool is that!

There are too many uses, fixing fragile phone charging cables, tidying trailing computer cables, making little key hooks, adding grip to things, fixing metal pan lids so they no longer burn your hands...and I used some to turn an annoying slidey hanger into a useful clothes hanger!

It's great! It's heat proof, dishwasher proof, cold proof....I fear that like when I first got a laminator and laminated everything, now I shall be 'improving' everything with Sugru! It comes in various colours and you can even mix them to get shades to match what you are reparing. I'm already sadly addicted.

Sugru is available at B&Q and Wilko from £6.99 - no doubt you can get it elsewhere too.

Disclaimer - I was sent a pack of Sugru to try but the ridiculous enthusiasm for this product is all my own.

 Sugru is available at a wide range of retailers including B&Q, Wilko and Maplin, outdoor stores including Blacks and Ellis Brigham as well as online at sugru.com. Sold in packs of 3 uses from £6.99 and packs of 8 uses from £12.99, sugru is available in a variety of colours - red, yellow, blue, black and white, all of which can be blended to make any colour you like!

Only getting it twice a week

Copyright: claudioratti973 / 123RF Stock Photo

Obviously I'm talking about the most recent idea from our interfering overlords, about schools meals. And I'm referring to fried foods and pies.

My daughter is 14 and I'm fairly sure that if these rules are brought in at her school canteen then the children will just use the chip shop along the road on the three days that no chips are served. 

But even if the "fried food" twice a week maximum is applied at other schools, it's ridiculous. Why is fried food seen as unhealthy but macaroni cheese is not? I'm guessing a cheese dish has plenty of saturated fat, while chips can be fried in vegetable oils. (oh, hang on ... "we have introduced a new restriction on how often cheese can be served as the vegetarian option." from 'The Rules')  And a restriction on pastry? pastry?! Really? So quiche is out along with vegetable pies, fruits pies...(DD cried out "No strudel!" in horror)

I'm starting to wonder what will be left that children can eat, as a mum of a teen girl who is underweight and like many children worried about 'getting fat' I am concerned that this is going to adversely affect her.

Drinks with too much sugar are in the firing line too including fruit juice, but presumably diet drinks with aspartame will sneak through this unhealthily cordon? Water will be pushed as the best drink...good luck with that, if you have a fussy drinker prepare yourself for the inevitable cystitis when they go all day without drinking. Milk will also be promoted.

Bread crumbed food is classed as fried too apparently? Honestly it's the usual stupid interfering that in the long run won't change anything all it will do is anger parents and children, make it difficult for schools and cause bloggers to rage! (DD had confirmed they have oven cooked potato wedges often...) Crisps are also banned, as are all sweets, chocolate and cereal bars.

If the all powerful government want to really make a difference they will have to do better than banning things, they will have to actually look at what is healthy, create recipes and stick to them. (and take away some choice, like in the 'olden days' where the choice was take it or go hungry)

My daughter will continue to take a packed lunch, a habit we got into as local schools all had their kitchens removed in the 90s to save money (!) and no doubt many children will do the same, lunch box police not withstanding.

I don't have a problem with children eating healthily, when I was on the primary school PTA I actively campaigned for more fruit for the children and it was implemented very successfully, but I think it's about choice, making healthy the attractive option, not banning things. From experience forbidden fruit (or in this case forbidden junk) will become the preferred option for most children.

Banning things never works. Encouraging an interest in eating and new and interesting menus might (Jamie Oliver tried this technique but the government are now saying it's too complicated)

oh and tuck shops are out too. 

Do not get me started on the lack of playing fields, teachers car parks in play grounds and the banning of many 'active' kids games....

Becoming a woman

Yesterday's somewhat harrowing post about Female genital Cutting made me think. It seems unfair to just condemn a practice and culture totally without taking into account the importance of ritual in people's lives.

For many cultures, becoming a woman is a huge part of their life. A momentous occasion celebrated or marked with secret rituals or public parties. There can be all kinds of reasons, becoming a woman may be a time that your life changes in so many ways, maybe you are now ready to marry, or to have a say in group meetings. Maybe as a woman you can now cook and share stories, becoming part of a larger clan, leaving your childish ways behind.

It's not something we talk about much, but I really think if we want to end FGM we should look at other ways to mark an important time in a girl's life. No one wants to lose an important part of their culture, but they can change it. (I realise not all FGM happens after girls reach womanhood, it's just an example) Maybe a ritual washing of new babies? A secret woman only party for young girls? 

Read about how some Maasai women are changing things here.

In the west we seem to have left the importance of 'becoming a woman' far behind. We no longer put any emphasis on the first menstruation of a young woman, caring more about actual ages, 16 to get married, 17 to drive, 18 to drink...

Do you have a daughter? Will her first period be a time of celebration? Or will you ignore it? I like the idea of a female celebration, to represent the entry to adulthood.

There are even Period Packs, so I'm not alone in thinking it's an event to be marked!

Personally I favour a huge cake, a sad movie and a girlie mum and daughter evening snuggled on the sofa. (actually I favour this every month!)

What would you do? Or do you think I'm weird?

Because I'm a Girl

Every year, millions of girls across the world are at risk of FGM - Female Genital Mutilation. 

Also known as female genital cutting, it’s a practice dating back thousands of years, which involves the full or partial removal of a girl’s external private parts.  

It is mostly carried out on young girls, sometime between infancy and age 15, but has no medical or hygienic justification. 

It’s practised for a variety of complex cultural reasons including beliefs that it helps to preserve chastity, cleanliness and family honour, and that it prepares a girl for marriage.  

FGM is a global issue - in the UK, 20,000 girls are at risk this year. As part of Plan UK's Because I’m a Girl campaign they are calling for FGM to be eradicated.

I'm just going to wait while you reread that; especially " involves the full or partial removal of a girl’s external private parts."

Full. The full removal of a girl's external private parts. 

Plan UK is looking to eradicate this practice in a generation. You can help.

Watch this 38 second video. Share it. Don't keep quiet. Join the campaign




Plan's stance on FGM

"Plan believes FGM is a form of violence against women and girls and an abuse of human rights. FGM directly relates to traditions of unequal power between women and men, and is socially acceptable in communities where it is used to enforce discrimination and ensure the compliance of women and girls.

Our plan is to change that by supporting community leaders and governments in creating societies where inequality is eradicated and the human rights of women and girls are respected and celebrated."

British Summer - Cider Giveaway

British summer, the smell of strawberries, festivals across the countryside, birds chirping, sun beating down on your pink skin, the crack of leather on willow, a buzzard circling on a warm thermal...and a glass of iced spiced cider in a pub beer garden.

*Thunder*

*heavy rain*

Everyone runs inside. British summer, rain on the windows, soggy camping plans, a wet dog, shaking out your umbrella when you get to the pub. A warm glass of spiced cider in the nook and a game of darts.

You see how spiced cider made both scenarios lovely?

Well here's the thing. Haywoods Drinks have given me some Eliot's spicy cider to try, it's in a bag in a box, perfect for festivals (all 3L of it!) and it's delicious, reminded me of Glastonbury and the cider bus, I do love a mulled cider... and it's equally good over ice (I've tried both, it's a tough job but I think I'm up to it)

Eliot's are set to try and revolutionise the drinks industry, and move with the times and with peoples drinking habits, they are looking at a new drinks dispenser that would heat the cider as you served it! Great for pubs and parties, and they have started a social wave, and by supporting their Indiegogo campaign, you will be helping to develop the entire Eliot’s brand, including snacks, drinks and technology developments and be the first in-line for updates on the dispenser development and availability (est 2015). Do go and take a look, lots of opportunities for free stuff too! And the snacks sound nibblesome.

Haywood Drinks invite you to join the #eliotscrowd, and help to develop Eliot’s Drinks, a brand committed to the traditional Pub and Bar, as THE places to socialise, meet people, unwind and have fun as Brit’s have done for decades, centuries in fact!

And now the best bit. I have a 3L bag in a box of delicious Eliot's Spicy Cider to give away!! Yes really.
Obviously it's for over 18s only and you must reside in the UK

So use the RaffleCopter thingy below. The giveaway close on 12th July. see T&C for details

a Rafflecopter giveaway


You must leave a comment here and tell me which of of the Eliot's hot alcoholic drinks you'd most like to try next, and sign into the Rafflecopter thingy to be in with a chance, Rafflecopter randomly picks a winner, there are extra entries for tweeting etc.  Best of luck.

Camp Bestival News

For those that pop over to Tent Sniffing for Beginners, or those that follow me there it will be no surprise that I'm excited about going to Camp Bestival this year.

Having worried last year that DD and I might have outgrown it, it seems that Rob da Bank and the team are pulling out all the stops to ensure my every desire is catered for! So with this years theme being Circus, they have embraced the entire historical circus theme complete with Oddities (Ooh I may be able to wear my beard as the bearded lady! Exciting!) and bizarre science to confound and astound. It is with great joy I read 

"No circus is truly complete without a touch of magical miscellany, curious attractions and inexplicable distractions. And so, Camp Bestival’s most aberrant roustabouts have not only created an inspiring world of discovery with Oberon’s Observatory, the LEGO Imagination Factory and the Science Tent, but they’ve also brought together a breathtaking collection of oddities like Caravan of Lost Souls and Britain’s Not Got Talent that will enthral the whole family at Lulworth Castle this July 31-August 3."

What can this mean? I wondered... The caravan of lost souls? Sounds odd enough that I would love it!
Igor Rasputin’s Caravan of Lost Souls is an incredible ape-powered pop-up circus providing wondrous entertainment for your delectation and appreciation. Witness magic, contortion, hula hoop, mime, an amazing array of circus skills and more from this cabaret of curiosity, popping up in all four corners of Camp Bestival! Well that sounds PERFECT!

And Lego! Who doesn't love Lego (though with festivals having a ban on glass to protect naked feet running about I do fear a little for the parents creeping to the toilets at night "Oh bugger! I stood on a  Lego brick" we shall hear shouted in the dead of night)

Entering a world of discovery, we are extremely excited to announce that LEGO will be joining us to kick off the summer holidays in style, with the Imagination Factory. A celebration of ‘free build’, this magical environment will immerse you in the LEGO belief in the power of each individual’s imagination. Doubters might see a pile of bricks and accessories but ‘we’ see a jet fighter, a beautiful flower, an alien monster, our dog called Spike or the skyline of New York. The golden rule of The Imagination Factory is that there are no rules – no rights or wrongs – just inspiration to let LEGO enable you to build anything that your imagination can conjure up. 

And for the show offs, show men and show girls there is ...   the Showmany Calliope, a mixture of traditional fairground showman heritage, pyrotechnics, a full independently powered 4K sound system and a bowtop caravan themed stage, that will play host to the devilish Mosschops and Sidewicket’s Britain’s Not Got Talent. So, do you want to perform on the craziest stage of all time? Have you got a talent? Have you not got talent? We don't care, because we haven't; so anything goes! From Dutch didgeridoo dancing to skateboarding budgerigars; panpipe duets to five-year-old Frank Carson impersonators (keep it clean please), we need you! Terms and Conditions do not apply. 

I'm starting to plan what to wear now, and wondering about the rest of the CampBbloggers, I wonder what they are up to..

 

Silent Sunday 06/06/2014

This is my silent Sunday. I'm not linking up, because it doesn't strictly obey the rules.

Reading for Pleasure - Fahrenheit 451

I read Fahrenheit 451 (by Ray Bradbury) last week. I bought it after thinking about classic books I hadn't read, and as it was science fiction it was one of the most appealing of my mental 'classics list'.

I didn't know what I would find, wasn't sure what to expect, like many others (I suspect) I am put off reading any book that is rated a 'classic' as the word 'classic' automatically defaults to 'wordy and extremely boring' in my brain like a sort of literary autocorrect.

I read 1984 at school (in 1984 - I suppose the Exam boards just couldn't resist it) and loved it so I'm not sure why I'm so easily put off, I blame Thomas Hardy.

But I love science fiction, and I love the older style, I'm a big fan of Philip K Dick, Asimov and Philip Jose Farmer. So I started reading...

The novel presents a future American society where books are outlawed and "firemen" burn any that are found. The book is not boring, it is well written at at the beginning the pace is so fast I almost didn't notice the writing style at all! So caught up as I was in what was happening. As the pace slowed toward the middle though I began to notice the beautiful poetry of the writing, going so far as to read a paragraph to my family (several times, until they agreed it was beautiful!)

 “He could feel the Hound, like autumn, come cold and dry and swift, like a wind that didn’t stir grass, that didn’t jar windows or disturb leaf shadows on the white sidewalks as it passed.”

I was less happy with the ending of the book. It felt rushed and unsatisfying, but I might read it again in case I missed things. Over all I enjoyed the book and the theme. I bought a paper copy of the book as reading it on an E-reader seemed blasphemous considering the subject matter. I encourage you to read it if you have the chance. And encourage your teens to read it too - it will make for some interesting discussions.

Wikipedia Link to the book - warning may contain spoilers

Written for MamaMummyMum's Read With Me Linky

Britmums - See you there on Friday night?

A few of the mums that are going to Britmums live have written short blog posts of introduction. Here are a few as examples.

Britmums Live Linky

I'm only going to be at the Friday night awards ceremony (*excited BiBs finalist face*) and I shall be sober as I'm having to drive to and from the station, (*sad face*) but I shall be looking forward to meeting some of the lovely people I tweet with, and blog writers of the blogs I follow, and of course meet some new people too!

About me ; I am 48, married with one daughter the lovely dd, who is 14. I don't do glamorous, I do slightly scruffy and festival-chic. I like ball gowns in inappropriate settings, like fields and supermarkets. I may appear shy or snooty, I'm a bit snooty, but not shy once I get to know you. Do say hello.

 

I will be wearing a black maxi dress from "Everything five pounds" and yes, it was £5. I'll also be wearing my gorgeous tattoo necklace with my twitter user name on, which was handmade for my by the lovely Vicki at starsNscars.

I  shall look like this. (note nervous smile)

Can't wait to meet you!

Disclaimer : No one sponsored me for any of this, I shelled out hard earned cash....hence the five pound dress! I don't regret the necklace though, it's lovely. I won't be wearing the pith helmet, I bought a sparkly hairband/tiara in Accessorize instead.

Camp Bestival Has New Stuff!!!

As you know (if not why not) I have been blogging (daily) over at Tent Sniffing for Beginners, a countdown to Camp Bestival because I'm a bit excited to be going there this year as an Official Besti-Blogger!! I'm covering different topics each day, stuff like getting kids to sleep, mobile phones, food, security, lots of past festival pictures, a giveaway or two, loads and loads of stuff, do take a peek!

And Camp Bestival are sending me emails to make me even more excited (I hope I don' burst with joy before we get there!)

The latest exciting thing is that there are THREE new arenas! (and the return of an old favourite)

 Ringmaster Rob da Bank says: “*drum roll* Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, the team at Camp Bestival HQ proudly present for your delectation and wonder, a host of beloved and brand new venues! Please welcome to our circus arena the Travelling Barn, The Pigs Big Ballroom, Caravanserai and Project Wild Thing! 

 Our new venues are causing the family and I a huge wardrobe dilemma: we'll want camouflage face paint and explorer gear for the feral activities in the Dingly Dell with Project Wild Thing, cowboy boots and chaps for the all-family toe-tapping hoe downs in the Travelling Barn, dancing shoes and circle skirts to swing along to Greg's Greats in the Pigs Big Ballroom and vaudevillian circus outfits to explore Caravanserai! Can't wait to discover it all with the nippers and a different outfit on every half an hour! See you there.” 

I'm really excited about Wild Time with Project Wild Thing, who will have a village tipi based at the entrance to the Dingly Dell. I've always loved the dell area and getting back to nature is lovely so I'll be looking forward to exploring the listening spots in the woods, trying the creative nature writing sessions, wild story-telling, an un-nature trail, creature mask making, bird spotting (and stepping), shadow drawing, a perfect digital detox for screen addled minds, Camp Bestival are sure Project Wild Thing will help kids and their folks re-connect with the wild and they’ll help you take that habit back home. 

Ticket Info

Ticketline / 0844 888 4410 / www.ticketline.co.uk/camp-bestival

Adult Weekend Ticket (inc. camping) - £195 Adult Tickets are for anyone aged 18 or over on 31/07/2014

Student Weekend Ticket (inc. camping) - £180 Student Tickets are for Students with valid ID

Age 15 to 17 Weekend Ticket (inc. camping) - £113 Age 15 to 17 Weekend Tickets are for anyone aged 15 to 17 on 31/07/2014. These ticket holders must be accompanied by a Ticket holding parent or guardian over the age of 30*

Age 11 to 14 Weekend Ticket (inc. camping) - £88 Age 11 to 14 Weekend Tickets are for anyone aged 11 to 14 on 31/07/2014. These ticket holders must be accompanied by a Ticket holding parent or guardian over the age of 26*

* NB: All teens (aged 11 to 17) MUST camp in the same area as their families with a maximum of 2 teens per adult (over the age of 26)

Age 5 -10 Weekend Ticket (inc. camping) - £20 These ticket holders must be accompanied by a Ticket holding parent or guardian over the age of 21*

Age 4 and Under Weekend Ticket (inc. camping) - FREE (but ticket still required) Age 4 and Under Weekend Tickets are for anyone aged 4 and under on 31/07/2014. These ticket holders must be accompanied by a Ticket holding parent or guardian over the age of 21*

Camping Plus Plot - £125 Advance Car Parking - £11

Campervan Ticket - £72 per vehicle

Caravan/Trailer tent ticket (includes a car parking space) - £83

All Tickets:
- will incur a booking fee.
- are non-transferable and cannot be re-sold

They're Changing Guard at Buckingham Palace...

They're changing guard at Buckingham Palace -
Christopher Robin went down with Alice.
Alice is marrying one of the guard.
"A soldier's life is terrible hard,"
                                                                    Says Alice.

We went to London on Saturday, as we live on the coast it's up for us, not down, and we are neither called Christopher, nor Alice..I'm not sure where this is going except I recited this poem to DD when we were at Buckingham Palace, I feel if when you see this

and don't recite that perfect poem by A.A. Milne you are wasting everyone's time.

We were not in London to visit the Queen though, nor a little mouse under her chair. We were there to meet up with the simply marvelous totally barking authors that I met up with back in January but this time DD was coming along too.

First I went to John Lewis with £200 worth of vouchers that I'd won online burning the proverbial hole in my pocket. After an hour of um-ing and ahhh-ing and with help from DD I settled on a lovely chiffon dress in black, with a butterfly motif (£105 !! *faints*) and a White Stuff reversible cotton skirt with a bird patterm (£45) I also stocked up on 'my smell' (as DD calls it) Clarins Dynamisante (£32)

Then it was a rush to the pub, to meet for Lunch. We were late of course. We met at the Mayflower, the pub was charming, and after a brief confusion where I was upstairs and alone with Dd and a bottle of wine while everone one else was downstairs, we settled down to chatting about all sorts of odd things, books, food, women, sex, cats, watches...sometimes several from that list at once.

The food was delicious. The waitress put up with our happy mildly tipsy behaviour. No one danced on the table, or got naked, though Andy and Tony downed shots of Tabasco sauce to impress us. We were suitably impressed...and a little bit worried!

All in all the meet up was lovely (well I enjoyed it - I do hope the others did!) DD has declared all authors (but especially Andy Stanton and Anthony McGowan) 'barking' ... after the Tabasco affair I fear she has a point.

Emily, Tony, TM, DD

Sally, Andy and Jane

Later we walked back from the tube via Green Park and Buckingham Palace.

What a super day!