I'm back

I apologise for the long hiatus on this blog - I'd started to run out of new things to write about so have decided to slightly change the skew of the blog and make it more about moneysaving for familes. My moneysaving journey began when I decided I had had enough of constantly having no money left at the end of the month. While I consider myself to be a fairly frugal person, I also knew there was more I could do, as I always saw friends who seemed to be much better off than me - a coffee and a cake on a Saturday morning seeming to use up half of my weekly food shopping budget.


So, welcome to my world. I'll share budget recipes that could pass for Nigella, great discounts that I find for those special must-have-don't-need items and cheap ways to spend a day out with kids. If you have any suggestions, please do leave me a comment, I'd love to hear your tips.

Love, Siobhan

Toddler ready meals

S enjoying his Little Dish Mild Chicken Korma

As much as we'd all like to cook fresh food from scratch for our babies and toddlers, sometimes time does not allow us to. Perhaps you've gone out for the morning, fully intending to come home for lunch, but then you bump into a friend and decide to go for a coffee together - and the cafe doesn't sell anything suitable for your little one to have for lunch! This is where ready prepared baby food comes in handy. We're all used to seeing the little jars lined up on supermarket shelves, but what about when your child is eating proper, chunky meals at home - a jar just isn't going to cut it. I decided to roadtest the different offerings available for a child of S's age (22 months), and I have to say, I wasn't disappointed in any. 

First up, we tried Plum's Taste Adventurers range. These meals are designed to be stored at ambient temperatures, making them perfect to pop into the changing bag for use in an emergency. They can be warmed or eaten cold, and come in their own disposable bowl - very convenient. They are aimed at babies aged 10 months or over so are a little smoother than S is now used to, but served alongside a chunk of bread with some cheese squares and fruit, they make a great, convenient meal for a hungry toddler. The range includes Mediterranean Paella and Salmon, Root Vegetable and Beef Casserole, Aubergine and Lamb Moussaka, Sweet Cape Curry with Beef and Chickpea and Chicken Tagine. One criticism of them is that they don't have a lid (which would make the bowl format even better). They also have that "baby food" aftertaste that I can't quite pin down, but S enjoyed them all, especially the Chickpea and Chicken Tagine. 

Next up was Little Dish's range of kids ready meals. These are my favourite by far as they are more like conventional ready meals, in that they are stored in the fridge and taste much more fresh than other ready prepared baby foods. In fact, my husband is always hoping S isn't having a hungry day when there's a Little Dish meal on the plate, so that he can finish it off! However, the fact that they are fridge stored does mean they are not as convenient, as you can't really carry them round in case you need them. They are however wonderful for those evenings when you've had a long day of play and you just need a quick meal at home, especially as they show on the sleeve how many portions of veg they contain. S adores the Mild Chicken Korma, although all the range went down well. The range is aimed at children aged 12 months plus and includes Beef Lasagne, Fish Pie, Spaghetti and Meatballs, Chicken Risotto, Chicken and Butternut Squash Pie, Pasta with Cheese, Peas and Broccoli Trees and Pasta Bolognaise. Little Dish also sell a cookbook, full of wonderful recipes to cook at home.

Then we tried the Organix range of Mighty Meals. These, like the Plum meals, are stored at ambient temperatures, but they are more similar to the Little Dish meals in that they are more chunky, aimed at 12 months plus. They do still have that baby food aftertaste which Little Dish have avoided, but look more like a meal than the Plum meals that are aimed at slightly younger children. S particularly enjoyed the Vegetable and Chicken Korma; the range also includes Hearty Lamb Hotpot, Tomatoey Beef Bolognese, Creamy Chicken Pasta, Pork Meatballs, Herby Salmon and Potato Bites, Beef Stew and Dumplings and Spinach Falafels.We are going away on holiday next week and plan to take a bag of these with us!

The one criticism I would have of all of these ranges is that there are very few vegetarian options - Little Dish just have their Pasta with Cheese, Peas and Broccoli Trees and Organix the Spinach Falafels, while Plum don't have any in the Taste Adventures range. I would like to see more vegetarian meals for families who choose not to eat meat, either ever or just as a break, but still want to eat a healthy, balanced meal.

Just to try something different, we have Ella's Kitchen's new range of cereals a try. S really enjoyed the Wakey Wakey Round Ones (aimed again at children aged 12 months plus), which I was a little surprised at as he is used to Cheerios and Weetabix in the mornings. I did think these may not be sweet enough for what he is used to as they have no added sugar but he wolfed them down. It's great to have a cereal like this that is aimed at toddlers as it's hard to find no added sugar cereals that they will enjoy.

So, next time you're planning a day out and you're worrying about what to feed that energetic bundle of noise and love, don't worry - reach for one of these options and you can be sure you are getting a good, healthy meal into them.

The First Cut

A few weeks back, S and I indulged our artistic sides when we took in the Family Art Club at Manchester Art Gallery. The Family Art Club generally runs one Saturday a month and is for ages 6-11, however during holiday periods it is often opened up to ages 0-11 and so we decided to make our first visit. From previous visits to the Mini Art Club (aimed at 0-5 year olds) I knew that S can be a little wary of messy play, so I was pleased to find that this session was paper-themed, to fit in with their exhibition The First Cut. The exhibition itself is amazing, showing works by artists who cut, sculpt and manipulate paper, such as Rob Ryan and Claire Brewster. The first part of the session involved a visit to the exhibition and identifying as many geometrical shapes as you could. I was a little worried about allowing S into a space with such delicate artworks but he was fairly well behaved, shouting "Circle!" and "Square!" whenever he saw one. He has recently developed a love for shapes so this session was perfectly timed! 

Andreas Kocks, In the Beginning (2007)

After looking at the artworks, we then moved back to the education space where there were tables laid out with glue, safety scissors and different shapes of paper and stickers, to allow you create your own artwork. There were also tubes attached to the wall and children were encouraged to lie their paper flat underneath then throw the shapes down the tubes and glue them where they lay.

S thoroughly enjoyed this session and it was a relief to not have to clean paint off his tiny hands at the end! His art work ended up looking a little like a Miró and I might even get it framed...

CBeebies CD release

If, like mine, your child's face lights up when they hear the theme tune to their favourite CBeebies show, this CD is definitely one to add to the Christmas pile. Full of theme tunes from shows like 64 Zoo Lane, In The Night Garden and Abadas along with familiar songs from within shows like Charlie and Lola, the CBeebies album is perfect for this dancing-on-the-sofa rainy days, long car journeys or even at bedtime. I was thrilled to discover the bedtime song on the CD (The Time Has Come To Say Goodnight) as it has become part if S's bedtime routine and it's nice to not have to turn the TV on. Be warned though. The songs are ever so catchy. All together now... "Numtums, Numtums It's a number-tumber-number day..." CBeebies: The Album is released on November 9th and is available to pre-order from Amazon now.

Porcini Mushroom Risotto

Porcini mushrooms. Delicious little things, but pretty expensive, right? Well, Sainsburys have come up with a fantastic way to add that gorgeous taste to your meals without shelling out for a bag of dried mushrooms that, frankly, weighs less than the money it cost to buy them (because really, who outside of London can lay their hands on fresh ones easily?)

As part of their new Speciality Ingredients range, they have produced a porcini mushroom paste that is full of salty, savoury yumminess. They recommend trying it in pasta or soup, however the Scrumptious household enjoy a tasty risotto every now and again so we gave it a go.

It was a resounding success! The paste added that lovely umami taste to the risotto without us having to go through the hassle of soaking the dried mushrooms for hours. We used half a jar which was more than enough to feed us and a hungry toddler. Please bear in mind that cooked rice can be dangerous if left at room temperature so if you are feeding a child using the recipe below, serve as soon as it is cooked and cooled enough. Please also check their salt levels for the day and omit the wine.

**The recipe has been amended from the BBC's Really Easy Risotto recipe**

Porcini Mushroom and Asparagus risotto

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 white onion, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• A handful of white or chestnut mushrooms
• 1 small glass of dry white wine (omit if feeding to a child - why not just drink it while cooking?!)
• 120g arborio risotto rice
• 1/2 jar Sainsbury's Porcini Mushroom paste
• 1 pint hot vegetable stock (try Marigold Reduced Salt Bouillon or  Heinz Cook at Home stock cubes, especially if feeding to a child)
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh basil
• 10g butter
• Freshly grated parmesan
• As many asparagus spears as you like!

Preparation:

1. Heat the oil in a large, heavy based saucepan and add the onion and garlic. Fry over a gentle heat for 2-3 minutes, until softened. Add the mushrooms and fry for a further 2-3 minutes, until browned.
2. Stir in the rice and coat in the oil. Pour in the wine (if using) and simmer, stirring, until the liquid has been absorbed. Add the porcini mushroom paste and allow to sizzle a little, but don't allow the rice to dry out. Add a ladleful of the stock and simmer, stirring again, until the liquid has been absorbed. Continue adding the stock in this way, until all the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is plump and tender. 
3. Meanwhile, prepare the asparagus tips by holding at both ends, bending and allowing them to snap. Set aside the tips and chop the stems thinly until you reach the part that feels woody, discard this part. Steam the tips until tender but NOT mushy.
4.  Add the sliced asparagus stems to the risotto and stir through. Cook for a couple of minutes, adding a splash of hot water if it starts to stick. Then stir through most of the chopped basil, parmesan and butter.
5. Allow to sit for a few minutes as this will relax the rice, allowing it to ooze out its starch, making the risotto even creamier. When serving, top with the steamed asparagus tips and a little more chopped basil.

Serve with fresh crusty bread and a green salad.

Yum! I'd love to hear your comments below if you make this, or if you have any questions about the recipe or the product.



Disclaimer: Sainsburys sent me the product for review purposes only

Healthy eating for family car trips

Heading out on a long car journey with the family? Then don’t forget to take enough tasty treats and thirst-quenching drinks to keep them happy.

Don’t be tempted to lug along unhealthy crisps, sweets, chocolate and other junk foods. With a little preparation you can provide nutritious nibbles that the whole family can enjoy – and leave your car crumb-free to boot. 

How much to bring
You should certainly bring a few snacks, but if you’ll be driving over lunch or dinner time, you might want to forgo the expensive offerings at motorway service stations, and prepare a picnic instead.

On the other hand, if you want to get to your destination as quickly as possible and feel it’s impractical to stop for a meal on the way, a big bag of substantial snacks will certainly keep everyone going.

Clean and tidy
It might seem an improbable dream to eat without mess in the car, but there are steps you can take.

• Fresh food and drinks should be packed in an easy-to-reach cool bag. If you don’t own a cool bag, you can’t ensure your entire family meal will stay edible on a long journey, so pack dry snacks instead.
• Keep wet wipes on hand for filthy fingers.
• Use a carrier bag as a bin for dirty Tupperware, cutlery, food scraps, etc.
• Bring kitchen roll for mopping up the odd inevitable spillage.
• If you do plan to stop for a picnic, don’t forget the all-important blanket.

Delicious drinks
You should avoid fizzy drinks, as many are loaded with E numbers, sugar and caffeine – not good for children stuck in a car.

Water is the best thing to drink – it’s healthy, hydrating and if it leaks it won’t leave a sticky mess all over your car’s upholstery. But if your children don’t like drinking water, give them vitamin-packed fruit juices and smoothies, or low-sugar fruit drinks. You could also prepare a flask of ready-to-drink cordial.

Only bring drinks that come in unbreakable bottles with screw-top lids – pouches with straws and cans are just asking to be spilt, and glass bottles are an accident waiting to happen.

Must-have munchies
Car-suitable snacks should be mess-free and easy enough for even a toddler to handle with ease.

Fresh snacks can include fruit – anything that doesn’t have peel, pips, a stone or a core is best, or you might prefer to chop up fruit and bring it in sealed Tupperware containers. Don’t forget a fork and a carrier bag to put your dirty containers in afterwards.

Vegetable sticks are another great option – we’re talking celery, cucumber and carrot batons. Cherry tomatoes are tasty, but can squirt juice. A dip can liven up your vegetables, but take plenty of kitchen paper, unless you want to find splodges of it round the car later.

Dips, such as hummus, are also good for dunking pitta bread. Or, as an interesting alternative to sandwiches, why not take along tortilla wraps with ham and cheese?

Mini sausages and cheese, such as Babybel, are often a hit with kids, too, as are sticks of yoghurt, which are brilliantly fuss-free.

If you don’t have a cool bag, bring popcorn, as well as oatcakes, rice cakes and bread sticks, which you can dip in peanut butter.

Children usually like tucking into their own individual packs of raisins, yoghurt-coated dried fruit and cereal bars. If you have the time, try making some homemade flapjacks.

Picnic en route
If it’s a nice day, why not stop somewhere picturesque for a proper old-fashioned picnic? The kids will revel in running around outdoors after being cooped up in the car, and it’s a great way for the driver to refresh themselves before getting behind the wheel again.

Your picnic should include all the usual suspects – sandwiches, quiche, tart, pâté, olives, crusty bread and cheese. And don’t forget dessert – yoghurt, cold puddings in pots, mini muffins or slices of cake are all good options.


Author Bio:
Tara Nathanson writes for Sainsbury’s Bank Matters Blog on a range of topics including car insurance, car safety and other motoring topics. In her spare time she likes going to the cinema and doing yoga and Zumba classes, and at weekends she likes hanging out with her six-year-old son.

Pip-pip onk-onk!

On Monday, we took S to see In the Night Garden Live at the Trafford Centre in Manchester. I had, up until around a week before the show, been considering selling my tickets on as I really couldn't imagine my active, boisterous, yet at times very shy little boy sitting still for an hour. However I'm so glad we took him along as I could never have imagined how mesmerised he would be by the whole experience.

The show took place in a specially constructed inflatable Showdome, with buggy parking, microwaves and plenty of baby changing facilities - as soon as we arrived we knew that people were running the show who completely understood how it can be taking a child anywhere new; this was incredibly reassuring.

The ticket price included a free programme which took a little of the sting away from the ticket price - although S was a little bit young to appreciate the content, it's something we can put away for him to enjoy in the future.

We sat down in the Showdome with 20 minutes to spare before the show started, we were a little worried about this as S doesn't like sitting still but there was plenty of room for him to explore, and better still he was allowed to! Up and down the stairs, round and round the room, and lots of other friendly children to say "HIYA!" to. As soon as the opening music began however, he sat on our knees and watched intently, clapping and shouting away.

All the main characters from the TV show were present, along with some fantastic puppeteers. Perspective was played with brilliantly as Makka Pakka grew and shrunk depending on which characters he was interacting with. We attended the Pinky Ponk show where Makka Pakka washed the characters' faces; there is also a Ninky Nonk show which I believe involves Igglepiggle losing his blanket. The stories aren't going to win any Booker prizes but the children absolutely loved watching Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy, the Tombliboos, the Pontipines and of course Makka Pakka getting up to all the usual tricks they see on television.

It's definitely worth a visit - we can't wait until next year!