My 5-year-old absolutely loves jigsaw puzzles and can pretty much breeze through 200-piece jigsaws at an alarming rate. So, I decided to up the stakes and challenge him and the rest of the family to build a 1,155-piece puzzle that was not just over 1 metre tall, but irregular shaped, so that the finished piece resembled London’s Big Ben.
Big Ben, Silhouette Puzzle, 1155pc
Link to the product can be found on Ravensburger’s website here.
“This extraordinary range of Silhouette jigsaw puzzles has been designed specifically to enhance any puzzling experience. The jigsaw puzzle is shaped, so when complete, the entire jigsaw will be the shape of Big Ben and other popular London attractions. And to further enhance your experience, dotted all throughout the puzzle are Big Ben-shaped puzzle pieces. The image itself is a wonderfully rich combination of everything we love about London including Big Ben, the Union flag, big red bus, the London taxi, a telephone box, Tower Bridge and the stunning lion statue from Trafalgar Square. When complete the jigsaw measures 78 x 101cm and it is the ideal puzzle to conserve and hang on the wall as part of your room decoration.” Ravensburger
Specifications
Price:
£14.99
Age range:
12 years +
Ravensburger have always been my favourite of all puzzle manufacturers because they have a huge range of jigsaw puzzles that suit all characters, as well as very educational games that can be enjoyed at home and as part of continued learning at school.
This particular Ravensburger jigsaw puzzle was a real headscratcher. There were no corners to start off with, so we were not able to follow our standard, find-all-the-corners-first rule. We then opted to look for all the flat edged pieces, which also proved more challenging than normal. Some pieces needed inside pieces to connect, so that rule was also thrown out. We ended up grouping the pieces by colour and we were off to a very slow start.
I noticed that some of the pieces also resembled famous London landmark’s, which I thought was a great touch. However, we were quarter of the way through when an accident happened and all the pieces fell to the floor. We are now tackling Big Ben again and will share an image as soon as we have completed it.
Ravensburger’s jigsaw puzzles have always been a favourite of mine, as mentioned earlier, but not just because of their versatility, but the quality of cardboard used is high and durable enough for little hands. It is easy to tell when a piece fits together, which helps you to progress along the puzzle, especially with challenging jigsaws like the Big Ben Silhouette puzzle.
Overall, it was a very enjoyable puzzle to work on together as a family. We are now completing the puzzle on top of our 1,000-piece travel jigsaw board to prevent any accidents happening again and we are most likely going to laminate and hang this jigsaw puzzle up on our wall when we have finished. The finished look is just awesome.
Rating: 4.5/5 – 0.5 is lost on the fact that the pieces can be removed quite easily, so when transporting a group of jigsaw pieces to the final puzzle, sometimes they are broken up before they get there, which is quite frustrating. Apart from that, we all thoroughly recommend Ravensburger for all your jigsaw puzzle needs. There is so much to choose from, it was be nigh on impossible to find something you didn’t like on the website. They make for perfect Christmas gifts too!
Ho, ho, ho! Jolly Christmas Pancake Ideas
Autumn is the time when we start warming up our ovens to prepare for the busiest period of baking/cooking over Christmas. I usually opt for the simplest baking recipes, especially when I host the Christmas holiday feasts, as the guests I need to prepare for normally run into the double digits. This year is no different, with at least 13 guests gracing their presence at ours this Christmas. Easy recipes ensure that I can plan, prepare and cook everything according to a well-thought out schedule, with the added bonus of allowing me to spend more time with my kids, instead of staying in the kitchen all day long.
This year, pancake recipes are on the Christmas menu. Pancakes are not only one of the simplest sweet treats on the planet, but they are also very flexible: they allow you to experiment with as many different ingredients that you can think of and they can easily be turned into a decadent cake too. Not only that, the pancake batter can be used to make other sweet treats like muffins and other (Christmas) wonders. For inspiration check out the best American pancake recipe collection on MyGreatRecipes. Here are some classic pancake recipes that have a Christmas twist, so they can easily be worked into your Christmas schedule this year:
Classic Christmas Pancakes
Prepare your favourite standard pancake recipe (I like BBC Good Food’s Fluffy American Pancakes) and then cut and shape in the form of a snowman or reindeer. My favourite pancake “art” is the Santa Claus face made with whipped cream for the beard and hair, chocolate chips for the eyes, and halved strawberries for the nose and hat. Simple and effective.
Green Christmas Pancakes
Add green food colouring to the batter and cook the pancakes in different sizes, from smallest to largest (use spoons and different sizes of cups to achieve this). Then stack them on top of each other to form a Christmas tree, cover in sprinkles and add a star cut from an apple on top (stick it on a toothpick to position it easily).
Red Velvet Pancakes
Nothing says “Christmas” better than these red velvet pancakes, made by adding red food colouring to the batter, with cream cheese glaze and sprinkles on top. I love using my Christmas moulds with this batter because the final product is simply amazing. In this case, use a food-storage plastic bag to draw with the cream cheese over the pancakes. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and candy sprinkles.
Christmas Pancake Muffins and Parfaits
Place the pancake batter into muffin tins for baking. I love muffins because they allow me to get creative with amazing, yet simple decorations that complement the Christmas festive table beautifully.
For example, you can create Christmas ornaments by decorating the top of the muffins with icing, M&M’s and a rolo candy as toppings. Another option is to cover them with chocolate icing and decorate with reindeer “faces”, made with candy eyes and red M&M’s for the noses, and cut pretzels for the antlers.
Parfaits and trifles are the best and easiest way to “save” your pancake leftovers. In fact, they are so quick and simple you can hand them out to your guests before they leave.
Simply place them in jars, cover with lids and tie a bow! Mix red and white to capture the Christmas spirit, of course. Pour a layer of plain or vanilla-flavoured Greek yogurt, then drizzle with honey and a pinch of cinnamon. The second layer is made with cranberry sauce and the third with cubed pancakes and granola. Repeat with a second layer of yogurt, honey and granola. Decorate with fresh cranberries and mint leaves. Merry Christmas!
What’s your favourite Christmas pancake recipe? Share in the comments below!
*Collaborative featured post*
How to Introduce Your Puppy to a New Home
A number of my son’s classmates are receiving a welcome addition to the family in time for Christmas this year and it has made me wonder about whether we are ready for a puppy ourselves. Dogs are generally referred to as man’s best friend. But, it is important to know how to look after them, as they will become an extension of your family for as long as nature intends them to be.
“The world would be a nicer place if everyone had the ability to love as unconditionally as a dog.” M.K. Clinton, author of The Returns
However, whether you are looking for a puppy (check out puppies for sale here), you are bringing home a puppy for the first time, or your puppy is coming along with you to a new home, there are a few things that can make the process a little bit easier for everyone involved. Here are a few tips to help the transition a lot easier for your little puppy.
Stability is Created by Many Aspects of the Environment
Wherever your puppy lived before, they may have had a comforter of some kind, i.e. a blanket, a crate, or a pillow. That item should come with them and remain with them during the transition process. This will allow the puppy to feel as though some aspects of their lives will remain the same, despite how the situation appears to them.
Educating yourself on how to interact and be with your puppy
Online dog training can help both you and your puppy work in sync, before and during the transition process. If your puppy is used to spending 20-30 minutes each day with you, then use the tips learned by your dog coach to keep this continuity up. Much like babies, schedules can help make puppies feel like there is a routine, which will, in turn, create stability and security in the long run.
If your puppy gets really stressed out at even the most minor of changes, you may want to consider boarding at one of the many Santa Monica dog kennels. The Loved Dog is known for their hands-on approach that keeps dogs stress-free and feeling happy. This may be the perfect place for your puppy to stay during the actual move so that you can bring them to a place that may look new, but feels and smells like home.
For more tips on introducing your puppy to a new home, contact The Loved Dog right away.
*Collaborative featured post from the US*
Canderel Sugarly Taste Test Challenge – Includes Lemon & Blueberry Cheesecake and Vanilla & Raspberry Cupcake recipes
Mindlab International recently conducted a study on the brain activity of a group of participants when they were faced with treats prepared with sweetener and with sugar. Results showed that in a number of tests, the participants actually found the treats prepared with sweetener more desirable and in all other measures of brain activity, the sweetener performed just as well as the sugar.
So, Canderel challenged Motherhood Diaries to make two batches of the Lemon & Blueberry Cheesecake and two batches of the Vanilla & Raspberry Cupcakes, where one batch contained sweetener and the other with sugar. The test was to find out whether my family could, (a) tell the difference and (b) prefer the taste of either sugar or sweetener. So, let the challenges begin!
It was a unanimous verdict. Canderel Sugarly won! Using Canderel Sugarly meant I used half of the quantity of sugar and the sweetness still shone through in both of the above recipes. Plus, they weren’t as sickly sweet as the sugar alternatives, which meant that Canderel Sugarly is just as good a contender in decadent desserts than using normal caster sugar.
Thoroughly enjoyed the Canderel Taste Test and I urge you to give it a try. Swap your sugar ingredients for Canderel Sugarly and remember to use only half the amount because it’s very sweet!
Disclaimer – Canderel supplied the recipe and ingredients to make each of the recipes, but opinions are 100% our own
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Raspberry and Vanilla Cupcakes Recipe
These cupcakes by Canderel are so easy to make, you just pop all the ingredients into a mixer, place the mix into cupcake cases and then bake. They’re cute and low on calories too!
Motherhood Diaries was challenged to create two batches of these delicious cupcakes, one with Canderel Sugarly Sweetener and one with caster sugar to see whether my family would taste the difference. They unanimously voted for the cupcakes that used Canderel Sugarly because they weren’t as sweet, but they still retained a lot of the zing and lightness.
Remember to use half the quantity of Canderel Sugarly sweetener to normal sugar, so for 125g/40z sugar you use 62g/2oz of sweetener.
https://youtu.be/1f8OiKvY1xw
Makes 12 | Prep 15 mins | Cook 25 mins
Ingredients
175g/6oz low fat spread
3 eggs
75g/3oz Canderel Sugarly plus extra for dusting
100g/3 ½ oz. self-raising flour, sieved
1 tsp baking powder, sieved
1 tsp vanilla extract
250g punnet raspberries
You will need a 12-hole patty tin, lined with paper cases
Method
Add the low fat spread, eggs, Canderel Sugarly, flour, baking powder and vanilla extract to the bowl of the food mixer and beat until creamy and well combined.
Stir through the raspberries then divide the mixture into the paper cases using a teaspoon. Put in the oven and bake for 20-25 mins or until pale golden and risen and springy to the touch.
Remove from oven and transfer to a wire rack and leave to cool completely before serving.
Dust with a little Canderel Sugarly to serve.
Cook’s Tip
If you wish to decorate these, mix 150g half fat cream cheese with 2 tbsp. Canderel Sugarly, spread on cooled cakes and top with a fresh raspberry – you will however increase the calories!
Fancy some chocolate cupcakes? Reduce the flour to 75g and add 25g of dark cocoa!
Nutritional information
Nutrient
Per Serving
Energy (kcal)
107
Fat (g)
7
Sat Fat (g)
1.7
Sugar (g)
1
Lemon & Blueberry Cheesecake Recipe
A highly decadent no-bake cheesecake dessert recipe created by Canderel and a well-known family favourite, the Lemon & Blueberry Cheesecake can be made with either sweetener or sugar. Motherhood Diaries was challenged to create two batches of this lovable cheesecake, one with Canderel Sugarly Sweetener and one with caster sugar to see whether my family would taste the difference. They unanimously voted for the cheesecake that used Canderel Sugarly because it wasn’t as sweet but still retained a lot of the rich flavour.
Remember to use half the quantity of Canderel Sugarly sweetener to normal sugar, so for 125g/40z sugar, you use 62g/2oz of sweetener.
Lemon and Blueberry Cheesecake
https://youtu.be/V3uziJGiYrU
Serves 10 | Prep 20 mins
For the base
50g/2oz low fat spread
150g/5oz digestive lights, crushed
For the topping
3-4 sheets gelatine, depending on the size of the sheets
2 x 180g pots (360g) half fat cream cheese
100g/3 1/2 oz. Canderel Sugarly
250g pot vanilla quark
Zest and juice of 2 lemons
250g punnet blueberries, reserve some for topping
You will need a 20.5cm/8inch deep round, loose bottom springform tin, lightly greased and base lined with baking parchment
First, make the base, melt the low fat spread in a pan then add the crushed digestives and stir to mix, spoon into the tin, spread to cover and press down with the back of a wooden spoon or base of a glass. Leave to cool then put in the fridge to chill.
Add the gelatine to a small bowl and cover with water, put to one side for about 5 minutes to soften. To make the topping, add the cream cheese, Canderel Sugarly, quark and zest and juice of the lemons to a food mixer and beat until combined. Squeeze the water from the gelatine, put it back in a clean bowl and pour in just enough boiling water to cover then whisk with a fork until no lumps. Add it to the cream cheese mixture and beat until well mixed.
Stir in a third of the blueberries then spoon mixture over biscuit base and smooth the top. Put back in the fridge and chill overnight then release from tin, top with remaining blueberries and slice to serve.
NCC Home Learning Nutrition and Health QCF Award Level 2 Overview
Back in the day, when the internet had not been invented yet and being accepted into university was only held for the crème of the crop, it was nigh on impossible for stay-at-home parents or those without wealth to study and build on their CV in their own time. Nowadays, distance learning and home learning courses (recognised and accepted, free or paid), are now readily available for anyone to study in the comfort of their own home, to better their chances of finding work or building on their qualifications. NCC Home Learning provides that flexibility and knowledge in order for Joe or Jane Bloggs to do this.
I was offered the chance to review the NCC Nutrition and Health QCF (NVQ) Level 2 course so I could build on my knowledge of food (my passion) and understand the connection between weight gain and the link to emotional eating. The QCF course, which has now replaced the NVQ qualification, is all about understanding the differences between normal weight, overweight and obesity, and the connection we build between food and our feelings.
Who are NCC Home Learning?
NCC Home Learning is a complete resource for NCC online courses. There are hundreds of NCC resources and home study courses to choose from, whether you are looking to top up your qualifications or embark upon a new career, NCC should have the right course for you. They boast a vast selection of over 350 distance learning courses at home which are accredited by various awarding bodies such as NCFE, 1CB, SAGE, and Ascentis. NCC also offer student support and course tutor phone calls if you require any help or advice during the course. Their homepage provides a link for you to choose your course via industry here.
So, what is the NCC Nutrition and Health QCF Level 2 course about?
“With obesity on the rise and the Foresight Study predicting that by 2050 60% of men, 50% of women and 25% of children will be obese; the time to make a change is NOW and this accredited qualification can help you to achieve that. In one compact course, you can respond to the rising level of obesity across adults and children, and prevent the expected expenditure of £45 billion a year (in 2050) on care, missed working hours and ill-health.
Instead, with only a basic knowledge of this subject, you can almost immediately begin improving the health and well-being of your friends, loved ones and yourself, and most importantly have the chance to add an approved qualification to your CV that will make you stand out from the crowd.” NCC Home Learning
The NCC NCFE Level 2 Nutrition and Health course (QCF) is specific to the UK and tackles problems the NHS has with rectifying the obesity epidemic that is on the rise. (i.e. the proportion of obese adults between 1993 and 2010 had increased from 13.2% to 24.4% among men and 6.4% to 25.1% among women.
The course is split into three concise units and can be completed at your own pace over the course of twelve months. It comes with the full support of a qualified tutor, who will guide you through the entire process, whether you complete it online or by paper.
The course details are:
Qualification Title: NCFE Level 2 Award in Nutrition and Health (QCF) Qualification Number: 501/0038/5 Total Credits: 12
Price: £210.00 (reduced from £280.00)
Course duration: 120 hours
A brief overview of how to navigate the course
You will be provided details of the NCC Home Learning login for your course via email. Once you log in you will be taken to your dashboard and on the left-hand side, you have a folder tree, which allows you to navigate through the course modules.
The course contains 15 modules and an exam at the end to test your knowledge. Each module plunges you straight into a PDF of ‘underpinning knowledge’, which you can download and save to your desktop. Be sure to read the User Guide for all students at the introduction of the course, as it takes you through how to get started, how to access the course with ease, and how to log in and actually go through the course itself. You must read and understand all modules before passing the exam and unlock the course completion certificate.
The NCC Home Learning course website helps those who are unable to attend college or university to build on their CV
With tons of NCC remote classes to choose from, arranged by industry, career, interest, experience and course type, it’s really easy to search for a course from NCC learning you’re really passionate about and build on your knowledge. I would definitely recommend signing up and choosing your course, whether it’s an entry-level teaching assistant or a care diploma level at home course. NCC classes broaden the NCC learning pool and will help you either in your current job, to find a new job or start that business you’ve always been meaning to start. Contact NCC Home Learning directly if you have any questions or require more information on their at-home learning courses.
FAQ
Is NCC Home Learning legitimate?
Another question asked was, ‘Is NCC Home Learning accredited?’
NCC Home Learning is an award-winning education provider with over twenty years experience offering distance learning courses from home. To date, they have delivered training to over half a million learners worldwide.
The NCC certificates offer proof of completion of your NCC courses which you can provide either at the job you’re applying or as proof of expertise in your business or current employment.
How has NCC changed your life?
I’ve applied what I’ve learned in the nutrition at home courses to daily life, making changes to our diet and lifestyle so that we can live our best life as a family.
How do you feel about NCC Home Learning?
NCC Home Learning allows everyone to build on their most important assets – themselves. So I absolutely back NCC Home Learning as a great way for parents to build on their qualifications around their kids so they have a chance against others in vying for that desired hobby/job/role/business.
How does your home study environment and your study habits affect your productivity?
You need to know how and when you like to revise. Everyone is different. For example, I like to get up before anyone else in the morning and write out my task list. If you’re a visual person, you’ll want to stick to bright, colourful text, illustrations and videos/images to help you study. If you prefer to revise audibly then you can use a text to speech software like Word to read out the content in the course. Work out how you want to revise then trial and error until you hit your sweet spot.
*Collaborative feature post*
Bernard Matthews Brunch Challenge – Turkey Ham Bruschetta recipe
I love challenges.
I, especially, love food challenges.
So, I was enthusiastic to take on another Bernard Matthews #bootifulmeals challenge, this time, centring on brunch and the growing trend of incorporating avocado, poached eggs and cooked meats into our in-between breakfast and lunch meals. Armed with Bernard Matthews Wafer Thin Turkey Ham and a deep penchant for creating great brunch/lunch recipes, I set about making something that the whole family could enjoy. And, indeed, they did – all six of them!
So, without further ado, I present to you the Turkey Ham Bruschetta recipe, showcased as the very first recipe in my new food blog, Five for a Fiver. And, thanks to Tomas Preston Photography, the images display the beautiful simplicity of how only a few ingredients can be combined to create a delicious, healthy and, actually, quite filling brunch meal.
I, normally, like to be quite creative with my bruschetta snacks, opting to include poached/fried/boiled egg at breakfast and tuna for a protein-busting lunch. This time, I included Bernard Matthews Wafer Thin Turkey Ham for a brunch alternative, which I have never done before and the result was a fresh, light and filling meal that served six people and only cost £4.38*
Apart from the fact that they taste great, the good thing about Bernard Matthews’ cooked meats, in this case, the Bernard Matthews Wafer Thin Turkey Ham, the fat content is low and it’s a very versatile ingredient that the kids can enjoy as well.
And, as Bernard Matthews’ turkey products are 100% British, we’re helping our economy too! They’re even great for busy mums like me because you don’t have to go through the process of browning and cooking the meat, which can shave off valuable minutes when trying to feed hungry children. We enjoyed the Turkey Ham Bruschetta during a barbecue at the weekend, but you can incorporate any one of these cooked meats into regular staple recipes, such as:
Bernard Matthews Wafer Thin Turkey ham in an oozing cheese omelette
Bernard Matthews Turkey Ham in cheese muffins
Bernard Matthews Wafer Thin Turkey ham in a poached egg bagel
To find out more about Bernard Matthews’ products, head on over to their website or check out their Facebook page, which Bernard Matthews regularly update with their latest products and life in the fast lane of Witchingham Hall.
*Prices are at 4 June 2016 (Tesco). The total cost of the recipe may vary after this date.
Disclaimer: Bernard Matthews commissioned Motherhood Diaries to create a recipe using one of their cooked meat products. The recipe creation is 100% my own.
Planning a Child’s Birthday Party on a Budget
It’s natural to want to throw an unforgettable party for your child’s birthday but sometimes it’s just not feasible to do all the things you might have dreamed of. However, this doesn’t mean they can’t have a spectacular party that’ll make them one of the most popular kids in school.
The truth is, you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg to give your child an amazing party that they won’t forget. Just because everyone else is hiring restaurants, entertainers and village halls, you can throw a celebration just as good for a fraction of the price. Here’s how…
Plan Ahead
By planning ahead you avoid the last minute rush. When buying balloons, plates, cups, disposable cutlery and the like, it’s a good idea to plan as far ahead as you can and either add one essential item to your shop over the following few weeks – that way you’ll barely notice the cost while your stockpile of essentials will grow nicely.
When you’re panic buying you’re always likely to buy way more than you need, so you should do everything you can to avoid this. You should also make the most of offers, sales and discount sites to get hold of the essentials.
Digital Invites
Ditching the paper invites might seem like you’re also ditching a tradition but nowadays they’re unnecessary. Digital invites don’t need to be impersonal, blank emails, there are loads of sites out there that allow you to choose a suitable pattern, personalise and download each one free of charge – the only thing you’re losing is your time.
Simple Dishes
Forget fine dining, kids would rather enjoy a few sandwiches, fruit sticks and tasty cupcakes than anything too fussy. As far as drinks go, you can pick up disposable cups for next to nothing when you’re shopping for supplies and then just fill a few jugs with water and juice and keep them regularly topped up.
Borrow
If you’re planning on hiring gazebos, barbeques, bouncy castles or anything else, it’s always worth checking with friends, family and neighbours beforehand. If you know people who have or may have the things you need, there’s absolutely no shame in asking to borrow from them.
Don’t worry if the things you borrow don’t match – chairs, tables, plates etc. – as that’s the trend nowadays anyway and your party venue will look cooler for it.
Cash
If you need the cash right now to secure a venue or entertainment and you’re sure you can afford to pay it back over the agreed term you then an affordable loan could be the answer. It’s important to bear in mind that you should only ever enter a loan agreement that you can afford to pay back, so it’s not a decision you should make lightly.
Here you have a number of key ways to prevent the cost of a child’s party getting out of hand, while still being able to provide a memorable experience for them and their guests. These are by no means the limits of the money-saving capabilities either, so keep on searching – you never know, you might be able to do a full party for free!
This is a sponsored post on the behalf of Auto Advance, a Logbook Loans provider.
Subscribe here to be updated with new posts. Don’t forget to tailor your preferences, so you just get the posts you want and need!
4.5/5 – 0.5 is lost on the fact that the pieces can be removed quite easily, so when transporting a group of jigsaw pieces to the final puzzle, sometimes they are broken up before they get there, which is quite frustrating. Apart from that, we all thoroughly recommend Ravensburger for all your jigsaw puzzle needs. There is so much to choose from, it was be nigh on impossible to find something you didn’t like on the website. They make for perfect Christmas gifts too!
