Nov

Funky Fat Choc Review and Giveaway!

Louisa Mesquita Bakka, Founder of Funky Fat Foods

Louisa Mesquita Bakker founded Funky Fat Foods 5 years ago after adopting a low carb, high fat lifestyle in order to address and successfully manage a health condition. Louisa has created a gourmet line of chocolate bars which are keto friendly, plant based, soy, sugar, gluten and trans fat free. The chocolate bars are made with very clean ingredients and have organic cacao, organic MCT powder and organic erythritol as the main ingredients which sets these bars apart from others on the market.

While traditional chocolate bars are laden with low quality cocoa, unhealthy sugars and artificial sweeteners which will spike your blood sugar, funky fat choc bars are made with 4 or 5 clean ingredients and average 2.5 net carbs per bar which is truly remarkable. Funky Fat Choc Bars are made in the Netherlands and as with all EU packaged products, the total carbs have already been subtracted from the fibre. Net carbs can be calculated by subtracting the polyols (e.g. erythritol) from the total carbs.

The Funky Fat Choc line currently consists of 5 delicious flavours: White Chocolate 48% and Bourbon Vanilla, Coconut, Dark Chocolate 70% and Coffee, Dark Chocolate 75% and Dark Chocolate 71% and Hazelnut. Our taste test panel unanimously agree that the chocolate bars are exceptionally creamy and richly flavoured with a melt-in-your-mouth texture. The bars are sweetened to perfection and are the ideal treat to finish off your meal.

Funky Fat Foods Coconut, White Chocolate

The White Chocolate bar 48% and Bourbon Vanilla, is a healthy take on the traditional sugar laden and highly processed white chocolate bars from our youth. This rich and creamy bar has a lovely Bourbon Vanilla flavour which will transport you to a tropical island and remind you of a carefree summer holiday. For readers who are sensitive to caffeine, but are craving something creamy, this white chocolate bar is a great choice. The Dark Chocolate 71% and Coconut, will appeal to all the coconut lovers out there. The subtle coconut flakes pair perfectly with the rich, creamy and smooth dark chocolate and is the perfect flavour to reach for when you want something a little bit different.

The Dark Chocolate 70% and Coffee is the flavour to reach for when you need a little pick me up in the morning. The coffee granules add a little crunch to the bite and the mocha flavour is not overwhelming like other coffee bars on the market. The balance between the rich, smooth and creamy dark chocolate and coffee is sheer perfection and this flavour is sure to be a favourite choice amongst our readers. The Dark Chocolate 75% was very well received by our panel and a standout winner. If you have ever tried your hand at making dark chocolate at home, you will appreciate how extraordinarily difficult it is to create a smooth and well balanced bar with the right texture. The Dark Chocolate 75% strikes the perfect balance between creaminess, sweetness and luxurious melt in your mouth texture that it is sure to be the flavour that you will reach for time and time again.

Last, but certainly not least, is the Dark Chocolate 71% Hazelnut, which has a subtle nutty hazelnut flavour and is a lovely choice if you are in the mood for something nutty. Our panel loved all the flavours but the Dark Chocolate 75%, Coconut and Dark Chocolate 70% and Coffee were clear favourites.

The Funky Fat Choc line will appeal to all chocolate lovers but particularly to readers with diabetes, those who are following a low carb or keto lifestyle and those who are health conscious and seek out food items with healthy and clean ingredients.

GIVEAWAY:

Courtesy of Funky Fat Foods, we have one variety box of chocolate bars (2 x each of the 5 flavours) to giveaway to one lucky reader.

Congratulations to Paula M from Wales.

PURCHASING:

Please visit the online shop to purchase your box of chocolates. If you are new to this line, we highly recommend purchasing the variety pack in order to sample each of the 5 delicious flavours and then you decide if you would like to purchase single flavour boxes.

The Funky Fats Foods website has recipes to support a keto and low carb website.

2 weeks ago Short URL

Active Lifestyle/Health/keto/Organic

Oct

BABYBJÖRN Travel Cot Light

With the peak travel season just around the corner, families are busy making holiday plans and deciding where to stay at their destination. Whether you plan to stay at a hotel, motel or resort, give some thought to where you little one will be sleeping while on holiday.

Most travelling families use cots and play yards provided by motels and hotels. Estimates show that children under age 2 spend more than 7 million nights per year in hotels, motels and resorts. In an ongoing investigation, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the National SAFE KIDS® Campaign found unsafe cots and play yards in the majority of hotels they visited around the country. The UK and other European countries are no different. In several random surveys from 2001-2006, Safe Kids Worldwide found many hotel-issued cots to be defective, damaged or even recalled from the market. From motels to luxury resorts, SAFE KIDS found that four out of five of the hotels they checked had cots with at least one safety hazard including: loose hardware; soft bedding, comforters or pillows that could cause suffocation; or adult-sized sheets that pose a strangulation and suffocation hazard. So even if you are staying at a very pricey, upscale hotel, don’t assume that the cots that they will provide you with are any safer. Surprising, is that at the time of the investigation, only one hotel chain committed to making a concerted effort to providing safe cots at their hotels, while the remaining hotels, motels and resorts did not.

Instead of playing Russian roulette and waiting to see what kind of cot your hotel will provide you with on the day (some may not have any on site or not enough to go around), why not take the initiative and plan ahead. Introducing the BABYBJÖRN Travel Cot Light, the innovative lightweight travel cot which will change the way that you go on holiday with your child forever. Used correctly, the Travel Cot Light from BABYBJÖRN is the safest travel cot on the market, bar none. Photo (right) Copyright BABYBJÖRN

The innovative BABYBJÖRN Travel Cot Light is true to its name and weighs in at just 5kg/11lbs, making it lightweight enough to transport with ease. The BABYBJÖRN Travel Cot Light comes in its own carry case which measures 24″ x 19″ x 7″ complete with a sturdy carry strap.

Once you have arrived at your destination, setting up the BABYBJÖRN Travel Cot Light couldn’t be any easier or any quicker. Simply unzip the carrying case and remove the contents from the bag. Set the mattress aside and holding the travel cot frame in both hands, unfold with one swift movement. Check to make sure that the legs are fully extended and locked into place and then place the mattress inside the cot. That is it, you are done! Even a pregnant mom can set it up with lightening speed, as demonstrated in this demo.

The exceptional Swedish engineering enables the Travel Cot Light to unfold in one swift movement, which is truly remarkable. Even though the Travel Cot weighs in at just 5 kg, the unique design and solid construction makes it very stable. The mattress cover and fabric parts that come into contact with your baby meet Oeko-Tex standards, so parents can rest easy knowing that no harmful chemicals are coming into contact with your baby. The fabric components of the travel cot are easy to remove and are washable. The mattress measures 42 x 24 in and features a water repellent mattress cover to protect it from accidents. Travelling can be especially tough on little ones and adding to that a strange new environment which can push your baby into sensory overload. Bringing your own travel cot which your baby is familiar with, can help ease the anxiety of travel, and despite the new surroundings, baby is sleeping in his own familiar travel cot which can help to calm and soothe him.

BABYBJÖRN offers an organic cotton fitted sheet (Oeko-Tex certified) which is designed to fit the travel cot mattress perfectly, ensuring a snug and safe fit. Baby will love the soft organic cotton against his skin.

Folding the travel cot is just as easy. Reach in and remove the mattress and place it in the carry bag. Then flip the cot over and following the printed diagram, proceed to fold each leg of the cot so that they criss cross each other. Fold the cot in half and place it inside the mattress, zip the bag and you are ready to go.

The BABYBJÖRN Travel Cot Light is very versatile and will prove to be invaluable during sleepovers at grandmas house, or simply nap times at home so that mom can keep a close eye on baby during the day, while continuing with the household chores.

The BABYBJÖRN Travel Cot Light is ideal for newborns to age 3 and is currently available in a 4 colour choices. For purchasing information, please click here

For additional information, please visit: www.babybjorn.co.uk

Select photographs are Copyright BABYBJÖRN. Please see above.

2 months ago Short URL

Active Lifestyle/baby/travel

baby/BabyBjorn/Cot/Crib/hotel/travel

Aug

My Carry Potty with free potty training book

Toilet training is often feared by both parents and toddlers, especially when out and about, but with the right attitude, tools and plenty of patience and positive reassurance, you will be able to tackle this complex skill with success. Martha Sears, RN, co-author of The Baby Book, recommends waiting until your child is ready before starting potty training. Here are some signs which may indicate that your child is ready for potty training:

Your child becomes aware of his/her elimination
Your child signals that he wants to be changed after a poopy nappy
Your child expresses the need for “alone time” to eliminate in private
Your child requests assistance with changing after elimination
Your child is staying dry for longer periods of time
Your child can follow simple instructions

A child will often display these signs around age 2, which is the also the age when a child will start to assert their independence. If a new baby comes along at this time, it may make potty training difficult. It is very important to follow your child’s lead and take cues from him. Remember that you are your child’s teacher and you should never punish them. Once a child becomes aware of his functions, it will be easier to direct him to a potty chair. Try to approach potty training with a light hearted approach as being anxious will only make your child feel anxious. Have faith in your child and allow him to take the lead.

Potty Chairs offers many advantages over a regular toilet, when you are beginning potty training. A child may be afraid of the “big white toilet with the swirling water” so starting with a potty chair is a good idea. Having a potty chair on hand means that you won’t need to find a toilet in time, resulting in less overall stress. A potty chair is sized just right for toddlers and far safer than climbing onto a toilet which is oversized and too tall for them. Many potty chairs are colourful and appealing for children who can take ownership of them.

Amanda Jenner, inventor of My Carry Potty, recommends introducing the idea of potty training through story telling. Amanda has authored a brand new potty training book called “George and Hollie and the Magic Carry Potties.” George and Hollie are twins who are about to embark on their potty training journey. Follow the twins as they select their new potty chairs, pants and learn about the trials and errors of potty training. This beautifully illustrated book is the perfect introduction to potty training and will help parents introduce the idea of potty training and initiate a discussion about the topic with their child. This fun book comes complete with a reward chart and stickers to make the process fun and to provide positive reinforcement. The potty training book comes free with the purchase of the My Carry Potty.

Available in 3 bold and bright colours: pink, yellow and blue.

My Carry Potty

My Carry Potty is the new solution to potty training. It’s lightweight, leak-proof and completely bag-free. It’s designed with a unique lid that provides a completely watertight seal. Made from a high quality, durable plastic that’s easy on the eye and it’s easy to keep clean. Your My Carry Potty has a strong seal to prevent leaks. To open My Carry Potty, place it on a firm, horizontal surface with the handle facing away from you. Push the button, and firmly pull the top open. You’ll find that My Carry Potty then opens smoothly, with no splashes.

My Carry Potty has a unique design that is leak proof

Care Instructions

Wash your My Carry Potty with hot, soapy water and spray with a steriliser after each use.
Do not use bleach on My Carry Potty.

Specs

The My Carry Potty is very lightweight and weighs just 685g when empty.
Measures 22.5cm wide, 25cm long and 12.5cm deep.

Road Test

The My Carry Potty is a very innovative portable potty which boasts a very unique design unlike any other portable potty on the market. The My Carry Potty was designed with both parent, child and the environment in mind. The My Carry Potty is designed to hang over your pushchair or be carried by your child. The well designed handle is kid friendly and ease for little hands to grip. When the time comes for your child to go potty, you won’t need to look for a bathroom. Simply find a discreet spot and let your child go potty. The My Carry Potty doesn’t use any plastic bags which are expensive and very unkind to the environment. Now this is when the design of the My Carry Potty really becomes apparent. You simply close the lid of the My Carry Potty (you will hear a distinctive click) sealing in the contents until such time as you can empty the potty at a public toilet or even at home. A quick rinse and the My Carry Potty is available for use again. The My Carry Potty will make outings and adventures so much less stressful as you won’t have to look for a toilet. Public toilets can be very dirty and having the My Carry Potty will allow parents to bypass the dirty toilets. In addition as many parents know, even if a clean public toilet is in the near vicinity, when your child expresses the need to go potty, he needs to go NOW and is unable to wait often even the few minutes it takes to get to the nearby toilet. The My Carry Potty is wonderful for home use, nursery and any outdoor outing, including outings at the beach.

The My Carry Potty is the new essential tool for parents and children and can be utilised both at home and when out and about, making it the ideal potty for children. For parents who are practising Elimination Communication, the My Carry Potty is the best designed travel potty and is highly recommended.

Kid friendly design

Potty Training Tips

Involve your child in choosing the potty so that he becomes part of the process from the very beginning.
Encourage your child to practice sitting on the potty in order to get used to it
Place the potty where your child spends most of his time. This way your child can become familiar with the potty and it become part of the furniture.
Point out the potty to your child so that he becomes aware of it.
Introduce a reward system and make a reward chart together with your child.
Identify something really special that your child would like as a reward and provide plenty of praise, positive fun potty training stories and stickers to encourage him along the way.
Go shopping together with your child and let him pick out a few pairs of training pants that are easy for him to take off. Start with less clothes and work up to more.
Once your child is completely dry during the day, you can tackle potty training at night. Switch to training pants to begin with.

PURCHASING

The My Carry Potty with free potty training book is available from Cheeky Rascals. Visit the My Carry Potty and click on “Buy Now”.

Cheeky Rascals believe that with the right products parenting becomes a little easier. Cheeky Rascals has hand picked clever, quality nursery brands for you to enjoy.

All images copyrighted My Carry Potty.

4 months ago Short URL

Active Lifestyle/baby/Potty Training

Jun

Silver Cross Reflex Pushchair

Silver Cross, introduces the new Reflex, the most advanced stroller in the world. Packed with innovation, the fold up stroller is suitable from birth to toddler and converts into a lightweight pram and travel system. Weighing in at just 8.5kg, this feature packed pushchair is a stand out in its lightweight class.

Lets take a closer look at this innovative pushchair.

Silver Cross Reflex Pushchair

Handlebars:

Never underestimate the importance of ergonomic handle bars when reviewing a pushchair prior to purchase. In fact, we think that examining the handle bars is one the first things that you should look for when selecting a pushchair, not the last! Parents often focus on everything besides the handle bars. You will be logging in hundreds upon hundreds of kilometres while gripping the handle bars so please give careful attention and thought to them.

Your posture while pushing a pushchair is a critical element that needs to be considered. Quite simply, if you are not maintaining a good posture when you are pushing a pushchair, you may very well find yourself developing back and shoulder pain. Glance in the mirror when you are pushing your pushchair and note if your shoulders are relaxed in a neutral position vs. hunched. How does your body feel after you have been pushing the pushchair?

The Silver Cross Reflex features adjustable handle bars, so now parents of different heights will both be able to use this pushchair comfortably while maintaining perfect posture.

The Hood:

The large well designed hood on the Reflex is fantastic, and very rarely seen on an umbrella style pushchair. The protective hood extends fully (unzip the extension) all the down to the bumper bar to protect your little one from the elements, as well as from sensory overload and can be locked into place for added security. The extended hood will also come in handy when your baby is tired and needs to take a nap, blocking out the light and stimulation. The hood is made from a material which offers UPF50+ sun protection for maximum protection from the heat.

Viewing window:

A large viewing window on the rear of the hood allows parents to view their child clearly and keep a close eye on their baby. The breathable mesh panels on the side of the hood are designed for promoting air flow and cooling during the summer.

Seat Recline:

The silent recline system offers the option of 4 backrest positions from upright all the way to lie flat position which is the best in its class. This is truly a unique feature of a pushchair which is this compact.

Ergonomic Curved Seat Back:

The Ergonomic curved seat back keeps baby separate from the structure, creating comfort and air flow. This unique design ensures that your child is comfortable when seated in the pushchair.

Bumper:

The articulating bumper bar is designed to give baby something to hold on to during the day and after hours, it folds down with the Reflex to an amazingly small size. A bumper bar is very handy to have when baby leans forward, offering additional protection.

Seat Dimensions

Wide and spacious seat dimensions:

*width of seat 35cm
*height of back rest 50cm
*depth of seat 22cm
*length of calf support 17cm

The washable liner is a great feature that caregivers will appreciate. This will enable caregivers to keep the stroller clean and sparkling despite baby’s many messes.

5 Point Safety Harness

The Reflex features a 5 point safely harness and comfort pads.

The harness system is well designed to allow you to safely secure your little one in the pushchair. There is a small learning curve for using this harness but with a little practice you will soon become a pro.

Safety lighting system:

LED safety lights on either side with 3 modes: constant, flash and rotate.

The safety lighting system is a truly unique feature from Silver Cross and will provide caregivers some additional security when being out and about when it is dark outside. The LED system is designed to make the pushchair more visible at night.

Adjustable Calf Support:

The adjustable calf support allows caregivers to adjust the calf support to the height of the child.

Wheels and Basket:

The Reflex features 4 x double sided wheels which glide smoothly along a variety of terrains. The puncture free swivel tyres offer peace of mind.

The underneath basket is a nice size and can accommodate some baby essentials such as a blanket, a few toys and some mum essentials.

Breaks:

The break system is well designed with the break being easy to engage and disengage.

The fold:

Simple one-handed compact fold

Locks in folded position

Dimensions folded: H35 x W61 x L86cm

Included accessories:

A warm and cosy matching footmuff is included with each Reflex. The deep padded footmuff is designed to keep your baby warm during cold weather outings.

The raincover fits securely over the Reflex pushchair and will protect the child keeping him nice and dry despite the rain.

Optional Accessories (purchase separately)

Newborn Accessory Pack

The Reflex Accessory Pack contains the essential coordinating accessories required for your Reflex pushchair in rearward-facing, pram system use.

Newborn Pack Contents:

The pack includes a protective hood with reflective fabric trim, a protective, lightweight, pullout apron that zips on to your Reflex, and a deeply padded babynest in softly-quilted, natural bamboo jersey.

Dual Purpose Apron:

The deeply-padded apron (that comes with your Reflex) can also be used in rearward-facing pram mode for extra warmth during cold weather.

SilverCrossBassinettNestStrap

Babynest:

The beautiful soft jersey babynest features a 5-point safety harness, with wonderfully soft shoulder and buckle pads to keep your baby comfortable.

Hood Down

Hood Up

Travel System:

The Reflex pushchair can be used as a travel system with the Silver Cross Simplicity Car Seat. This is the only car seat which is compatible with the pushchair.

Road Test:

We invited our parent panel to test the Reflex in a variety of outdoor environments. Here are some of their comments:

“The Reflex feels solid and very well made. It is light to push around and easy to maneuver on all terrains. It glides very smoothly on the pavement. The hood is fantastic and extends out to really far positions so it is perfect to block out the sun. Simply unzip the hood to extend it completely to cover the pram. The seat recline system has many options and easily adjusts according to the needs of my child. The bumper bar comes in handy when my child wants to lean forward, keeping him safe. The included footmuff keeps my toddler warm and snug despite the breezy cold weather. The raincover fits well without having to worry about it flying off. The pushchair is very easy to fold up and down. The newborn kit mattress is well padded for comfort and comes complete with a harness. This extra security design will allow my baby to sleep without me worrying about the baby moving around too much.”

Weight Limit:

The Reflex can accommodate children up to 25kg in weight. The Reflex is available in a variety of colours.

“The ultimate test is that my toddler loved being in the pushchair so much so that he continues to request to ride in this pushchair over our other ones and has now become his new favourite pushchair.”

Overall, the Reflex Pushchair from Silver Cross is an excellent choice and with the addition of the newborn pack, the pushchair can be used from day 1 all the way through the toddler years. The unique design, compact and lightweight construction complete with innovative safety features makes the Reflex Pushchair our top pick for Spring/Summer 2014.

Demonstration Video

Click here

For additional information, please visit the Silver Cross Website.

6 months ago Short URL

Active Lifestyle/pushchairs

Oct

Merrell All Out Charge

All Out Charge

merrell

Product Description:

Charge on the trail with this running shoe that cinches to your foot to become a cradle of stability and agility to tackle tricky terrain. Feel secure with the upper’s specialized 360º fit that moulds to your foot. Impact-responsive Unifly™ cushioning underfoot gives you sensitivity and connection to the ground for better control, while offering a protective buffer to smooth out pointy rocks and roots.

UPPER / LINING
• Mesh upper
• Reflective details for increased visibility in low light
• Removable footbed treated with M Select™ FRESH shoe odour control
• HyperWrap 360 Degrees Fit System locks the foot in place to enhance natural stability and agility

MIDSOLE / OUTSOLE
• 6mm Drop / 20mm Cush / 27mm Stack Height
• Moulded nylon arch shank
• UniFly™ midsole connects you to the trail, protects you from the terrain
• 5mm Lugs depth
• M Select™ GRIP tunes each outsole with durable traction that grips when and where you need it
• Vegan friendly footwear

Women’s Sizes: 3.5-8.5
Women’s Weight: 241g (1/2 pair)

Technology:

Merrell select grip with versatile outsoles for slip resistance on wet and dry terrain

shoesmerrell

User Review:

We all know how important exercising is for our health and well-being. Merrell has a full line of shoes and clothing to support an active lifestyle. It is so important to invest in good quality shoes that will carry you through your active lifestyle. Merrell has recently launched the All Out Charge which we are reviewing today. The All Out Charge is available in 6 beautifully vivid colours. The first thing that you will notice is how lightweight the shoe is yet it doesn’t fall short on quality. This is the ideal shoe to pack when you are travelling as it won’t take up much weight. We were impressed with the outsoles which allowed us to access both wet and dry terrain safely without the fear of slipping. The UniFly cushioning underfoot helps to minimise the rougher terrain beneath your shoe and helps to give you a smoother run. Above all, the superior comfort of this shoe will have you keep reaching for the All Out Charge time and time again. Merrell M-Select Fresh insole to keep your shoes odor free and ensure the longevity of the shoe. HyperWrap 360 degree system locks the foot in place and this will help to prevent injuries and discomfort. Please note that this style runs wide and it will suit runners with a wider foot. Overall, the All Out Charge is a fantastic running shoe. Highly recommended.

PURCHASING:

To find a store near you, please click here

To see the full range from Merrell please click here.

8 years ago Short URL

Active Lifestyle

Sep

Protected: Balance

10 years ago Short URL