Whether you’re thinking about weaning your baby or you’ve already introduced solids to your baby’s diet, preparing separate meals for your child and the rest of your family can become tiresome. Why not make life a little easier at dinnertime and introduce baby to healthy, nutritious grown-up food with the help of Mandy Haywood, Boots Baby Food Expert.
Boots has also introduced an exclusive range of Organic Stock Cubes, in beef, chicken and vegetable flavours, to help you create great flavours baby will love. They contain no artificial colours, flavourings or preservatives and are free from egg, milk products, soya and gluten as well as having a controlled salt level suitable for baby.
Here, Mandy offers a series of simple Christmas recipes suitable for the whole family, as well as tips and advice on how to prepare them for your baby.
Mandy’s Tips for Feeding Baby
These recipes can be used for the whole family, just ensure you remove baby’s portion(s) prior to adding any salt or strong spices.
The quantities are given as guidelines, increase or decrease the amounts as required.
These recipes can be blended to any texture, by liquidising, blending or mashing, depending on the age and development stage of your child. To add more texture serve with pasta, rice or soft vegetables such as cauliflower or broccoli.
Ensure the size of the blended food piece size is suitable for your baby and always check the temperature of the food before feeding. These recipes make approximately two or more servings depending on baby’s stage of weaning and appetite.
If freezing, use suitable dishes/containers, such as Boots Freezer Pots (from £2.99), cool quickly, then freeze. The handy containers are available in various sizes and are microwave safe.
Thaw and reheat carefully, ensuring that the meal is properly cooked through.
Always make sure there is a responsible adult present when your baby is feeding in case of choking.
RECIPES
Mushroom & Lentil Winter Warmer
Ingredients:
50g mushrooms - sliced
½ tsp olive oil
¼ onion – chopped
50g lentils (cooked as per instructions, rinsed and drained)
227g canned, chopped tomatoes
125 ml stock made from Boots Baby Organic Vegetable / Chicken Stock Cubes (£1.49 for a six pack)
Method:
Heat oil in a saucepan
Sauté onion for three minutes
Add the lentils, stir then add the tomatoes and stock
Boil for about 10 minutes
Stir in the mushrooms
Cover and simmer for 15 minutes
Blend to desired consistency
Makes two servings
Baby Christmas Dinner
Ingredients:
150g minced turkey
½ tsp olive oil
¼ onion – diced
1 small carrot – diced
1 small potato – peeled & diced
½ stick celery – thinly sliced
¼ small swede – peeled & diced
1 tbsp frozen peas
250ml stock made from Boots Baby Organic Chicken Stock Cubes (£1.49 for a six pack)
Method:
Brown the turkey. Drain off any liquid and put to one side
Sauté onion in oil
Add carrot, potato, celery and swede, sweat for about 10 minutes
Add stock and peas
Simmer until vegetables are tender
Blend to desired texture
Makes approximately two – three servings
Cottage Pie
Ingredients:
150g minced beef
½ tsp olive oil
¼ onion – diced
1 small carrot – peeled and diced
227g can chopped tomatoes
125ml stock made from Boots Baby Organic Beef Stock Cubes (£1.49 for a six pack)
1 large potato – boiled and mashed with milk
Method:
Brown beef and onion in olive oil for about six minutes
Add carrot, tomatoes and stock
Simmer for about 20 minutes
Blend to required texture
Place in dish or ramekins, top with mashed potato
If desired, brown in oven
Makes approximately two – three servings
Why not try using carrot and parsnip or sweet potato as the mash? Or maybe add a little grated cheese. You can substitute beef with minced turkey or half the beef with lentils.
Monday, 21 December 2009
Friday, 18 December 2009
Review - Winter Wonderland at The Tamworth SnowDome
In the new year I will be launching a new blog called Midlands Mums. This will be a blog for Midlands Parents by Midlands Parents, with places to go, see, shop and eat. We've been fortunate to be offered a chance to review some events before the blog launches, so I have decided to post the reviews on here as they are Christmas Shows.
This first review is by Keira, she describes her self as Mum of one (Sam, age 2) with one more on the way. I live in Birmingham. Creator of Mamascarf, breastfeeding scarf allowing mums to feed discreetly, comfortably and stylishly in public
So here is her first review of the Winter Wonderland at the Tamworth Snowdome
I was very excited to be invited to Winter Wonderland at the Tamworth Snow Dome with my family for the opening night. My little boy Sam is 2 ½ and this was our first Christmas event of the year and we also took along his little friend Sonny who is the same age. We were wrapped up warm as per our instructions and I actually had the boys in waterproof trousers (good move!).
We arrived at the Snow Dome and had to wait for about half an hour which wasn’t ideal with 2 little ones but soon we were allowed into the snow. It is a big area with an ice skating rink in the middle, it’s filled with snow (actually quite deep snow) and lined with Christmas trees and other festive stuff. There are lots of wooden sledges for you to pull children around and there are slopes (not v steep)with rubber rings to slide down on. It looked great. Unfortunately the boys were not so impressed. Within about 5 seconds one had lost his welly and had a soaking wet sock (resulting in a trip to the car for a new pair) and the other had removed his mittens and fallen in the snow and was crying because his hands were cold. Great! Things soon improved though and they had a sledge ride and a play in the snow.
From here we were taken into a theatre and were treated to a Sooty and Sweep show with help from 2 enthusiastic young presenters worthy of CBeebies. There was plenty of audience participation and the boys were mesmerised. I was amazed that Soo actually sounded like I remembered, surely it wasn’t the same person!? Father Christmas also made an appearance on stage (unfortunately this was the only time we saw him).
From here we moved onto the animals, which was great. It was done out in a stable style with various animals in pens. There were chipmunks, pigs, donkeys, rabbits, sheep and my favourite the reindeer. The pens were quite low so all ages of children could see the animals. There was also a big sleigh where you could have your photo taken by the machine and pay for it on keyrings etc. There was a wooden hut that you could look through the window of and was filled with toys, this was Father Christmas’s house. I must say I was a bit disappointed as I thought every child would get to meet the man himself as it would have been Sam’s first time.
On the way out we were given chocolate lollipops for the little ones and adults were given a heart chocolate (would have liked the lollipop myself!). Overall it was a really enjoyable few hours (the brochure quotes 1 ½). It’s not cheap, full price tickets are £16.95 (dates 5th,6th, 12th, 13th, 18th-24th Dec) and saver tickets at £12.95 (dates 1st-4th, 7th-11th, 14th-17th Dec) but where else do you get real snow, reindeer and entertainment in the Midlands!
More info can be found at www.snowdome.co.uk or for tickets telephone 08448 000011.
It is open until 31st December and booking is advised. Opening times are 9am-9pm daily.
**********************************************************************************
Thank you Keira for that great review!
Look out for our Flat Stanley Review coming soon
NM X
This first review is by Keira, she describes her self as Mum of one (Sam, age 2) with one more on the way. I live in Birmingham. Creator of Mamascarf, breastfeeding scarf allowing mums to feed discreetly, comfortably and stylishly in public
So here is her first review of the Winter Wonderland at the Tamworth Snowdome
I was very excited to be invited to Winter Wonderland at the Tamworth Snow Dome with my family for the opening night. My little boy Sam is 2 ½ and this was our first Christmas event of the year and we also took along his little friend Sonny who is the same age. We were wrapped up warm as per our instructions and I actually had the boys in waterproof trousers (good move!).
We arrived at the Snow Dome and had to wait for about half an hour which wasn’t ideal with 2 little ones but soon we were allowed into the snow. It is a big area with an ice skating rink in the middle, it’s filled with snow (actually quite deep snow) and lined with Christmas trees and other festive stuff. There are lots of wooden sledges for you to pull children around and there are slopes (not v steep)with rubber rings to slide down on. It looked great. Unfortunately the boys were not so impressed. Within about 5 seconds one had lost his welly and had a soaking wet sock (resulting in a trip to the car for a new pair) and the other had removed his mittens and fallen in the snow and was crying because his hands were cold. Great! Things soon improved though and they had a sledge ride and a play in the snow.
From here we were taken into a theatre and were treated to a Sooty and Sweep show with help from 2 enthusiastic young presenters worthy of CBeebies. There was plenty of audience participation and the boys were mesmerised. I was amazed that Soo actually sounded like I remembered, surely it wasn’t the same person!? Father Christmas also made an appearance on stage (unfortunately this was the only time we saw him).
From here we moved onto the animals, which was great. It was done out in a stable style with various animals in pens. There were chipmunks, pigs, donkeys, rabbits, sheep and my favourite the reindeer. The pens were quite low so all ages of children could see the animals. There was also a big sleigh where you could have your photo taken by the machine and pay for it on keyrings etc. There was a wooden hut that you could look through the window of and was filled with toys, this was Father Christmas’s house. I must say I was a bit disappointed as I thought every child would get to meet the man himself as it would have been Sam’s first time.
On the way out we were given chocolate lollipops for the little ones and adults were given a heart chocolate (would have liked the lollipop myself!). Overall it was a really enjoyable few hours (the brochure quotes 1 ½). It’s not cheap, full price tickets are £16.95 (dates 5th,6th, 12th, 13th, 18th-24th Dec) and saver tickets at £12.95 (dates 1st-4th, 7th-11th, 14th-17th Dec) but where else do you get real snow, reindeer and entertainment in the Midlands!
More info can be found at www.snowdome.co.uk or for tickets telephone 08448 000011.
It is open until 31st December and booking is advised. Opening times are 9am-9pm daily.
**********************************************************************************
Thank you Keira for that great review!
Look out for our Flat Stanley Review coming soon
NM X
Tuesday, 15 December 2009
Review - Lily-Rose Design
Lily-Rose Designs is a family business offering hand made, high quality, personalised gifts. Each gift is handmade with lots of love so these are very special and unique, you won't find them on the high street.
Lily-Rose Designs is a website company run by Nanette a very busy wife to Russell &; Mummy to our 3 year old little girl Lily-Rose.
Lily-Rose Designs is based in Northampton, where Nanette runs the business from home. Here she looks after her family as well as designing and making all her own gifts with that added personal touch
The lovely Nanette sent me three lovely gifts, one for BG's 1st Birthday and two for Christmas.
For BG's birthday I was given a Baby's 1st Birthday bag, which is a Pink Organza gift bag filled with a Silver 1st Rosette. Candle in the shape of a number 1. sparkles & a small happy birthday candle. Banner that reads 'Baby's 1st Birthday',And a babys bib embroided with Happy 1st Birthday. Wrapped in tissue paper and gift bag. This also comes in blue for a boy.
This is a gorgeous little set, the bib is really pretty and is of the over the head ones so BG can't pull it off (yet!). Its an ideal gift and at £4.99 its affordable and unique. You can find this and other great birthday presents in Birthday Boutique section
BG in her birthday bib
Now I know BG is only one and doesn't really understand Christmas but it doesn't stop me getting Christmas gifts for her. So I was also sent a letter from santa for her and some Reindeer food!
The personalised letter from Santa is such a lovely idea, you give Nannette the name, address and the present the child wants and she makes a gorgeous letter just for them from santa, this costs just £3.99 and is a great keepsake gift.
The final gift I was sent and probably my favourite was some Magic Reindeer Food, its sparkly so you sprinkle it in your garden so Santa's Reindeer know where to laid! Such a fab idea which I completely love and I'm sure all the children out there will as well. Reindeer foods costs £1.99 and can be found with the Letter from Santa and some truely lovely Christmas gifts in the Christmas Boutique section.
The Lilly-Rose Designs site is fantastic, its easy to navigate and has great boutque sections such as Baby Gifts, Church, Wedding and possibly my favourite section the Fairy Boutique
This is a great, family run, unqiue site with some great personal touches. With each delivery comes a white envelope that contains a "made with love" charm and a voucher for 10% off your next purchase!
I suggest that you go along have a look and then save Lilly-Rose Designs in your favorites because you are going to want to keep going back
NM X
Monday, 14 December 2009
Flat Stanley
To celebrate this year’s Lakeside Christmas production of Flat Stanley, the arts centre is looking for anyone with the Christian name of Stanley – who will be invited to enjoy the show for free!
Jeff Brown’s much loved tale, Flat Stanley is on now at the Lakeside, University Park, Nottingham. The popular children’s book has been adapted by Mike Kenny, winner of the Arts Council's Children's Award.
To celebrate the treasured tale coming to The Lakeside Arts Centre, all those that can prove their name is Stanley are wanted for a photocall with the real Flat Stanley.can see the show for free! The show has already received rave reviews – and is perfect for younger children. Tickets are just £7 each.
The Christmas show is for children from three years old and their families and is the story of Stanley Lambchop, a normal healthy boy - until a notice board falls on him. Now half an inch thick, Stanley has lots of adventures.
Flat Stanley will be complemented with an exhibition featuring the Lambchop family, in the Wallner Gallery in the D H Lawrence Pavilion.
People must prove their name is Stanley by bringing some form of identification to take part. To register, all Stanleys should contact Katherine or Liz on 0115 9410714.
Watch out for our review coming soon!
NM X
*And if a mum from Nottinghamshire would like to review the play and blog her review – they can contact Katherine or Liz for their free tickets!
Friday, 4 December 2009
Save 10% on selected baby products, exclusive to Boots.com shoppers
It couldn't be easier to shop and save. Just log in to your Boots.com account and browse our selection of discounted products including pushchairs, car seats, nursery equipment, selected baby toiletries from Cowshed and Miamoo and selected maternity underwear. After you've made your choices, simply add them to your basket.
When it comes to checkout, type the code BSCF28 into the promotional box to receive your 10% discount. Please remember that you must be registered with Boots.com and logged in when placing your order to receive this discount.
Click here to go to the Boots Mother & Baby section and start shopping.
Terms and Conditions
The offer excludes prescription items, gift boxing, delivery charges, gift vouchers, infant formula (up to six months) and Mini Mode.
The offer applies to pushchairs, car seats, nursery equipment, selected baby toiletries from Cowshed and Miamoo and selected maternity underwear.
Boots UK Limited reserves the right to withdraw the offer without notice.
The offer is valid from 02.12.2009 until 15.12.2009.
You must be registered with Boots.com and logged in when placing your order to receive the discount.
This promotional code is valid only once for each registered Boots.com user as defined by their registered email address and/or credit card address and/or delivery address.
Only one promotional code can be used per transaction.
The offer cannot be used in conjunction with certain other Boots.com offers.
The offer is non-transferable
NM X
When it comes to checkout, type the code BSCF28 into the promotional box to receive your 10% discount. Please remember that you must be registered with Boots.com and logged in when placing your order to receive this discount.
Click here to go to the Boots Mother & Baby section and start shopping.
Terms and Conditions
The offer excludes prescription items, gift boxing, delivery charges, gift vouchers, infant formula (up to six months) and Mini Mode.
The offer applies to pushchairs, car seats, nursery equipment, selected baby toiletries from Cowshed and Miamoo and selected maternity underwear.
Boots UK Limited reserves the right to withdraw the offer without notice.
The offer is valid from 02.12.2009 until 15.12.2009.
You must be registered with Boots.com and logged in when placing your order to receive the discount.
This promotional code is valid only once for each registered Boots.com user as defined by their registered email address and/or credit card address and/or delivery address.
Only one promotional code can be used per transaction.
The offer cannot be used in conjunction with certain other Boots.com offers.
The offer is non-transferable
NM X
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