BlogFeeding the FamilyRecipes

Gazpacho Recipe

This is Darren Marshall (Head Chef at Island Grill, overlooking Hyde Park)’s recipe for gazpacho. It is the one his wife’s family makes at home in Galicia (North of Spain). Serves 4 ½ onion 2 cloves of garlic ½ cucumber 6 ripe plum tomatoes 75ml olive oil 75ml water 2tblsp sherry vinegar small handful of basil Lightly cook the onions and garlic in a pan, then mix all of the ingredients…
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BlogFitness & HealthTravel with kids

Family skiing

With so much talk about sport during London 2012, skiing is also high in the agenda for most families. Many parents are keen to hit the slopes with their children, but don’t know quite what to expect… and struggle to identify where to start looking for the right option for their family’s particular needs. The right choice for your family will be dictated by a few key factors. These…
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Baby & ToddlersBlogGet CreativeParenting Skills

British families urged to swap a sedentary summer for a Playcation

New research recently revealed that British families are stuck to the sofa, with two thirds (68 per cent) of family time being sedentary. The survey conducted by UK retailer Argos, shows British families spend an average of twelve hours together a week yet eight hours of this time are spent sat down. Television is the biggest family entertainer, with a quarter of parents defaulting to the box…
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BlogBooksCompetitions

Win 1 of 5 copies of 'The Au Pair' books

Parenting and how mums and dads cope with kids and childcare during the summer months is going is a hot topic and come July, will be high on the agenda. Ever thought of hiring an au pair? That’s exactly what Jilly, a harassed mum of three, does in Janey Fraser’s new book THE AU PAIR – a hilarious romp through the world of unsuspecting families and foreign bodies. Janey herself went through…
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BlogParenting SkillsSchooling

42% OF CHILDREN LOSE INTEREST IN READING BY 11

Teachers are increasingly worried as children prefer internet over reading. ‘Twilight effect’ is attributed to two thirds of girls reading fantasy novels. More than a third of children (42%) are likely to have turned off reading for pleasure before they reach secondary school age (11), according to new teacher research recently released. The research was carried out to mark the release of a…
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BlogCompetitions

Win 2 family tickets to the Go!Go!Go! Show at London’s Empire Cinema

We are excited to give away a pair of family tickets to see the Go!Go!Go! Show at London’s Empire Cinema at a showing of your choice. The Go!Go!Go! Show is a fantastic live children’s stage show, which follows the adventures of a group of friends as they search for the mysterious sock eating Fluffalope. Created by Mike Stock and Steve Crosby, the show has amazing scenery and great sing a…
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BlogBooksSchooling

GREYHOUND BARKS AT No.10 TO LAUNCH BOOK

A Greyhound called Danny recently visited 10 Downing Street to raise awareness about the benefits of children reading to dogs. Launching his new book, ‘Danny goes to London’, Danny hopes children will be encouraged to pick it up and read to dogs like him. Danny is a Reading, Education and Assistance Dog (READ), and is sponsored by the Kennel Club’s Bark and Read Foundation to go into…
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Baby & ToddlersBlogParenting Skills

Mums’ Friendships Going Down The Toilet With Potty Training

One in three mums has fallen out with someone over how to raise their children, a study has revealed. The study of 2,000 mums found that they’ve argued with close relatives, other mothers and even complete strangers following a comment or remark on how they should bring up their children. But mums are most likely to fall out with their own mother followed by their partner, mother-in-law and…
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BlogFeeding the FamilyParty tipsRecipes

Brandied Chocolate Cherry Dessert

This is a rich boozy dessert obviously only for mums and dads 🙂 You can impress your friends over dinner too with these little treats. Portions/Glasses: 6 Prep time: 15 minutes Chill time: 1 hour Ingredients: 80 g dark chocolate, melted 150 g fresh black cherries, halved and pitted or 425 g can cherries, drained, halved and pitted 3 tbsp brandy 20 g caster sugar 200 g Philadelphia Light…
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