mummyratesit tries… Mat-based Pilates

Posted on May 28, 2012 by Michelle

My exercise of choice is usually something pretty high-cardio. Over the years I’ve spun, run, jigged and zumba’d my way around town. Despite needing to chill-out and tone-up I don’t find stretchy and relaxing exercise very effective or calming. In fact, quite the opposite. However, there came a time last year when a certain bottom in a certain Sarah Burton bridesmaid dress pushed me to give Pilates a proper ‘go’.

Picture thanks to heraldpost @ Flickr.com

What is Pilates?
Pilates was invented by Joseph Pilates and has been practised all over the world. There are two forms of Pilates – traditional and contemporary. Some Pilates classes use fully-equipped studios (with machinery such as the Trapeze Table designed by Pilates). I, however, am talking about contemporary, mat-based Pilates where the only equipment needed is a mat and perhaps a resistance band.

Mummyratesit tries: Zumba

Intended to strengthen both body and mind, Pilates focuses on exercising the whole body whilst developing, toning and strengthening the core muscle group. Most of the core muscles (abs, back and pelvic floor) are the ones that pregnancy has completely knackered.

Pilates is slow-moving and very much a focus-based exercise. You follow an instructor who will tell you when and where to pull in and how to breathe.

What do you do in Pilates?

The lesson starts with gentle warming up and then moves to regular exercises called the 100 where you hold the position for a beat of 100. One of these 100 exercises is where you lay on the floor, legs extended at 45degrees, head off the ground and you pump your arms up and down. It sounds easy but it really kills your stomach muscles. The teacher will probably tell you to ‘zip in and zip up’ and something about the 7th floor which is all Pilates talk for pulling in your stomach and pelvic floor muscles. You can also expect to hear plenty of instruction about breathing, often exhaling on effort.

Picture thanks to heraldpost @ Flickr.com

My favourite exercise and the one I find the most effective is when you are on the floor on all fours. You then have to reach out one arm and the opposite leg. You suck in your stomach muscles to help you balance. After holding for a while you then swap over and do the opposite arm and leg.

A lot of the exercises are quite sweat-inducing and require concentration so I’ve not had time to drift off and think about hanging out the washing, getting the kids to do their homework or what I’m going to cook for tea.

What are the benefits of Pilates
As well as stronger muscles the noticeable effects of Pilates are an improvement in posture. Without really thinking about it I now find myself regularly pulling my shoulder blades back and downwards. When I’ve finished the class I usually come out feeling a couple of inches taller. I have also noticed an improvement in the pelvic floor department (more of this to come when I review a new Pelvic toner in the next few weeks).
Don’t be fooled by the gentleness of the exercises. My word, sometimes I can barely laugh as my stomach is so sore from doing Pilates, so be prepared to feel ‘it’ a few days after a class.

Do you have to be super fit or skinny to do it?
No, and in fairness I think every exercise I review will be the same. A good Pilates instructor will adjust exercises to your capabilities. In our class we are all different sizes, shapes and ages. Some are super flexible whilst overs can’t bend over and touch the floor with their hands.

Pilates in Crystal Palace, SE19
Antenna Studios, Tuesday 10.15-11.15
Christ Church, Friday 10 – 11, Christ Church, Gipsy Hill
Triangle Pilates
Pilates with Julia @ The Little Escape

Read all about it: Mummyratesit tries: Zumba
Next week: Mummyratesit tries Hot Yoga – ouch!

Maggi: So quick, easy and tasty

Posted on May 25, 2012 by Michelle

Have you ever watched Masterchef and thought how fantastic it would be to cook in a professional kitchen where all of the ingredients are set out, ready for you to get your hands on? Where every little dish, knife, board and utensil is just sitting there on the work top complete with a kitchen fairy that tidies and does all the washing up? Well, that’s what happened to me on Wednesday night…

Maggi, the flavours, herbs and spices folk, were showing off their So Juicy and So Crispy range and myself and a few bloggers got to try them out. First off we tried the So Juicy range which comes in 10 different flavours including:
Garlic …for Chicken, Paprika …for Chicken, Sweet & Sour …for Chicken, Chilli Con Carne and Chunky Chilli Con Carne.

Now, I don’t know about you but I would say I’m an ‘average’ cook. I can knock up something reasonably tasty, have yet to poison anyone (that I know of) or burn a house down (I definitely know that!) However, like all of us, I’m often short of time so anything that is going to produce tasty, healthy, family-friendly food without demanding huge amounts of time, skill or ingredients is most welcome (especially on a school night).

How to cook So Juicy

So Juicy ticks all of the boxes – take it from me, it really couldn’t have been easier. It goes something like this: grab packet, open packet, open the bag inside packet, put chicken, chopped veg and pre-mixed spices into bag, tie-up bag, shake bag and put in a casserole dish in the over for 45-50 mins. Voila!

The sceptic in me wondered if the end result was going to be So tasty but it really was, and you won’t be surprised when I tell you that it was also So juicy too! To accompany the Mexican Chicken we made guacamole and a rice salad (recipes below). Lots of the range would appeal to children and, as I said that night, it’s nice when you can make a dinner that hasn’t been ‘dumbed down’ to suit the kids.

Easy Guacamole

Mash together:
1 ripe avocado
1 chopped tomato
1 garlic clove diced finely and mixed in with a small amount of sale to produce a paste
Juice of half a lime

Rice salad

Mix together:
Pre-cooked rice
Sweetcorn (or other such as peas, peppers, onions)
Lemon juice

And now onto So Crispy…

We then tried So Crispy which was also So easy. All you do is dip chicken (or whatever meat you fancy – one blogger used salmon as she didn’t eat chicken) in beaten egg and then coat in the breadcrumbs and cook in the oven for 25 mins.

Cath Edwards, our chef and giver of many handy cookery tips, suggested we could serve So Crispy with some sweet potato wedges, par-boiled and then cooked in the oven for 20 mins along with some other veg. She also reassured us concerned parents that the So Juicy and So Crispy ranges do not contain any artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. Thumbs up again.

The verdict? So Crispy was very (I’m so over the So thing now) tasty and extremely easy. As a result of the Maggi blogger night I’m now able to add quite a few new easy, yet tasty, dinners to our family-friendly recipe repertoire. Why not give it a try yourself? AND Share your time-saving cooking tips and you could win some Maggi goodies. Enter the competition below.

WIN

I have 10 sets of ‘So Juicy’ and ‘So Crispy’ to win. All you need to do is comment below with your time-saving cookery tip. The ten best will win 1 packet of each. Competition open to UK residents only. Closing date: 15th June 2012.

DISCLAIMER: I was provided with the ingredients to make the Maggi meals, however, opinions about the product and pictures are my own.

ThePrizeFinder – UK Competitions

‘I’m supporting’ in style

Posted on May 24, 2012 by Michelle

Need an accessory that’ll last the distance this summer? Why not try out a scarf? Or, to be more precise, a scarf that celebrates Britain’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes and raises money at the same time. Ta da! Here are 5 ways to wear Next’s Paralympics GB Supporters’ Scarf.

I must admit I’ve had a bit of help with this one. I was snooping around the library the other week when I stumbled across a real gem: The Five Minute Scarf Arranger by Pia Tryde Sandeman. From the cover I guessed it came out in the Eighties and I was right, the date inside the cover says 1989. Fortunately the 80s are ‘in vogue’ and so the suggestions in the book aren’t that far off the mark.

With Sandeman’s book for inspiration I managed to find 5 ways to style up Next’s Paralympics GB Supporters’ Scarf, £5. The scarf in question is a square shaped scarf, measuring approx 53cm x 53cm – breathe a sigh or relief as had the scarf been larger I might have got carried away with the book’s Shoulder Shapes suggestions which include a racy bare back and bow number.

5 ways with Next’s Paralympics scarf

1. With a relatively small scarf it is still possible to create a number of looks. No sooner had the starter pistol gone and I had whipped up a rolled kerchief in about 2 seconds. This would look lovely with a plain sundress and the colours will tie-in nicely with denim (jackets, jeans and cut-offs).

2. I then whipped up a bangle type affair. Great for adding colour to an outfit and also a nod to sporty Olympics/Paralympics’ chic – ‘sports luxe’ is very 2012, don’t you know.

3. Not content with sporting the scarf myself, I also added it to my red handbag. As well as being eyecatching it is also handy for making your bag stand out in a crowd (although I don’t recommend you leave your handbag unattended at any time!)

4. My fourth style shows how you can mix new and vintage to create a unique look. To create this scarf/brooch look I scrunched up the Next scarf and held it in place with a vintage brooch. Make sure it’s really secure and tweak the ends when it is in place.

5. Finally, I don’t think the sophistication of the Classic Wrap can be beaten. With the 50s being big news this year (thanks to her Majesty) this look will protect you from the all the elements we are likely to endure during the Games. I insist that this style MUST be worn with BIG sunglasses at all times!

Show your support for a great cause by snapping up one of Next’s Olympics and Paralympics scarves. All monies raised from sales go towards the British Olympic Association. If you purchase a scarf you can submit a photo of you wearing it and possibly win a prize.
Good luck!

DISCLAIMER: I received a free copy of the Next scarf – opinions are my own.

PART 3: What’s cooking for campers/glampers

Posted on May 23, 2012 by Michelle

So I’ve told you where to go (in the nicest possible way), what to bring and today, the last in my 3 post camping/glamping special, I’m going to suggest some very quick and easy meals to cook on or close to the camp fire.

Be prepared

My first tip for camping and cooking is to be prepared. The last thing you want to do is arrive on site and then have to leave again to go to the supermarket. Make like a boy Scout and ‘Be prepared’. Write down everything and get shopping prior to leaving home. Get your coolbox out and put in milk etc. Most campsites have a fridge/freezer where you can puts bit in – write your name on milk/freezer blocks and Tupaware to avoid any confusion.

PART 1: Family-friendly sites for Campers/Glampers in the South East
PART 2: How to camp/glamp in style

Breakfast
Cereal, milk and fruit – easy. Just make sure you have bowls and spoons.
Bacon and eggs, again easy, just do them in a pan over the camp fire or use a gas stove – same with scrambled eggs etc.
Toast: you can get get camping toasters which you hold over a flame so also bring jam/marmalade and butter.
Easy peasy option: croissants.

Don’t forget the tea bags, coffee and hot choc.

Lunch
Jacket potatoes are really easy on a campfire. Just wrap them in foil and arrange them around the outside of the fire (too hot and the foil burns). If you want to cheat whey not pre-cook them at home and wrap them ready for action and bung them in the embers to warm up? Bring some baked beans and cheese (don’t forget a grater).

Corn on the cob is also an easy one. Put on top of foil, add some butter, salt and pepper and wrap them up ready for when you get to camp. Put them in the fridge/coolbox at site until you’re ready to cook them. Same as Jacket Pots – don’t put them in the hottest part.

Heat up tins/homemade soup and serve in mugs with some nice, crusty bread or wrap garlic bread in foil and warm in fire.

Toasted sandwiches, grilled over the fire using the camping toaster.

Pre-prepared skewers – either make your own or buy supermarket BBQ packs. Cook using a flame on top of a grill.

Cook up a big pot of pasta – any left over can be used as a cold accompniament at dinnertime. For ease and speed just dollop in some pesto – serve with garlic bread and salad.

Dinner

Pasta – heat up pasta and add a sauce/pesto/bolognese

Rice – heat up and add either bolognese/chilli con carne

Curry – before I’ve pre-prepared a curry (Gordon Ramsey’s Malaysian chicken) put it in the campsite fridge and then just reheated. Delish! You could do the same with casseroles and stews.

No camping experience is complete without sausages/burgers (veggie options too) - accompany with mash/beans/grilled tomatoes

Runny cheese dip – Put tons of feta cheese and rosemary in foil and cook gently over a fire. When you unwrap it’ll be all gooey and lush – stick bread sticks and Nachos into it. Yum.

More kebabs – meaty ones, vegetable ones, Halluomi ones

Puds

Marshmallows on sticks – sandwiched between biscuits if you’re feeling really naughty

Bananas cooked in foil – add some booze for grown-ups

Fruit kebabs – before wrapping in foil drizzle in honey/lemon/sugar then cook in outside of fire

When we camp I use The Camping Cookbook which has some really lovely recipes. Highly recommended!

PART 2: How to camp/glamp in style

Posted on May 22, 2012 by Michelle

My last post talked about our favourite places to camp/glamp in the South East of England. Now I thought I’d share with you some of the little extras that can take your camping experience to new heights – tents, campers and blow up mattresses oh, and some stylish wellies. Yes, even up to your ankles in mud you can still look and feel the biz.

First things first you need to think about where you’ll be laying your head. Lots of sites offer pre-erected yurts/bell tents and even gypsy caravans and the like – fantastic for their comfort and the fact that you can just rock straight up and get about sorting out the camp fire. However, if you want to buy your own accommodation you might like to consider one of Baker + Bell’s very cool Bell Tents, £299. They look very spacious and you can cosy up the insides with bunting, rugs and even get one of their camping doormats, £18!

PART 1: Family friendly sites for campers/glampers
PART 3: What’s cooking for campers/glampers

Alternatively you could consider arriving in your accommodation. As a family we can not speak highly enough of our Mazda Bongo – or Bingo Bongo as we like to call it. I’ll admit, it’s not as ‘pretty’ as the lovely VW Camper but as our day-to-day vehicle it is very reliable and spacious. When we want to go camping we rock up and press a button and the top opens up and turns into a bedroom. Downstairs the back seats fold down flat making a double bed. We also put up an awning for us to sleep in. Very comfortable, easy and the kids love hanging out it in. I’ve slept upstairs in it at festivals (when the kids aren’t with us) and I have to say it’s very nice and dark up there so you get a really good kip. It also has a very handy window (with pull-down blind) which is great for people watching.

Picture thanks to Murky1 @ Flickr.com

Now that you’ve sorted out where you’re going to sleep I suggest you look into what you’re going to sleep in and on. For me it has to be a really big, thick sleeping bag. My one comes with a hood for extra cosiness. I also recommend that if it’s chilly you go to bed in socks and a hat and always wear thermals and pyjamas (did I really mention style when referring to camping?!) All this lot will keep you toasty and if you get too hot the hat is easy to take off. My husband, on the other hand, prefers a very thin sleeping bag which he leaves undone and throws over him like a duvet. We both sleep on a blow-up mattress – none of those thin ones where you can still feel every lump and bump and the kids sleep on smaller blow-up versions. I hasten to add that the picture below is NOT us. I have to use Flickr pics at the mo as I’ve just upgraded to a new laptop and don’t have access to my own photos – what a cheesy shot!

Picture: edmittance @ Flickr.com

Ok, you’re all snug as a bug and sorted however, you still need to consider what you’re wearing in the wild outdoors. Unless it has been very dry (and let’s face it that’s unlikely) you’ll need some wellies. I have a pair of Hunters that are fab. Worn with some nice long socks underneath they are comfy and keep your feet warm enough even at night. You’ll also need some sort of waterproof, warm jumpers, jeans and T-shirts. Remember to use the layering technique – taking things off if you get too hot – and you can’t go wrong. Don’t forget the kids will get in a terrible state so make sure you’ve got plenty of spare changes of clothing.

Picture thanks to love Maegan @ Flickr.com

Make sure you’ve got lots of wet wipes, sun cream, black bin bags, sunglasses, sun hats, towels, bottle/tin opener, torches, things for the kids to play with like bikes, balls, bats oh, and lots of blankets and soap and you can’t go wrong! (Yes, you will have half your house in the back of your car). If you have forgotten something no doubt someone in your group will have it or you can ask other campers – they’re usually a friendly bunch.

Coming soon: Campfire cookery – recipes and shopping lists.

PART 1: Carry on Glamping: family friendly sites

Posted on May 21, 2012 by Michelle

I am so excited that sunshine is on its way! That means it’s time to get outdoors and for us, to go camping. I know lots of families like the idea of camping but put it off as it seems like hard work. I’m here to tell you it’s not – it’s great fun. Whether you’re happy campers or groovy glampers there’s a site for you! Today’s camping special focuses on a few sites in the South East of England (East Sussex/Kent) that we love.

Woodland Yurt at Wowo, picture thanks to uniteddiversity @ Flickr.com

Wowo, East Sussex – we’ve been to Wowo a couple of times and really enjoy it, however, we’re not the only ones! You have to be pretty organised to get in there as it gets booked up really quickly, especially around long weekends, school holidays etc. The site itself is pretty large with camping spread out over a couple of fields. You can not book which field to go in and so sites are taken on a first come first served basis. There is a very gentle and clean stream that runs through the site and the kids love wading around in it. With this in mind make sure you bring tons and tons of spare clothes – if the worst comes to the worst there are washing machines. There is woodland to walk through, tyre swings and a large field where you could, if you’re that way inclined, set up a game of rounders. They have fridges and freezers by reception that you can use to store your food and there is also a small shop (new so not used it) which sells local farm products including ice-cream. They also have WiFi – but please tell me we (even bloggers) can manage a few days camping without having to log-on! They also do free soup and story time sessions.
We have stayed here as a big group with two families who didn’t have their own tents. They have hired the yurts which means we all got to camp in the Tipi Trail (which is very leafy and provides good cover from rain showers).
It has become tradition for us to visit a pub for Sunday lunch after having packed up. When staying at Wowo we have visited The Griffin in Fletching which has possibly the best beer garden in the whole of the UK with a big space for kids to run around and the most amazing and unspoilt view over the countryside. It also does a wonderful (read pricey) BBQ. Quite a treat.

PART 2: How to camp/glamp in style
PART 3: What’s cooking for campers/glampers

As I said above to book Wowo you do need to be organised, so last year when I didn’t get my act together we had to find alternative arrangements. I found the Clippenham Camping site online and saw that it had bell tents for those non-tent-owning pals of ours. It looks OK online but Clippenham, East Sussex is actually more than OK it’s bloomin brilliant. We had a whole field to ourselves, two beautiful bell tents, our own eating area, portaloos and kitchen. It meant we didn’t have to unpack all the cooking equipment as everything was set up ready for us. Obviously if you’re not paying out for a bell tent you won’t be getting these extras. The main camping field was nice and spacious and like Wowo it’s surrounded by woodland which provided lovely walks. The owners arranged a treasure hunt on the Sunday morning and the kids absolutely loved it. We’ve arranged to go back there this year.
The Sunday lunch was taken in nearby pub The Merrie Harriers that had a lovely big beer garden. Strangely enough we had no trouble fitting in – as soon as our gang arrived the pub emptied out. Funny that!

Hidden Spring Vineyard, East Sussex – can you guess what enticed me to this campsite? Yes, it’s on a vineyard! This site is absolutely gorgeous dotted with orchards, a few farm animals and a little site shop selling amongst other things – wine! There are two fields, one for campervans/caravans and then across the path another for tents and this includes some very nice yurts. We have been camping here a couple of times, about four times on our own and have had a lovely time. The kids can run off and play safely and there’s a small, rope swing in the tree that they all assemble around. The toilet block and shower facilities are very clean and pretty similar to being at home. There is a local farm shop selling meat and essentials. It is also really close to the Cuckoo trail which means you can cycle your way along the disused railway line – it’s perfect for families. I ran along it a few times when I was training for the New York Marathon and it was beautiful – a welcome distraction to running. Much like Wowo this site gets booked out quickly, so you need to get organised.

Others:
Dunn Street Farm, Kent: As the name suggests this campsite is on a farm – great for kids. It is back to basics camping which is lovely. We went a few years ago when Ferne was a baby and we really enjoyed ourselves (we had fab weather). There were loads of kids running around and no set pitches which meant you just picked where you fancied. The owners were very friendly. No shop so you need to come with everything or get in the car and stock up. Good toilets and showers and a kitchen with fridge, freezer and kettle.

More to come this week: camping/glamping kit, camping recipes

Review: BB Creams

Posted on May 20, 2012 by Michelle

Over the last few years I’ve noticed that my skin has lost its radiance no doubt due to a combination of getting older, having less sleep, late nights, more stress and not as much time to dedicate to all the various rituals that I used to perform on a weekly basis such as masks, scrubs and steaming. That’s why I’ve gone OTT for BB creams. Here’s my review of the mid-priced ones out there.

INDEPENDENT REVIEW: Just lately BB creams are big news. Who, what, why? I may hear some of you cry. Well, BB (short for blemish/base balms) is not just for covering up spots and patchy skin. A better name for them would be Multifunctional Balms as they do a whole host of things. Yes, a good BB covers up like a foundation, creates a natural-ish looking base and also has skincare properties of a moisturiser with illuminating effects and some SPF thrown in too. The latest one that I’ve just bought, Maybelline Dream Fresh BB, promises 8 functions in 1. Phew!

I’ve never worn foundation regularly and although I have tried quite a few I’ve never liked the full-on, made-up look. What I like about BB creams however, is that are not as thick or masking as a foundation but they do improve the look of your skin without covering every last freckle.

At the moment I’ve got 3 BB creams on the go (excessive, moi?) The first is L’Oreal Nude Magique, £9.99 which promises ‘to recreate the texture and glow of perfect nude looking skin’. This is a great BB for those who are make-up shy as it isn’t coloured. The lotion is actually white when it comes out the tube but has coloured pigment balls in it which are released when you rub it in. It’s very subtle, so again great for those who don’t like the ‘made-up’ look. I thought it definitely improved the finish of my skin. For me the only problem with Nude Magique is that I find it a bit drying. I can overcome this by making sure that I’m really well moisturised prior to putting it on which is OK when you’ve got time to spend doing a full-on moisturising routine but not great for say, the mad panic of the morning school run.

The second BB on the go is Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector, £9.99: ‘an all-in-one, super dooper, anytime, anywhere skincare solution for perfected skin’. This one is much thicker than Nude Magique and has, in my opinion, a consistency similar to foundation. You only need to use a tiny bit to see the effects and it gives a really lovely dewy look to skin. In fact I’d go so far as to say don’t overdo this one as you’ll be overly shiny.

The two BBs above have SPFs of 12 and 15 which are OK when the sun’s not strong and that, my friend, is why I picked up Maybelline’s Dream Fresh BB Cream. This one has a SPF of 30 which is getting closer to the 50 that I like to wear on a daily basis. I picked up the Universal Glow colour and was a bit shocked when I saw how dark it was. However, I recovered as it melts really quickly into the skin and didn’t look too dark at all. I liked the way that my skin felt moisturised and soft all day long and true to my expectations maintained its dewy look. Like Garnier’s BB it gives a nice polish to the cheeks and a touch of colour that made me look perkier than I felt. At £6.60 it is also a very affordable purchase.

Out of the three BBs for me the Maybelline Day Fresh is my favourite because of the significant SPF coverage and price. No doubt these other BBs will up the ante in the SPF stakes before long.

If you are going to give a BB a try why not watch this Youtube clip showing you how to apply it?

Disclaimer: This review is based on products I have bought myself and uses my own words and opinions.

Shop, donate and Build!

Posted on May 19, 2012 by Michelle

A month or so ago I attended Save The Children’s ‘Build it for Babies’ conference and, much like all the other attendees, was moved beyond words by the circumstances and hardship faced by mothers and babies living in Bangladesh. As well as being a call to action it was also a wake up one – forget complaining about hospital cleanliness and inadequate staffing – boy, we have it easy!

At Save The Children’s Build it for Babies conference we heard how they hope to raise £1m to build 7 new clinics that will care for 3,500 newborn babies every year and help them to survive those perilous first 28 days of their lives. Whilst listening to their first-hand experiences the room-full of bloggers and vloggers was filled with silence – every parent in there couldn’t help but at some point compare their own lives and their babies with those in Bangladesh. I sat with a group of fellow Mummy bloggers namely: motherwifeme, dorkymum, tea&biscotti and cookiejarlife and we all decided to do something together to help raise awareness for Build it for Babies. I’m excited to say that right now, all over the wonder that is ‘t’internet’, posts are pinging and popping up to promote the project.

How can I ‘earn’ donations for charity?

Now, before you glaze over and think of all the money you already donate to other worthwhile charities we thought it might be a good idea to suggest a way that you could raise money for Save The Children without having to physically prise notes from your pocket. Instead, how good does raising money towards the clinics whilst you go about your usual online shopping sound? Pretty ace, I think you’ll agree.

Say for example you do your food shopping online at Tesco, you could go to the Tesco site via Give As You Live and raise money for your chosen charity. Every time you shop through the site the retailer donates a set percentage on your behalf. All you need to do is choose which charity you’d like to receive your ‘earnings’ and it’s at this point we’d like to suggest you make it Save The Children.

Every penny you contribute really does count. Don’t believe me? Take a look at the Build it For Babies site where the online clinic shows you exactly how and where your money will be used. For example, if you donate a fiver you’ll buy a brick towards one of the seven clinics, or a £9 donation will by a Foetoscope, a piece of equipment used by midwives to listen to a baby’s heartbeat in the womb.

I think and hope you’ll agree that, however you do it, donating money to Build It For Babies is really important. I know that as Mum I couldn’t bear to think about losing a child yet in the poorest parts of Bangladesh 11 newborn babies die every hour.

If I haven’t convinced you to donate maybe take a look at this video clip of Nirob, a little boy who at 10 weeks-old is really weak and unable to take on milk. He is vomiting and really poorly yet does not have access to even the most basic healthcare. To make matters even worse his mother has already lost 3 newborn babies to illness. There is no other word for it than heartbreaking.

Click HERE to watch Nirob’s story

Since the conference I have donated money directly to Save The Children (I am now the proud owner of a brick), given to the crazy Mamasaurus who has done all sorts of mad stuff (like swimming in below minus temperatures) in the name of blogging it for babies and I have signed up with Give As You Live and chosen Save The Children as my charity. Now I need to do that big Tesco online shop that I’ve been putting off for months – the softener being that I’ll be generating a donation to Save The Children at the same time.

Thanks for reading (and for hopefully donating in whatever way you can).

Another story ‘Spot the difference and make one’ about ‘Build it for Babies’

Michelle x

Is your child a ‘mini’ Moss?

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Michelle

I’ve never put my kids into child modelling because firstly the situation hasn’t cropped up and secondly I don’t think my children perform very well in front of our cameras, so the thought of what might happen if the pressure was on at a big photo shoot doesn’t bear thinking about! However, I know lots of parents do….

Picture thanks to Studio 757 Photography @ Flickr.com

Regardless of my kids being non-starters in the modelling industry, I was still interested to read that a new guide about child modelling has been released and thought it might be useful to anyone considering it or already involved. The guide, published on the UK Model Agencies site lists Child licensing laws, Child modelling agencies, How much money children will make and How to become a child model.

How much???
In the interests of, well, being a nosey parker, I was instantly drawn to the section about earnings. Apparently, anything between £40 -£50 per hour for babies goes with earnings rising with the child’s age. An important point to remember is that an agency will take roughly 20-25% from that amount. With that in mind the advice is that you should think of child modelling more as a hobby rather than a ‘job’.

But what happens if your kid becomes the next Milky Bar Kid? Well, again, according to the site TV commercials and poster campaigns can earn significant sums. OK, so your kid’s the next big thing but how do you fit in child modelling with other commitments, such as other kids, school, a life?..

Chaperones and carers
Any child of school age must be accompanied by a parent, carer or guardian at all times. However, if all of these are unavailable then a chaperone must be employed. A chaperone is employed to look after any child working in the ‘entertainment’ industry and make sure that they are not overworked, provide a private tutor if necessary and make decisions about whether your child is being put in, for example, a dangerous situation or is not feeling well.

Picture thanks to David Reed, Studio 757 Photography @ Flickr.com

Now, I’ve already mentioned that my children don’t really perform for the camera but I’ve certainly seen children who do. This is the key point to child modelling. If they love to strike a pose (even if you’re not taking their picture), dress up, show off and take direction (an important point too) then child modelling could be for them (and you). The emphasis on the site is about using your intuition as a parent to know if your child would enjoy modelling. Pushy parents and unhappy kids do not a great picture make!

Top tips to see if your child has ‘it’

If you think your child will be great in front of a professional’s camera you can try out some of these useful tips:
1. Pretend to hold a photo shoot at home. Get your child to dress up, handle the camera and take part – note how they react. If they start to pose and revel in being the centre of attention you could be onto something.
2. Get them to smile! Not just indoors but outdoors too. Take them out and start directing them and see how easily they get distracted or if they are fully absorbed in your ‘shoot’.
3. If it’s looking like you’ve got the next Kate Moss on your hands you should then consider how much time you and your kid(s) will have to devote to the modelling industry. There will be castings and shoots as well as the time it takes to travel to them.
4. Balancing modelling and schoolwork is also extremely important. Obviously there are laws in place to protect children from missing out on school and hours that can be worked and you will also need to get a special license from your local council.

For more information, the full, four-page guide provides more information that you may find helpful. Good luck!

Is your child a model? What have your experiences been? I’d love to know.
Michelle x

5 minutes – 5 stories

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Michelle

From revolutionary knickers to dieting Dads – this week’s 5 minutes – 5 stories covers all departments from health, holidays and jewellery to erm, pants.

Pop & Go Knickers on www.mummyratesit.co.uk

Clean knickers in a flash

Ever needed to change your knickers but couldn’t because you were trying to do it in a cramped space such as on a coach, a plane or squeezed inside a tiny tent at a festival? Well, struggle no more thanks to a knicker revolution going by the name of Pop & Go Knickers. Designed by traveller Aurora Tyas, Pop&Go knickers can be changed hygienically and in very speedy 40 seconds. Made from cotton they come in either knickers or thongs and have a handy pouch so you can carry a spare pair (Mum would approve).

Don’t forget to pack Grandma

Money CHECK, tickets CHECK, Grandma CHECK. A new survey by Best of British has found that more and more of us are bringing along the extended family on holidays. Sharing the costs of holidays is obviously one reason but Best of British chairman Claire Jeavons also reckons it is because families are looking for: “the opportunity to come together and enjoy each other’s company in neutral territory away from home.” Not only that, but it also means that the parents have ‘a built-in child care service so that they can make an occasional escape and be just a couple again.” I can’t help thinking it may be best to mention that part after Grandma has fully committed!

Win a bit of bling!

Fancy getting your paws on some bling-age? Well, if you visit Diamond Rocks’ Facebook page you could be in luck. All you need to do for a chance to win a Diamond Heart Pendant worth £795 is share your romantic, funny, or even disastrous proposal story. For anyone who cares my husband proposed to me at Glastonbury festival where I had met him some 5 years earlier. Fortunately it wasn’t a muddy year and we got to celebrate in style (we also went there as part of our honeymoon!) What’s yours? I’ll certainly be snooping around reading all the stories…

Picture thanks to crabchick @Flickr.com

A ‘tents moment’ as Top 10 sites are revealed

Camping gurus I Spy Camping have revealed Europe’s Top Ten campsites for families this summer. Founder Will Goodridge’s criteria meant sites on the list must be within close proximity to sandy beaches with gently sloping access to the sea or a lake; have on-site facilities for young children; be nearby family friendly attractions and easily reached by plane, ferry or car. All sites also had to offer a variety of accommodation from mobile homes to pitches. The majority of the sites were in France with one nestled in the grounds of a chateau. Oh la la!

Give Dad a hamper with a difference

Stuck for something to buy your Dad/other half for Father’s Day? Well, if your ‘Dad’ has the XXL factor look no further. Forget socks, smellies and chocs and instead think about getting him a Diet Chef custom male hamper. Delivered to the door the 7-day hamper will give him a 1,500 calorie a day diet including breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Not only will ‘Dad’ be slimmer and healthier you also won’t have to cook for him for a whole week! Result.

mummyratesit tries: Zumba

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Michelle

Do you know who I blame for making Zumba so popular? That Shakira. If those hips of hers had lied and been wobbling around I wouldn’t have dragged myself along to a class and found out they shake like a jelly. By the time I’d realised that Shakira is not human it was too late – I was Zumbafied. If you haven’t tried it – do! Here’s what it’s about…

What’s Zumba about
Zumba originated in Colombia in the 1990s when an aerobics instructor forgot his CD and linked aerobic moves and dance moves together. Just as you would with a normal aerobics class you follow the instructor although with Zumba there are a lot more intricate moves and changes.

Do you have to be super coordinated?
I am not super co-coordinated but have mastered a few Zumba classes. The key thing is to enjoy it and not take it too seriously. Of course you’ll fluff up, go the wrong way and bump into the person next to you for the first few classes but you quickly get the hang of routines. Most people are too busy trying to follow the steps themselves than worry what you’re up to!

Do you have to be super-fit to Zumba?
I am not ‘unfit’ but I sometimes come out of a class looking like a beetroot, dripping with sweat and needing to sit down but that’s a good thing because it means I’ve had a good workout. Yes, you will find it sweat-inducing and difficult if you haven’t exercised for years but a good instructor will tailor the moves so to suit your fitness levels. Most people can notice a difference in their fitness levels after the first few.

Do you have to be super-skinny to Zumba?
No not at all. Zumba is for all shapes and sizes (embrace the curves ladies) and can be done when pregnant (make sure you inform your instructor).

Shakira: picture thanks to oouinouin @ Flickr.com

Do you have to have kit?
All you need to Zumba in are some trainers and exercise wear such as tracky bottoms and a T-shirt. You’ll find that there are some who go to town in skimpier outfits but it really doesn’t make the slightest difference to your ability to Zumba. Don’t forget to take a bottle of water and a towel to wipe your brow.

What’s the music like?
One word: fab. To be honest the tunes are one of the reasons why I keep going back for more. I’ve pretty much Zumba’d my way round Crystal Palace, SE19 and have found different styles of music in each class. If you love dancing in the kitchen whilst cooking the kids’ tea you’ll love it. Music varies from Latin American, hip hop, Black Eyed Peas and even Michael Buble (yes, really). I’m often singing (between trying to breathe) and dancing which makes it seem like fun. Honestly!

OK, how many calories do you burn and does it make wobbly bits less wobbly?
You burn between 500-900 calories in a one hour Zumba class – that’s the same amount as you would doing a fast half-hour run. Due to the high calorie burn off Zumba is great for weight-loss (obviously you need to watch what you eat). For toning you could try a Zumba tone class where you do specific toning exercises. I’ve not done this but I am going to ask a few fitness experts if I can try a class and then report back.

mummyratesit score out of 10
Cardio: 8
Toning: 6
Fun: 9

More information
You can find your nearest official Zumba class by looking on the Zumba website. However, there are probably a lot more which do not use the official Zumba music. Visit local forums and look out for posters.

Zumba in SE19
Antenna Studios: Mondays 10am-11am, Tuesdays 8pm-9pm, Wednesdays 10am-11am, Thursdays 7pm-8pm & 8pm – 9pm, Saturdays 10am-11am & 11am-12pm.
Perfect Circle Dance Studio: Mondays 9.45-10.45, Tuesday 8pm-9pm, Wednesdays 8pm-9pm, Thursdays 8pm-9pm

Review: Wildwood Wildlife Park

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Michelle

It was a washout of a weekend but did that stop us from getting out and about? No siree! Armed (or should that be legged) with wellies, rain macs and the promise of a warm lunch in the cafe we headed to Wildwood, home to 300 native animals and set in 40 acres of beautiful ancient woodland in Herne Bay, Kent.

Picture thanks to Stuart Herbert @ Flickr.com

Independent Review: Arriving at Wildwood, named ‘Kent’s best British Wildlife Park’ we were given a map and set loose into the woodland. The first animal encounter was with some Wallabies, which seemed a little bit at odds with the native British Wildlife theme, however they were cute so we’ll let them off.

Next we came across some Fallow Deer that were being fed by a keeper. There was a fun moment when the keeper said how Berni (one of the male deer) would take a piece of carrot and then spit it out – sure enough he did – cue lots of chuckling. The kids also got to handle an old pair of antlers and learn facts about them (did you know that an antler about the size of an adult thigh bone only takes about four months to grow?)

The centre is very well sign-posted and you can either do a big loop around the whole park or take shortcuts. We wandered along the route taking in the animals such as Deer, Owls, Foxes, Red Squirrels, Wild Horses and Badgers. Due to the cold weather and the fact that we had brought our own foghorn with us, in the guise of Noah, quite a few of the animals were hiding. However, we did see plenty and were surprised by how gorgeous the Wild Boar were, with their black shaggy coats and wet snuffling snouts. There were also Bison, Wild Cats, Lynx and Wolves.

Picture thanks to Keith Marshall @ Flickr.com

The Wolves put on a really great display for us howling in unison and creating a very atmospheric feel to the woodland. Ferne had a ‘moment’ when she saw a rabbit hopping around and refused to move. Fortunately it didn’t stray too close to the wolves and eventually it hopped off so we could get into the café and warm up.

The cafe is pretty basic but has everything you need. Set in the playground area, it serves up Little Squirrels meals at £2.50 or Bigger Badger meals at £3.50 (pizza, sausage, chips and beans etc). For adults there were jacket potatoes and pies.

The playground, which catered for under 5s-teens was fantastic. The piece de resistance being a huge slide with a near vertical drop. Noah went up the stairs to have a go but chickened out and I don’t blame him – it looks pretty scary. There is also a big fort, slides, climbing frames and a long flying fox. The playground area is surrounded by picnic tables and benches, so I would imagine on a sunny day it would be a very nice spot to sit and watch the kids.

All in all we really enjoyed Wildwood. I would definitely recommend that you bring outdoor shoes, a camera and a picnic.

Wildwood, Herne Common, Herne Bay, Kent, CT6 7LQ
Entry to Wildwood is £9.95 for adults and £7.95 for kids aged over 3, there is also a family ticket £32.50
Check the Wildwood site for opening times

This is an independent review and I did not receive free tickets or payment to write this post.

More reviews from mummyratesit

REVIEWS LINKY: Calling all reviewers. Add your review to my linky below and each week I’ll announce a ‘Review of The Week’ and shout about it on here and on Twitter. Not enough? Ok then, I’ll also throw in a lovely badge for your site with a picture of a horse! Any reviews are welcome – this linky is by no means restricted to baby/mummy stuff.
Winner will be announced Friday!

PS: Last week's winner was Attachment Mummy with her review of the Bug in a Rug wrap. Well done AM x

Review and Win: Justin’s Jokes

Posted on May 3, 2012 by Michelle

Justin Mania isn’t just for teenage girls who love little, funny-haired pop stars, oh no. In our house manic behaviour is brought about by the sight of the ‘other Justin’, the children’s TV one, who loves nothing more than a good old gag or two. Great news then that Justin has brought out a new joke book – here’s my review of ‘My First Justin’s Jokes’ PLUS I have 5 copies for you to win!

Independent Review: No sooner was My First Justin’s Jokes produced from my bag than it was snatched from my hands (note, must discipline about snatching). You see Justin is somewhat of a mega-star when it comes to kids. He is to children what John Bishop is to adults – a loveable, comic genius.

The great thing about Justin’s new book being a jokey one is there’s no preamble – it captures its audience right from the start. Think groans and mega moans (a la Christmas Cracker) from the adults whilst the kids, on the other hand, are doubled over, flat on the floor, crying with laughter. Yes, these jokes include poo and wee which is always a hit with our two.

I don’t want to be a spoiler and tell you all the jokes in the book as I think you’ll appreciate hearing them ‘fresh’ on first delivery. However, my personal favourite was the one about the Triceratops whilst Ferne loved the one about the Interrupting Cow.

There are about 40 jokes in the book and the pages are littered with pictures of Justin doing crazy stuff like pretending to be a Spaceman and juggling a can of peas. The pictures make it suitable for younger kids who can look at them whilst the parents tell the jokes. I would say that younger kids will need help understanding the jokes but after that they are quick to remember them. Ferne, for example, played a game with Grandpa where he read out the joke and she delivered the punch line. Noah was able to remember the jokes completely and could have had his own slot at the Comedy Store!

Priced at £4.99, published by Faber, on sale from 7th May…. I reckon My First Justin’s Jokes would make a great buy for any child aged 3+.

WIN: I have 5 copies of My First Justin’s Jokes to giveaway. All you need to do is write a joke/funny story in the comments below (keep them clean please!) Winners will be chosen at random on the 1st June 2012. Winners will be notified. UK residents only please. Many thanks.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of My First Justin’s Jokes to review, however, as with all mummyratesit reviews, this review contains my own words and opinions.

REVIEWS LINKY: Calling all reviewers. Add your review to my linky below and each week I’ll announce a ‘Review of The Week’ and shout about it on here and on Twitter. Not enough? Ok then, I’ll also throw in a lovely badge for your site with a picture of a horse! Any reviews are welcome – last week’s winner, Knitty Mummy wrote a review about chair covers so this linky is by no means restricted to baby/mummy stuff!
Winner will be anounced next Friday!

ThePrizeFinder – UK Competitions

5 minutes – 5 stories

Posted on April 30, 2012 by Michelle

Got five minutes to spare? Then you’ll love these five, quick stories. From a cake that can tell you that sex of your unborn child to why Dame Edna and Barry Humphries are avoiding cake like the plague PLUS the girls who use not so sweet methods to find a Sugardaddy and how one nutty blogger has just swam in freezing waters to raise money for Save The Children.

Cakes reveal sex of unborn babies
It had to come from America … Parents who want to reveal the sex of their unborn baby to family and friends are making or buying cakes which have a coloured sponge inside. With a gaggle of guests surrounding the cake the parents cut into it and reveal either a pink or a blue sponge. Ta da! Some parents even go so far as to ask the obstetrician not to tell them the sex but instead write it down and put it in a sealed envelope. The parents then pass this to the baker who makes the cake – creating a surprise for the parents too. Sounds a wee bit bonkers to me, but hang on… it’s another excuse to eat cake, oh what the heck!

Picture thanks to Lasandri @ Flickr.com

Sudocrem launch new kids’ skincare mousses
We’ve trusted them with our little one’s bottoms for a long time so it makes sense that Sudocrem have branched out into looking after the rest of their bodies. New kids on the block are the Moisturising Mousse and Suncream Mousse. The fact that they are mousses certainly went down well with my little tester, Ferne. She gets very dry skin on her arms, hands and face and so a few squirts of mousse on those areas after a bath was seen as being fun. The mousse sank in very quickly and she enjoyed helping me to rub it in. Being both fragrance-free and hypoallergenic meant that the mousse didn’t sting and she happily came back for more on further days. Her skin has improved since using the cream and we haven’t had to use it so regularly. Oh, and word on the street is that Mums have been using it for themselves – I heard one Mum saying she’d been ‘moussing herself up’ and her skin was feeling fab! Note to self. Regarding the suncream, I’m afraid we are yet to road test that as the weather has been so pants. Stay tuned and I’ll review that as soon as it stops raining!
Sudocrem Moisturing Mousse, £5.99 and Suncream Mousse, £10 are available from Boots

Sugarbabes turn to the web to catch a Sugardaddy
No sooner had The Sunday Times Rich List 2012 been announced than website Sugardaddy saw a 200% increase in hits. According to its founder, Simon Anderson, some ‘sugerbabes’ got their manicured mitts on the list at 7am and by lunchtime had already contacted 100 guys on the list to arrange dates. The website has its own dating portal so that women can contact the men directly and ‘safely’. Having a snoop on the site I found lots of ‘useful’ info on how to lure a Sugardaddy – have a nose and see how a ‘Sugarbabe’ operates.

Possums! Meet Dame Edna – new ambassador of Jenny Craig diets
First it was Mel B aka ‘Scary Spice’ who was the face and body of the Jenny Craig diet… now it’s the turn of another diva – Dame Edna! The queen of Aussie comedy and her creator Barry Humphries are to follow the diet in order to lose 33lbs each before going on her farewell tour. Comparing their influence over the general public to that of the Beckhams, Edna and Barry admitted they had: ‘let ourselves go a bit’. Suddenly dieting has got a whole lot more fun!
Dame Edna to follow the Jenny Craig diet - www.mummyratesit.co.uk five minutes - five stories

Blogitforbabies makes a splash!

Many bloggers are currently involved in highlighting Save The Children’s ‘Build it for Babies‘ campaign but only one completely nutty blogger has put herself into Southampton’s freezing waters to raise money for the cause. If you want to see some very untitillating wet T-shirt footage (no offence to Mammasaurus as she’s gorge but it looks so cold and windy that you just want to jump through the screen and wrap her up in a big shaggy blanket) have a look and then maybe make a donation? If you don’t have any money to spare then how about making your shopping do the work by signing up to Give as You Live and choosing Save The Children as the beneficiary?

In my wardrobe: Olivia Rubin and Lulu Guinness

Posted on April 27, 2012 by Michelle

As you may or may not know, I do love a spot of clothes shopping, so you can imagine how excited I was this week when I was able to get my mitts on not one but two high street/designer collaborations. Firstly, the Olivia Rubin range for Dorothy Perkins and then, last night, Lulu Guinness’ T-shirts for Uniqlo.

Olivia Rubin for Dorothy Perkins

Rubin’s collection for Dorothy Perkins launched this week and I must say I loved pretty much all of it. Her holiday-inspired prints featuring birds and shells are very cute indeed. Cleverly she’s tried to design something for every shape so there’s something for everyone. I particularly like the peplum (good for tum disguising) and the floaty sleeves (good for bingo wing cover-up).

Much as I’d like to I wasn’t about to snap up the whole collection and some of the dresses, although very pretty, were too dressy. So, in the end I opted for the Pink bird maxi dress. Why? Well, because with a maxi you can dress it up or wear it casual. I thought that IF (and it’s a big IF) the weather cheers up I could wear it dressed down for picnics, beach holidays and the like and dress it up for parties and dinners out (I live in a dream world where I go to lots of parties and meals out but never have the need for really practical clothes!)

Well, that pink maxi has just been delivered and it will not be going back. Yay! I’ve just tried it on and my verdict is: it’s lush. I will, however, point out two things to anyone considering buying it. In my opinion whereas Dotty P’s is usually quite generous this does come up quite small. Secondly, it is EXTREMELY pink. Online it looks kind of dusky but in the ‘flesh’ it is close to neon. As I’ve said I don’t mind that in fact I love that but just so you have the head’s up.

Lulu Guinness for Uniqlo

My second dabble into the world of designer collabs came last night at Grazia’s ‘Lulu Guinness for Uniqlo’ event. Entering the flagship store on Oxford Street we were greeted by a range of gorgeous looking and even better tasting cocktails.

There was quite a frenzy in the LG T-shirt area but with enough elbowing and enough slurps of cocktail I managed to get my hands on two of her designs. Firstly, the cat eyes, nose and whiskers (which I later had painted onto my nail) and secondly the cat and mouse graphic-print T-shirt.

Lulu Guinness made an appearance last night and there was quite some excitement. One fashion-goer had come bedecked in all things LG – two bags, glasses, even earrings and got the lady herself to sign the lining of her bag. I was trying to take all this in but shopping, eating the most scrumptious macaroons (by Laduree) and helping myself to the old-school pick ‘n mix was quite a feat.

I also waited my turn to have a manicure. The team, who had worked on London Fashion Week were using the Butter range of nail varnishes and were telling me how wonderful the products were (Vegan friendly, no chemicals and brilliant colours). As I mentioned, there were different Lulu Guinness-inspired manicures to choose from and I opted to have red nails but with one painted with the LG cat face (I enjoyed showing that to Noah and Ferne this morning).

Importantly, back to the T-shirts. In contrast to the Dotty P range I’d say these T-shirts come up quite large so the medium on me is as big as I’d want it. Bear this in mind when ordering!

MORE Fashion stories on www.mummyratesit.co.uk