At Cornbury with Ecover

Wow, I had the most amazing time at Cornbury festival thanks to Ecover who gave Chris and I two VIP tickets to attend.

Its set in the Great Tew Estate in Oxfordshire, a music festival with a  real family, peaceful and the event has Ecover as one of the main sponsors.

 I made my way to the Feel Good area first to check out the fun and it certainly had a 'Feel Good' message.

I will be back  early next week with more gossip, pictures of the Feel Good workshops and my reflection on the festival but just wanted to update you with some of the sights from Cornbury and Ecover!

 The Ecover Feel Good Green

Signposting the Feel Good areas!

A real feel good family day out!

Pixie Lott on the main stage!

Disclosure: My post is based upon material (Two VIP Cornbury tickets)  provided free of charge for review purposes. I have not been paid or otherwise compensated to promote the topic, product or service reviewed in this post.

Pinterest I'm addicted

Is there a room where people cough and shuffle their feet in embarrassment as they all take their turn to stand up and say "My name is....... and I am addicted to Pinterest!"

I joined Pinterest straight away when the buzz hit Twitter and facebook. I even joined up, but I could not think what to do with my empty boards.

I looked at them and thought why would I want to trawl the net looking at pictures and pinning them to my Pinterest boards.

 I used to keep scrapbooks as a child and collect pictures of rooms I would like to have, clothes I would like to wear, hairstyles and food I wanted to eat. However the bug did not hit me and a few attempts at pins I just thought why would people want to look at my boards?

Then just before I went on holiday I saw a little competition tweeted and being an avid comper, had to have a go.

I re-pinned somebody's picture and put it onto a board I named competitions.

I was blissfully unaware, I was never going to win, I had committed my first mistake of pinning a fellow compers repin, similar to retweeting a competition tweet from an entrant not the brand.

It was a repin from the lovely comper Jane Willis, who never told me off, though she was probably aware!!

Jane is the fountain of wisdom for competition advice, she has some fab tips on her blog for compers, tweeters, FB'ers and Pinners. Just spotted a post on  entering rafflecopter giveaways, (handy for my blog.), so many people don't get entered!!

  See http://competitiongrapevine.blogspot.co.uk/ for handy tips.

While on holiday, I had a play, realised I was not pinning the competitions direct from the prize giver, determined to do it right and pin properly I started and a new addiction began. A week later I won my first prize and this week I have won again. I'm hooked!!

I started off with the competitions and now my boards are growing with more themes.

Some of my own boards

Competitions I like looking out for the the pin to win competitions, its nice to share them with others and its a place to pin ones that require a repin for the entry.

Wishlist Started to try to win a £50 Amazon voucher competition with the Super Lucky blog  www.superlucky.co.uk  The competition was held by the amazing comper Di Coke, the theme was creating a Pinterest board which had images of the prizes I would love to win, the competition is now over, but the Wishlist board is still a place I pin prizes I'd love to win.

Humour  I have found I like looking at the funny pictures and any that make me laugh go onto my humour board.

Exercise My exercise board is full of tips, advice, OK, OK,  its really ways to avoid exercise and a bit tongue in cheek.

Food Porn This is going to be filled with my own dishes and those I want to make, eat, drink or just drool over.

http://pinterest.com/jobryan1965/
Purple This is a new board and if you have a look  you will see its a board for a specific competition, which is actually a Rafflecopter draw, but for extra entries a purple board can be made on Pinterest, if you are interested go via the link below to have a chance.

http://www.superlucky.co.uk/2012/06/win-aspinal-of-london-clutch-wallet.html

Other boards have been set up to try to win prizes and if you take a look, you may find you want to take part too. Just make sure  you click on the pins not repin as it won't reach the prize giver.

A great one running at the moment by www.i-escape.com and its a chance to create your dream holiday, anything goes and you just pin images (5 from them and any other dream qualities, you would like your hotel break to have.)

If you are not on Pinterest I would be happy to send you an invite, just leave your email below. Not sure how many I can invite at a time, so it will be first come first served.

If you are already on Pinterest, please do follow me and I will follow back.

Happy Pinning, I warn you, its addictive.

http://pinterest.com/jobryan1965/

I'm Ecovers Blogger for Cornbury Musical Festival

Bringing the Feel Good factor to this year’s Cornbury will be innovative cleaning brand Ecover with their Feel Good Green.

I am really happy and very honoured that Ecover have asked me to attend Cornbury as their guest blogger and I have VIP tickets, this is the view from a special VIP garden at the front of the VIP tent.

Technology hitches aside, I will be there letting you know the highlights and will be bringing news and images back of what I hope will be a fabulous festival.

The line up is pretty impressive, James Morrison headlines on Friday, other artists that day are Pixie Lott, Alison Moyet, The Waterboys, Charlotte Church and many more. Saturday brings Elvis Costello to the main stage, Aloe Blacc, Macy Gray, Newton Faulkener and many more. Sunday Jools Holland finishes what looks to be a fabulous musical event.

My first priority will be to check out the Ecover Feel Good Summer area and bring you news of the goings on! 

Festival go-ers will be able to hang out at Ecover’s brand new festival experience and take time out for a spot of natural relaxation. And for those of you wanting to continue to dance the day away, you can also try out your dance moves on our Feel Good dance floor, where you can get up and shake your thing with some of the props from our new TV ads. The best dance moves of the day will be captured on camera and photos will be uploaded on the Ecover Facebook page. Go online go and tag yourself and your friends and be proud of your moves. Dance-offs will be positively encouraged!

Not wishing to stop the party-vibe there, Ecover will also be laying on dance workshops throughout the weekend at Cornbury www.cornburyfestival.com . These will range from learning the Waltz to the more active Zumba sessions. Led by our choreographer who will teach each of the moves in turn, the class will then come together at the end to perform the complete ‘Feel Good’ routine. Following a quick warm up, each session will last approximately 20 minutes and will burn off a few festival food calories.

For those who like something slower pace, Ecover will be providing moments of early morning meditation with yoga classes for the early risers. There will be two classes in the morning taken by a qualified yoga teacher, each lasting approximately one hour.

Mats will be provided while you take a class to the backdrop of a relaxing soundtrack. Classes will be suitable for beginners and afterwards, you can join the Ecover team for a healthy breakfast in the chill out area of the Feel Good Green.

Sessions can be signed up to 24 hours before, and festival go-ers should check Ecover’s Facebook page or twitter feed nearer the date of the festival for further details.

Visitors to the Ecover Feel Good Green will also have the opportunity to record just what makes them Feel Good on Ecover’s giant art letters which have been specially built for the festival. Brushes and paint will be on hand for budding artists to create a Cornbury masterpiece.

If that’s still not enough, we also wanted to give you something extra special.

Everyone is invited to enter the Feel Good Giveaway and the chance to win various great prizes such as the Boden wardrobe worth an amazing £2,000.

And of course, if you want to find out some more details about Ecover and Feel Good Cleaning then we have videos running on information pods, and the Ecover team will be on site and ready to answer any questions you may have. Plus, we’ll be giving out some handy festival samples of Ecover too.

Clare Allman, Ecover’s UK Marketing Manager comments: “We love Cornbury and this will be our year supporting the festival so we can’t wait to reveal our new Feel Good Green to festival go-ers at Cornbury for the first time ever this year. It’s not just creating products that make enjoying a healthy and sustainable lifestyle easy that makes us feel good – festivals also make us feel pretty good too. So that’s why we’ll be providing plenty of opportunities for festival go-ers to chill out, show us your dance moves, ask us questions as well as sharing with us a little bit of what makes you feel good too.”

Ecover’s products are made with no nasties. Using plant based and mineral ingredients, they’re great for sensitive skin and biodegrading completely means they won’t harm aquatic life.

Follow the activities taking place at the Feel Good Green on Twitter throughout the festival and via Facebook.

For more information on Ecover and its products please see www.the-splash.co.uk and www.ecover.com

GOSH Long Lasting Lip Marker Pens Review and Giveaway Ends 17th July

I feel like GOSH makeup and I will be friends for a long time, I have a makeup bag filled with their goodies and they are always bringing out something new to keep my interest. As I have said before the prices are really good and the products are worth the small amount.

GOSH have added to new shades to the Long last Lip Markers. £6.99 and available from Superdrug and online

www.superdrug.com

A soft rose perfect for summer, well if we ever see it, its a lovely blush pink and will go great to match all the pretty florals this season.

 My favourite of the two, the  Natural Brown is a lovely shade that has worked perfectly with my slight and I mean slight tan from holidaying in Cornwall.

The lip marker is long lasting, I went to St Ives shopping one morning, lunch and a drive to a beach, the lip marker was still on and only  needed a refresh by the time I was off out for a meal.

I like the precision of the nib type applicator, makes for ease and it goes on smoothly too, no dragging at all, what's also beneficial, is it does not dry out my lips, even better for warmer weather.

GOSH have offered 10 of my followers a chance to win one in in a shade of their choice , either rose or natural brown.

Just fill in the easy Rafflecopter below, refresh the page if you cannot see it.

Please note anonymous comments are fine, but  without a name that ties to the rafflecopter entry they  are impossible to match.

I do check for the comment so please if you really want to win, leave the same name as the rafflecopter entry.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

NEW for summer 2012 and exclusive to Superdrug stores nationwide and

www.superdrug.com.

L'Occitane Eaux de Cologne

Across the land of Provence, people will tell you that l’Aigo es d’Or*. Inspired
by the freshness of the fountains of Provence, L’OCCITANE has created its very
first collection of Eaux de Cologne.

Three rippling fragrances bring a splash of timeless freshness to those warm, sunny days.

I was sent a bottle of the Captivante and the scent certainly conjures up a French mountainside or Provence garden, its light summery and has a herbal fragrance. Chris liked it as a lighter alternative for summer, it came to Cornwall with us last week and was used everyday. I am keen to hunt out the new womens fragrances as I like zesty scent and the Eau Universelle sound a great one for Chris and I to share!

First, there’s EAU UNIVERSELLE, a zesty scent that owes its name to its
unisex nature.

Next, EAU RAVISSANTE, with its floral, feminine, sparkling notes.

The cologne offers a dazzling bouquet of floral aromas with fruity citrus notes. This mischievous fragrance combines the sensual softness of rose petals with the sparkling freshness of citrus fruits and contains the essential oils of Mediterranean bergamot and damascena rose.

Finally, EAU CAPTIVANTE, destined for men, with its aromatic and stimulating
tones.

These three olfactory worlds together form Eaux de Provence, a new tradition from L’OCCITANE.

*Water is gold

Launch June 2012

Prices:

Cologne 300ml bottle - £37
Cologne 50ml spray - £21
Shower Gel 250ml - £13

Stockist: 020 7907 0301

www.loccitane.co.uk

Tremendous Tomato Facts! Heinz Tomato Ketchup

I have tomato plants each year, I usually have a glut of tomatoes and try and find new ways to use them up, if I could master Heinz Ketchup I would.

I was always convinced sure there was a secret tomato variety that they grow, I was fascinated to learn that I was right.

I will give you a fact or two of my own first, Heinz have more interesting ones though.

World War 3 could break out if Heinz Ketchup is not in our fridge.

Paige takes sachets of Heinz to college with her.

I sulked when Chris and Paige wanted to put tomato sauce on one of my own recipes without trying it first...heathens!!!

Tremendous Tomato Facts!

Heinz has its very own varieties of tomatoes used in its tomato ketchup

Heinz Tomato Ketchup has a speed limit. If during manufacturing Heinz Tomato Ketchup pours unaided at more than 0.028mph, it’s rejected

Heinz Tomato Ketchup was originally called Catsup, derived from the Chinese word Koe-chiap

1876 – First secret recipe for Heinz Tomato Ketchup introduced by Heinz seven years
after the company’s foundation

Over 10,000 varieties of tomato exist: from tiny “tomberries” about 5mm wide (less
than a quarter of an inch) to the Ponderosa variety, which weighs over 1.5kg (over 3lbs)

La Tomatina is an annual festival in Bunol, Spain, where participants throw an estimated 150,000 tomatoes at each other over a week, purely for fun

Tomato seedlings have previously been grown in space. Heinz Tomato Ketchup has
been exclusively approved by NASA for use on the International Space Station!

Tomatoes are actually a fruit and not a vegetable

The largest tomato ever grown covers an area of 56.73 m² according to the Guinness
World Records

Heinz Tomato Ketchup contains a third of a tomato in every 15ml squeeze

There are so many varieties of tomato that they can be grown in just about any climate
(sandy, dry, moist, or salty) and in almost any soil

Tomato juice is the official state beverage of Ohio

Heinz Tomato Ketchup sells more than 70* million bottles each year across the UK alone making it the nations favourite ketchup

Silent Sunday

Get Your Game Face On - Euro 2012 team support by ideasbynet

A rather funny way of sporting Euro 2012 tattoos

Anatomicals The Hottie Tottie Is Never Spotty Giveaway Ends 16th July

Approaching skincare with a tongue-in-cheek attitude, Anatomicals who say they  ‘only want you for your body’ actually are very serious when it comes to making the products. Paige and I have been trialling 'The Hottie Tottie Is Never Spotty' its as with all the Anatomical range straight in your face with bright funky packaging and words to make you smile when the pimples and shiny skin may be getting you down.
I am peeved that I still get pimples, I mean its really not fair when the lines are setting in and the double unfairness is a plump spot on a wrinkle...why Mother Nature??

The new range is made up of four fabulous skincare saviours, each infused with the signature scent of strawberry and willow bark and designed to keep your complexion as fresh and clear as Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls.

The hottie tottie is never spotty here zitty zitty.  Featuring a light formula, this exfoliating scrub leaves the skin feeling soft and cleansed with a fresh subtle scent. For best results use twice daily.

Paige and I loved the scent of the scrub, its mild enough to use twice daily but to be honest we both used it occasionally just to smooth our skin and as we were using the Blitz your ZitZ to Bitz as well. We found it made our skin softer and really fresh feeling.

The Hottie Tottie Is Never Spotty blitz your zitz to bitz 150 ml £3.99
. Featuring a light formula, this moisturising face wash leaves the skin feeling soft and cleansed with a fresh subtle scent. For best results use twice daily.

This was lovely to use again great for bedtime as the scent is light and my face felt fresh and thoroughly cleansed.

The Hottie Tottie Is Never Spotty Blitz Pores & Phwoars! Shine Free Moisturiser 50ml £3.99

Featuring a light formula, this shine free moisturiser leaves the skin feeling soft and hydrated with a fresh subtle scent.

Paige has run off with this, on first application she got a slight tingling sensation and worried, so many facial moisturisers make her skin sting. She stuck it out as she commented it wasn't getting any worse. There was no further sensation and she has been using it daily ever since. He skin is shine free, so for her its really improved the oiliness. It has also improved the drier areas on her cheek bones.

The Hottie Tottie Is Never Spotty Easy Peasy No Squeezy Spot Roll On Treatment
  10ml £3.99

Featuring a non-sticky formula with salicylic acid, this spot treatment actively targets spots and blemishes while purifying pores. Easily absorbed, just apply to the affected area with the roller ball nozzle.

This has been been a favourite, handy and small to pop into a pocket and apply for the first feeling of a spot. Paige has been rolling it all around her nose as this is her most affected area.

The range has suitably impressed us, all the products are really good and Paige is more confident at keeping on top of her cleansing routine as she has much clearer skin.

Anatomicals have kindly offered two of the range for five Given To Distracting Other followers.

Fill in the easy peasy Rafflecopter below, refresh the page if its not showing!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Hottie Tottie Is Never Spotty range, available exclusively at Superdrug stores and www.asos.com.

Paige and I were given the four Anatomical products for the purpose of this review. No other payment was given for our opinion. 

Macaroni Cheese with Ham & Sweetcorn Philly Recipe

You may have seen the new holographic Philly lids on packs that remind me of cartoon cards I collected as a kid. The normal girl became Super Girl etc. Well the Philadelphia tub when tilted shows a recipe.

Mine is adapted to make a Slimming World Macaroni Cheese

I had already made this meal a few times,regular readers know I like sharing my best Slimming World Recipes and have tweaked mine to a) make more and b) make it Slimming World friendly.


Philly is a great friend of Slimming world members, perhaps Philadelphia know this. The Philadelphia Light is a recommended portion of calcium in a daily Healthy Extra A, the allowed portion is enough to use in some of the great recipes they have online.

I add a bit more pasta and veggies, courgettes and mushrooms are usually in the fridge. Peppers go really well too, bacon makes a nice alternative.

I forgot to add the sweetcorn.......oops. I am post holiday and wading through a list of things to do, I got as far as buying the sweetcorn, then it slipped my mind. This is what comes of making a recipe a few times, getting confident and thinking I don't have to read it again!

 I added the extras to turn the meal into six portions and keep within my 'Healthy Extra' allowance. Serving four its one
Although I am now maintaining a nice size 8 I still like my main meals to be healthy and non fattening so always add a third more veg and pasta.

The weight amounts below are for 4 people and the cost is less than Philadelphia state if you shop seasonally visit stores that have pasta and ham at cheaper prices.

I am a massive fan of Macaroni Cheese the rich heavy sauce and soft pasta, it is one of my all time comfort foods. However for a lighter alternative that is actually easier on the digestion and way easier than a bechamel sauce, I recommend the Philly version too.

Macaroni Cheese with Ham and Sweetcorn

Serves : 4

Times

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time:: 15 minutes

Slimming World Macaroni Cheese Recipe

Ingredients
 

300 g macaroni

150 g Philadelphia Light (2 HExA)

185ml semi skimmed milk ( 100ml is 1 1/2 syns, I count this as 3 syns, then round it up if serving 4 as 1 syn, erring on higher)

84g reduced fat mature cheddar cheese or mix of mature cheese and parmesan (2 HExA)

1 courgette diced

200g smoked bacon fat removed cut into squares

100g mushrooms sliced

Instructions
 

1. Preheat the oven to 190 C, Gas 5. Cook the macaroni according to instructions on pack. Whilst it is cooking mix the Philly with the milk and half of the cheddar.

2. Drain the pasta and return to the pan, mix with the Philly mixture, sweetcorn, ham and courgettes.
3. Turn into a greased ovenproof dish and top with the remaining cheese.

4. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes until light golden brown.

Thanks to http://www.philadelphia.co.uk/ for the inspiration.

Kindness Survey 1,000 free packs of goodies

A recent survey* commissioned by the small British bakery brand, Mrs Crimble’s has shown that while times may be tough, nearly nine out of ten of us would still rather experience an act of kindness than win £10 on the lottery.  The survey also revealed that 84% of people feel guilty about not being in touch as much as they’d like with the people they most care about. 

The ‘Share the Love’ survey from the much loved bakery brand also found that when asked about the kindest person they know, people were almost twice as likely to choose a woman over a man.  This adds weight to research carried out on 1,000 pairs of twins by Edinburgh University last year, which suggested that half of all women appear to be genetically predisposed to helping others compared to only a fifth of men.

As a result of the survey, Mrs Crimble's has launched the ‘Share the Love’ campaign to spread some kindness nationwide. 

 Anyone can nominate a deserving friend or relative by visiting www.letsbakelove.com.  Mrs Crimble’s are planning to send out 1,000 free packs of goodies every month including lots of Britain’s favourite macaroons, Bakewell slices and Double Choc Brownies.

Another way to be kind is to treat someone to a pack of Mrs Crimble’s pink Cranberry Macaroons – not only will they be much appreciated but Mrs Crimble’s donates 10p to Breast Cancer Campaign from every sale.

SNAPSHOT ON KINDNESS AROUND THE UK

Welsh - Too busy to be kind

More than two-thirds (67%) of people living in Wales say that a lack of time prevents them from being kinder. That figure is even higher than the number of Londoners (60%) who blame a shortage of time for not being kind more often.

South West - People appreciate kindness more than anywhere else in the UK
91% of people would rather experience an act of kindness rather than win £10 on the lottery.

Scotland - Kinder than English and Welsh

When British people were asked, ‘Who is the kindest person you know?’ 14% more

Scots were chosen proportionately than English or Welsh.

Northern Ireland - The only place in the UK where men are seen as being as kind as women

When people across the UK were asked, ‘Who is the kindest person you know?’, they were almost twice as likely to choose a woman over a man. However, in Northern Ireland 50% of people thought that a man was the kindest person they knew against 46% saying it was a woman (4% ‘didn’t know’ or couldn’t decide).

North West - Home to Britain’s kindest women

When the British were asked, ‘Who is the kindest person they know?’, they were almost twice as likely to choose a woman over a man. However, in the North West of England 74% of people chose women as the kindest person in their lives over a meagre 19% who chose men.

North East - Lack of money takes a toll on the North East’s kindness
45% of people in the North East (compared with only 29% in the North West) feel that a lack of money prevents them from being kinder – a significantly higher percentage than in any other part of the UK.

London - Kinder than we think

Only 9% of Londoners would rather win £10 on the lottery than experience an act of kindness.  That compares with 15% preferring to take the cash in Wales, for example.

* Mrs Crimble’s ‘Share the Love’ survey on kindness was carried out in March 2012 by GfK NOP, targeting a cross section of more than 1,000 people split geographically, by age, by socio-economic group and by gender.

Help Susanna Walk Appeal

A waiter who works at the Frankie & Benny’s restaurant in Widnes has a beautiful five-year-old daughter called Susanna who suffers from Cerebral Palsy. He and his wife are desperately trying to raise money to send Susanna to Missouri in the US for a life changing operation that will enable her to walk unaided. The operation has a 100% success rate. They have so far raised £15K but it’s been a struggle and there is a long way to go as they need £60,000 in total.

Frankie & Benny’s is determined to raise the money by the end of July 2012 and have promised that this beautiful little girl will walk properly like all of her friends. Frankie & Benny’s is embarking on a nationwide fundraising weekend on Saturday 30th June/Sunday 1st July in every single one of their restaurants where they will donate £3.95 from every child’s meal purchased as well as many other specific fundraising activities for each individual venue

.

 How you can help

 A Just Giving page has been set up where people can donate as much or as little as they can http://www.justgiving.com/helpsusannawalk and we would be ever so grateful if you could post the link on your blog (feel free to donate if you wish – whether a penny or a pound, every amount is worthwhile)

 What the money raised would do

The money raised will pay for Susanna and her family to travel to and from the States for the operation and the operation itself. It will provide accommodation for the family for a month following Susanna’s operation and further intensive physiotherapy.  It will also pay for further treatment and aftercare on her return to the UK and hopefully we will raise enough to also provide Susanna with some equipment to aid her speedy recovery. Susanna only has a short amount of time left whereby she qualifies for this operation, hence the need for immediate action.  By raising this money now, Susanna will hopefully have the operation in September and be recovering well by Christmas this year.  Just think how amazing it will be for us all to think we have played a part in ensuring it happens.

 For more information about Susanna and her family, you can visit the links below:

http://www.justgiving.com/helpsusannawalk

http://helpsusannawalk.com/

Lemon and Blueberry Cake

 I popped a picture of a slice of my cake about a month ago on Facebook, it was rather blurred and I quipped I hadn't time to focus, I needed to eat the cake. I was asked so many times for the recipe that I decided to add it here.

I lay no claim to the creation, its a BBC Good Food recipe but I do intend to change the fruit from time to time, so will swap blueberries for raspberries and orange for lemon. But the light and moist original cannot be beaten.

What is fabulous is that my favourite flavour lemon, is enhanced by moist plump blueberries.

To make this even more tempting is the all in one method, it all goes in together bar the blueberries. I invested a hefty outlay for my Philips Robust Food processor and have to make sure it gets used enough to warrant the cost.

The recipe is originally a mix by hand but it turns out the same with the processor, I used  the mixing blade for about 1 minute, adjust according to your own machine.

As I mentioned the blueberries are not mixed in, even at the end, you pour half the batter into your tin, (Note its supposed to be lined, mine is quite good so I dont do this, just a quick grease!) then sprinkle over half the blueberries. 

Cover with batter and sprinkle remaining berries on top.

They remind me of little jewels

My only changes then are using a food processor, not lining my tin, swapping the caster sugar, I had no golden originally when making and it turned out so well, I see no need to buy it.

I suggest loosening the cake after baking, then tipping out after cooling, if you have lined the tin, you should have no difficulty.

Cool completely at this point it is vital you do not get tempted to tuck in, the zesty iced topping is worth the wait.

175g softened butter , plus extra for greasing

100g  Greek yogurt I use thickset

2 heaped tablespoon  lemon curd

3 free range eggs

zest and juice 1 unwaxed lemon

200g self-raising flour

175g golden caster sugar

200g of blueberries

140g icing sugar

 

Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Grease a 2lb loaf tin and line with a long strip of baking parchment.

Put  yogurt,  lemon curd, the softened butter, eggs, lemon zest, flour and caster sugar into a large mixing bowl. Quickly mix until the batter just comes together. I used the processor, an electric whisk will be good ot lots of elbow grease.

Pour half the batter into the loaf tin and sprinkle half the blueberries over the batter. 

Add the rest of the batter on top, then scatter the other half of the berries on top. I press them in slightly no need to do it, I just like to fiddle.

Bake for 1 hr 10 mins-1 hr 15 mins until golden, and a skewer poked into the centre comes out clean.

Cool in the tin for about 10-15 minutes then carefully lift onto a serving plate to ice. Sift the icing sugar into a bowl and stir in enough lemon juice to make a thick, smooth icing.

Spread over the top of the cake, then decorate as you like.

Loch Fyne Smoked Salmon Club Sandwich

To celebrate Fathers Day Loch Fyne have offered Given To Distracting Others a gorgeous prize. One reader will  win a For Him Gift Box see more details and enter here.
http://given-to-distracting-others.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/loch-fyne-for-him-gift-box-giveaway.html

I am sharing one of the lovely recipes on the Loch Fyne site.

Loch Fyne Smoked Salmon Club SandwichA perfect afternoon treat and can be made using dinner party left overs!

Serves 4

Shopping List

12 slices white or brown bread

400g Loch Fyne smoked salmon

½ little gem lettuce

2 plum tomatoes finely sliced

4 slices cured ham, Parma or Prosciutto

Bamboo skewers

Egg Mayonnaise

4 soft boiled free range eggs

80g mayonnaise

Sea salt and freshly milled pepper

Loch Fyne Tartare sauce

Cooking Instructions

For the egg mayonnaise, boil the eggs for about 4 minutes, cool in iced water, peel and chop, mix in the mayonnaise and season, reserve

To make

toast the bread

Take your 4 base pieces of toast and top with slices of Loch Fyne Bradan Orach smoked salmon, spread on egg mayonnaise and a layer of little gem lettuce, lightly season

Add another layer of toast and press down gently, place on the cured ham followed by the tartare sauce and top with the tomato, season lightly

Finally top with the 3^rd layer of toast, press down lightly,cut into quarters and place a bamboo skewer through your sandwich quarters to keep them together

To Serve

Place on warmed plates with extra tartare sauce

Serve with chunky chips

http://www.lochfyne.com/Recipes/Main-Courses/Smoked-Salmon-Club-Sandwich

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY gift from Lush

Fathers Day is soon and Chris is always very jealous of my bath ballistics from Lush, this year he will be very pleased as I'm reviewing a couple of the products in the Fathers Day Gift set from Lush. However the ballistic smells so fantastic it may be pinched or at least make him share with me. Its full of seaweed for skin softening and I imagine will be lovely to lie in.

The shower gel is another gorgeous smelling product its fresh summery and clean smelling, I alwill be kind and leave this one for him as it is his special day after all.

I love the postcard and instructions on making a paper aeroplane, it will appeal to many Dads and something to share with their little ones or even bigger kids!!

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY gift from Lush

Lush’s new Happy Father’s Day gift set (£12.95) is the perfect choice to keep him looking and feeling fantastic this Father’s Day!  Whether Dad needs something to wake him up in the morning, an enjoyable long soak in the tub or a chunk of soap to keep him feeling fresh – this new gift has a trio of treats to spoil him.

Containing a Big Blue bath ballistic with lavender and lemon to revive his mind during a refreshing soak; a 100g bottle of the spearmint laden Dirty Spring wash shower gel that can be used to wash both body and hair; and a 100g chunk of our sea salt,lime and lavender Sea Vegetable soap, this gift is especially designed so that he can re-live his youth by using the postcard tag and wrap to make a paper aeroplane …or perhaps give to his kids!

To pick up Lush’s NEW! Happy Father’s Day gift and many more ethical, cruelty free cosmetics visit Lush shops nationwide.  For shop details and LUSH Online, please call 01202 668 545, or order on-line at www.lush.co.uk

Disclosure: My post is based upon material provided free of charge for review ( A Lush ballistic and shower wash) purposes. I have not been paid or otherwise compensated to promote the topic, product or service reviewed in this post.

Warburtons Naan Pizza Topped with Pesto and Tikka Chicken

I recently reviewed The Warburton Naan Breads and really enjoyed the soft authentic tasting naans with a curry, here is another recipe that Michelin Starred Chef Atul Kochhar and Warburtons have created to try at home.

 Warburtons Naan base pizza topped with Pesto and Tikka Chicken

Ingredients:

Base:

      2 Warburtons Naan breads

       2 tbsp pesto

      2 tbsp tomato sauce or paste

Topping:

       200g roasted or tikka chicken

       2 medium apples, cored and sliced

    1 medium onion, thinly sliced

       15-20 pitted black olives

        1small bulb of fennel, shaved

       Cubed paneer or 4-5 tbsp grated cheddar cheese

       Parsley sprigs

        1 tbsp olive oil

        1 tbsp tomato sauce

Garnish:

        Parmesan shavings

        Chopped fresh coriander or rocket leaves

        Olive oil to drizzle

Method:

1. Mix pesto and tomato sauce in a bowl

2. Place the Warburtons Naan breads on a board and apply a thin layer of the mixture

3. Place the Naans in a preheated oven for 5-8 minutes to seal and bake

4. Mix all the topping ingredients and divide among two Naan breads, spreading evenly

5. Finish with paneer cheese or grated cheese

6. Place your Naan pizza in a pre-heated oven at 180 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until it is well coloured and cooked

7. Remove and garnish with chopped coriander or rocket leaves, parmesan shavings and drizzle the olive oil and serve

Enjoy!

http://www.warburtons.co.uk/recipes/