Lyons Seafood

 Lyons Seafoods, Giving You Back Your Evening…

With All The Spice Included!

I have recently tried some new meal kits from Lyons Seafoods, all of the kits had a chinese or thai influence containing everything I needed to make prawn and fish dishes.

To be honest we all really loved them.  They were simple to cook, the instructions were very clear to follow and the food smelt mouthwatering while cooking, then all were extremely tasty to eat.  The meals do not take a lifetime to cook either, each took less than 10 minutes to prepare (some took less than 5) which is great for busy people.

The kits are supposed to feed 2 people, now I don't know if we are just greedy or that people eat very little? I found the kits to be a little on the small size.  Andy, my Dad and I ate 3 of the kits and I also cooked up a further dish and some noodles to compliment the range of food.  We used them a little like a Chinese/Thai banquet with a little of each style on our plates with rice and noodles.

Andy's favourite was the Thai Sweet Chilli King Prawn kit, it was full of big juicy fresh prawns and the vegetables included were 'different' to what we normally eat but were all really crunchy and tasty.   

My favourite was the Catalan Fish Stew, ok it was a little stinky to cook but the kit was full of flavours - it was lovely!

My Dad liked them all, he had no particular favourite but did like the Malaysian King Prawn Laska flavours and accompanied vegetables (particularly the mini sweetcorn).

Lyons Seafoods, one of the UK’s leading seafood suppliers, is delighted to announce a brand new range of chilled, ready to cook seafood meals, providing time poor consumers with a convenient, healthy and delicious solution.

Each meal kit contains three separate compartments prepared daily by Lyons; succulent seafood, freshly cut vegetables and a perfectly matched sauce, capturing the authenticity of a scratch cooking experience for consumers. The combination of ingredients can be cooked-up in less that seven minutes and offers the pleasure of “real cooking” with no hassle, wasted ingredients or mess in the kitchen.

Inspired by seafood recipes from all over the world, the mouth-watering range incorporates a medley of modern classics for your palate including; Malaysian King Prawn Laksa, Sweet Thai Chilli Prawns and Catalan Fish Stew.

Research conducted by Lyons shows that despite our best intentions to incorporate the government’s ‘two a week’ fish initiative into our diets, the perceived level of preparation and fuss associated with fish can prove to be too challenging when time is of the essence. Of those surveyed 71% confessed to relying on unhealthy fast food and 50% only eat fish in restaurants as they don’t know how to cook it, or simply just don’t have the time!

Lyons aims to demystify cooking with fish and encourage consumers who are intimidated to experiment with simple yet delicious fish solutions.

Whilst Fish Friday may be a longstanding tradition, with Lyons Seafoods, now every day can be a fish day!

Priced at £5.99, the full range of Lyons ready to cook fish meal solutions for two people is now available in larger Sainsbury’s stores.

For more information on Lyons products, visit:  www.lyonsseafoods.co.uk

Twitter: @Lyons_seafood

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lyons-Seafood/#!/pages/Lyons-Seafood/142619515819272

Belvoir Fruit Farms’ Mulled Winter Punch

Warm Up This Winter with Belvoir Fruit Farms’ Mulled Winter Punch

At last, a mulled winter punch without the hangover! Belvoir Fruit Farms’ new non- alcoholic alternative to mulled wine combines the festive flavours of nutmeg oil and mixed spice extracts with blackcurrant juice, red grape juice, elderberry juice and orange juice. You can always add a glug of red wine if you’re hankering after a little more yuletide spirit.

It is the perfect tipple to keep you warm this festive season while you’re snuggled up under a blanket with the fire blazing and some classic movies on the box.

Like the rest of the Belvoir range, Mulled Winter Punch (75cl, RRP £2.75) is made from the finest ingredients with no artificial flavours, preservatives or other ‘nasties’. It is available from many fine food shops, delicatessens, farm shops and regional Tesco stores from 1 September, as well as being on sale in Waitrose nationally from 1 November, and also online at  www.belvoirfruitfarms.co.uk.

Cosmopolitans Real Touch Nails

Fashion at your fingertips with Cosmopolitan’s™ NEW Real Touch Nails!

Nail the latest trends this winter with Cosmopolitan’s™ new Real Touch Nails, a must-have collection for hands-on fashion fiends.

Match your mood and add a statement ‘pop’ to your look with dramatic ‘Deep Purple’ (RRP £5.95), diva-style ‘Pink Sparkle’ (RRP £6.50) or, primitive ‘Wild Thing’ (RRP £6.50). Flexible, durable and comfortable to wear these nails are perfect for both day and night.

Created by the experts from the world’s number one glossy magazine, Cosmopolitan’s™ Real Touch Nails can be applied in the comfort of your own home to achieve an enviously beautiful, salon-quality look.

Each pack comes with 24 false nails, gel glue and cuticle pusher and is available exclusively from Superdrug.

The full Cosmopolitan™ Beauty Accessories range includes 29 products covering make-up brushes, false nails, make-up sponges and beauty essentials. Stockists include Superdrug, feelunique.com and Tesco. 

I am not a fan of fake nails myself, but Emma loves them!  For the upcoming party season these are a must-have to finish off your outfit.  With 24 in each pack that's a brilliant selection to get the right fit and if you lose one .. you have spares :)

For more information visit www.slgbeauty.com

Relax for free

MUSIC TO OUR EARS

Ambient anthem relaxes women more than massage or Mozart

In just 48 hours, over 5,000 cash-strapped British women have turned to ‘Weightless’ a new sound sensation in a bid to save money on expensive spa treatments that help them unwind at the end of the day.

It comes as a shocking new report** reveals 86% of Brits admit to feeling stressed out every day. As a result, two thirds of women are forking out £20 for a massage, despite the nation facing financial hardship.

‘Weightless’ a specially-designed ambient track by body and mind therapy experts Radox Spa is scientifically proven to be more relaxing than having a massage or listening to tunes by Adele, Mozart and Enya*.

Weightless uses specific rhythms, tones, frequencies and intervals to relax the listener. A continuous rhythm of 60 BPM causes the brainwaves and heart rate to synchronise with the rhythm: a process known as ‘entrainment’. Low underlying bass tones relax the listener and a low whooshing sound with a trance-like quality takes the listener into an even deeper state of calm.

The eight-minute track is free to download at www.facebook.com/radox and was created by ambient musicians Marconi Union in consultation with the UK’s Lyz Cooper, founder of the British Academy of Sound Therapy.

Scientists at Mindlab International, an independent research consultancy based at the Sussex Innovation Centre, tested subjects to record the subconscious physical responses to listening to Weightless versus other music and having massages.

The effect of the activities on heart rate, respiration and skin conduction concluded that listening to Weightless had a much more relaxing effect than listening to conventionally ‘relaxing’ music by Adele, Enya, Coldplay, Moby and Mozart.

Top ten most relaxing tracks

1.    Marconi Union – Weightless
2.    Airstream – Electra
3.        DJ Shah – Mellomaniac (Chill Out Mix)
4.        Enya – Watermark
5.    Coldplay – Strawberry Swing
6.    Barcelona – Please Don’t Go
7.    All Saints – Pure Shores
8.    Adele – Someone Like You
9.    Mozart – Canzonetta Sull’aria
10.        Café Del Mar – We Can Fly

Mindlab’s Dr David Lewis, one of the UK’s leading stress specialists and author of the best selling One Minute Stress Manager, said: “The results clearly show that the track ‘Weightless’ induced the greatest relaxation – higher than the massage or any of the other music tested. The study confirmed that the Radox Spa track Weightless has the power to soothe frazzled minds and relax stressed bodies.

“Brain imaging studies have shown that music works at a very deep level within the brain, stimulating not only those regions responsible for processing sound but also ones associated with emotions. So the next time you need to relax, there’s no need to comfort eat a chocolate bar or book a spa retreat. Just put on the right piece of music, such as Weightless, sit back in the bath or a comfortable chair, close your eyes and chill out to the soothing beat.”

Lyz Cooper, the UK’s leading therapeutic sound practitioner, who collaborated with Marconi Union on the track said: “What distinguishes Weightless from other music is the use of therapeutic sound. Many musicians and composers intuitively use therapeutic elements in their music every day, but when you put many of these elements together it is possible to create music that has an extremely relaxing effect on people – as confirmed in the tests.”

Richard Talbot from Marconi Union said: “We were really interested in this project because of the scientific nature of it. Our music tends to be very relaxing but working with Lyz, the sound therapist, helped us to understand the science behind some of the techniques that we intuitively use when making music. It was fascinating to have the physiological responses to the music tested in a laboratory.”

Cassie Shuttlewood, brand manager for Radox Spa said: “Most of us feel stressed every day, but Radox understands that it’s not necessary to spend hundreds of pounds on massages, spa weekends and yoga retreats in order to relax, which is why we designed Radox Spa, a way to get that Spa feeling at home. As the research shows, just spending eight minutes listening to Weightless can have a profound effect on our stress levels. We created the track and the Radox Spa range to give everyone a little bit of ‘spa’ in their day.”

Radox Spa is a range of spa-inspired products that enable you to enjoy the tension-easing, mind and body benefits of a deeply relaxing spa treatment in the comfort of your home. The range has been expertly blended with natural ingredients to create rich shower and bath creams, purifying body washes and exfoliating scrubs, promising to deliver caring results for your body and mind.

The Radox Spa range is available to purchase nationwide in Tesco, Sainsbury’s and selected supermarkets with a RRP of £2.21.

Personalised Fingerprint Charms

Little Pinkies Jewellery creates the most amazing sterling silver fingerprint charms.   

The process of ordering is very easy (as long as you read the instructions), all you have to do is choose which type of jewellery you would like, which shape and style you prefer, then pay using Paypal.

Fiona, the creator, then sends you a fingerprinting kit to print your images.  

You don't have to have a finger print, you can print the kids hand print, the cat/dog's paw print or hubby's toe print (if you reallllly love him that much!).   

I chose to use my daughter Emma's fingerprint on my charm.

I was a little worried that with Emma being nearly 11 her fingerprint would be too big, I needn't have worried as her print was expertly shrunk to the correct size for the jewellery.

We received an order form and a small wipe to take her prints, there is no messy ink involved as the wipe is a clear wipe.  The process is very simple as long as you read the instructions http://www.littlepinkies.co.uk/how-to-use-the-fingerprint-kit make sure you print your fingerprints on the correct side of the paper ... the correct side makes the prints go dark.   

A pre-addressed and stamped envelope is included, so you just pop it all in the postbox back to Little Pinkies.

My charm arrived very quickly, I had also asked for 'Emma' to be engraved on the charm and this was really clear in a legible font and centred.  

Emma's fingerprint is really clear, I am amazed at how detailed her print has come out as when she was printing they seemed quite smudged.

This is a wonderful unique gift, perfect for all.  A personalised Mothers Day Present or to capture a new babies prints, even a paw print of a favourite pet would look fantastic.   

Its not just about 'Mum's' though, how about for God Parents or even for the child themselves, I know that Emma has her eye on mine as I keep catching her looking at the detail.  

The piece would make a brilliant Christening gift or on a sadder note a remembrance piece for people who have sadly lost a child.

Take a look at Little Pinkies, they have jewellery to suit all price ranges and regularly have offers online.  From charms to trinket boxes all products can be personalised to you.   

I am overjoyed with my piece its something I will keep forever.

For more information please visit:

http://www.littlepinkies.co.uk/fingerprint-jewellery/additional-fingerprint-charm

Spin Innocents Peel of Fortune

Spin innocent’s Peel of Fortune

 Roll up, roll up - everyone’s a winner with the innocent Peel of Fortune. 

innocent is giving everyone money off vouchers for juicy drink for kids.  By stopping by the Peel of Fortune tab on innocent’s facebook page (http://on.fb.me/innocentjuicydrinks ) you will automatically get a 50p off voucher for an innocent juicy drink pack.  innocent juicy drink for kids is a really refreshing blend of pure fruit juice with a splash of natural spring water, and comes in both apple juice and orange juice.  Plus each carton is 1 of your 5-a-day.

But that’s not all innocent are giving away.  By spinning the brand new Peel of Fortune, you’re in with a chance of winning some really brilliant toys including playhouse castles, wooden yachts, retro racing cars and horse puppets.  All you need to do is invite 3 friends to visit the Peel of Fortune facebook tab, and when they’ve all popped by and downloaded their coupon, you’ll be able to spin the Peel of Fortune and see what you’ve won.

Have a spin now on http://on.fb.me/innocentjuicydrinks

QVC Breast Cancer Care

QVC are  trying to raise as much money as possible for Breast Cancer Care.

QVC, one of the UK’s leading multi-channel retailers, is proud to be the Official

Broadcast Partner for this year’s fashion show. They have been supporting Breast Cancer Care since 1999 and have raised over £3.5 million for the charity so far. With your help we can make another huge contribution this year.

Last week amazing breast cancer patients and fundraisers came to QVC to strut their stuff at our charity fundraising fashion show event. They modelled clothes designed by fashion designers who suffer from the disease to raise as much money as possible for the cause.

Next Wednesday 12^th October from 7pm to 10 pm QVC will be broadcasting a special 3-hour live show called ‘be aware, show you care’. 

They’ll be playing moving moments from the show and offering you the chance to buy some limited edition pieces from Bare Escentuals, OPI and Leighton Denny to name a few with every penny of the net proceeds going to helping women and men with breast cancer.

QVC tune in details below:

Wednesday 12th October, 7pm - 10pm

Freeview channel 16, Sky channel 640, Virgin TV channel 740, Freesat channel 800

Please visit www.qvcuk.com for more information

Good Food Show Birmingham NEC 2011

Prepare for Christmas at the BBC Good Food Show Winter


The BBC Good Food Show Winter is the perfect place to find everything you need for Christmas all under one roof. With 21 years experience of putting together the country’s biggest and best Food event, The Good Food Show offers a great festive day out.


 

I attend the show every year, each year it gets bigger and better with more product exhibitors, live show's and idea's for me to take home with me.


To be honest I only really go to taste everything, I like to try all the food samples and buy products that I thought "Blimey that's nice!".  Last year I tasted and brought a good range of products ready for Christmas, I came home with bags full of cake mixes, ready made brownies, cheeses and sausages (some were locally produced and not big name producers). 


I also like to taste different wines to try to grasp the difference between dry, medium, sweet etc... having all the different brands available you can get a good idea of wines you like from different countries and brands.  They normally have fantastic offers available so you can purchase in bulk and save a packet.


During the last show I was also introduced to whisky and other stronger spirits. I have never really been a big fan of strong liquors but by having a small taste of different types I have actually used some in my cooking!  I have recently made a tea bread with whisky which I would never have attempted before.


I can't wait for this years show, I wonder how many celebrities I can spot this year? Keep your eyes peeled when you are walking around as you can suddenly be face-to-face with your favourite foodie stars from the telly while you are supping wine or stuffing yourself silly with cake samples.


Here is some information about this years show, for further info please visit: http://www.bbcgoodfoodshow.com/home


Oh yes one more thing .... if you spot Gino D'Acampo .... hands off! He's mine! xx






Be inspired by top chefs live demo’s- Some of TV’s favourite foodie faces will be cooking live on stage on the Supertheatre sponsored by Sainsbury’s. Star names including James Martin, demonstrating an alternative Christmas Dinner, Rick Stein, John Torode and Gregg Wallace’s will be creating his classic Christmas Pudding.

Christmas Theatre– Get some great ideas for Christmas treats by taking a tasting session on this stage – alternatively pick up some fantastic tips for making your own treats including Christmas cookie Icing, marzipan fruit making and Christmas Cake Decorations.

British Theatre – Enjoy the best of British chefs demonstrating with the best of British produce and pick up tips on how to make your Christmas truly local.

BBC Radio 4 Food and Farming Awards– To be held at the BBC Good Food Show Winter once again these “Oscars of the Food World” will celebrate the very best in British food and drink.

World Cheese Awards - If you’re planning on providing the most brilliant cheese board for your guests then where better to get inspiration from than the World Cheese Awards. Over 2500 different cheeses, that’s 40 tonnes, will be judged by the worlds top cheese experts.

Shopping– With over 400 exhibitors it’s the perfect place to pick up gifts for your friends and family. With some fantastic producers’ including Kelly’s Turkeys, English Provender and Scotland Food and Drink, find something original for Christmas Day.

Marks and Spencer’s Christmas Experience– Marks and Spencers’ will be returning once again with an even bigger Christmas theatre – featuring top chefs including Michael Caines giving you tips and advice on how to make the most of your culinary skills this Christmas.

Drinks- Stock up your drinks cabinet with a whole range of fantastic drinks suppliers from Glengoyne Whisky to Port from ‘Spirits of the Place’ or pick up something really different from Demijohns Liquid Deli.

MasterChef Experience– See all your favourite MasterChef faces live on stage including John Torode, Gregg Wallace, Dhruv Baker and Tim Anderson and the newly crowned Celebrity MasterChef Champion – the perfect place to take any MasterChef fan for a pre-Christmas treat. Plus watch amateur cooks create their signature dishes live on stage to be judged by John and Gregg in the MasterChef Live Challenge sponsored by Plenty.


For further info and ticket prices please visit: http://www.bbcgoodfoodshow.com/home