Italian Meals from Aldi

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Today we went on a shopping spree in Aldi specifically looking for some ideas for Italian meals. As you may remember I have reviewed some of Aldi's tipples in the past (which you can read HERE) and I was pleasantly surprised at the quality for the price.   I was hoping I would be as happy with the Italian range as I was with their beers, wines and spirits.    I asked big J to choose some products from the range so we could make some nice meals for the upcoming week.  

Big J loves his pasta and will have it mixed with bolognese sauce, tuna or chicken and sweetcorn.  I usually make a big pan of pasta and he will eat it that night warm and then he will take it to school the next day in his packed lunch cold.    So the first two items he put it the trolley was pasta, Fusilli and Penne. He likes fusilli with tuna and penne with chicken and sweetcorn. I'm not too fussed which type of pasta goes with what really to me it all tastes the same.    Then we got some spaghetti and a bolognese sauce. I bought two jars of sauce because I don't like it when it's dry.    Big J noticed a reasonably sized margherita pizza in the chilled section and asked could we also get that with some garlic breads.    So we put them in the trolley and he then saw a large lasagne. As you may have read in previous blog posts I like to make a Quorn lasagne but as treat I said he could also add it to the trolley.   Just as we were leaving the chilled section he put in some fresh tortellini filled with tomato and basil.    So that was our shopping done for now until on the way towards the till big J noticed some Italian style grated cheese so that was added too. I was really happy with the variety available and it was really reasonably priced too.   So I was looking forward to making some yummy Italian themed dinners this week.    So far we have tried the pizza, garlic breads, Lasagne and the pasta. We have also used the grated cheese on top.   The pizza is delicious. There is a pizza restaurant in Disneyland Paris called The Outpost and if you have been and love the pizzas then you will love Aldi's. It tastes just the same but its not in the shape of Mickey Mouse. haha.   Overall I was really impressed with the quality for the price. Everything in the photo above was bought at the same time and came to just over £10.   To view each weeks special offers available at Aldi visit the website HERE  

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So Glad I Found Berry Clever

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Yesterday I was introduced to Berry Clever and I am so glad I was.  Berry Clever is a website which allows you to put tips on products for kids or pets. It's like a review site but the tips are only 150 characters so straight to the point.

When you have logged in it brings you to the home screen which highlights the most loved products. Here you can browse products that parents think are great.

If you want to search for something in a specific area you can use the tabs at the top of the screen

Move

Feed

Care

Sleep

Fun

Once you click on a tab it will highlight a drop down menu

When you find a product you get two options of want it or have it. When you click have it you get a further two options of love it or meh.

So the idea is simple you write a tip for other people to see. If you love a product and want to write a great tip you get the chance to on Berry Clever and also if you are not to impressed with a product give it a Meh and tell the readers why.

You can also create lists for viewers to read so for example Feeding Must Haves. It's very simple to add a product to your list. When you click the product just click add to list and done. There are a few products I use that are not listed which I would love to tell the world about and that's fine because they have an option to email them telling them about the product, and fingers crossed they will add it. It's simple and easy to use and is a must have website for parents to use.  You can visit Berry Clever by clicking HERE

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Naanster - Indian On The Go

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I am not a huge fan of microwave meals or snacks. I used to buy them but since being on maternity I have had the time to prepare and cook meals from scratch.  Now I'm back at work it really is more convenient sometimes to throw something in the microwave. If you have to make four dinners for four people all eating at different times due to after school clubs or work it can make it just that bit easier.   Sometimes big J doesn't feel like a big dinner and will just want a snack. This week he tried Naansters. Naansters come in a choice of four flavours chicken tikka,  vegetable tikka,  balti chicken beef madras.   Each naanster is a light fluffy naan bread with the choice of flavour inside, pilau rice and mango chutney. You pierce the packaging and pop it in the microwave as it comes for 90 seconds. I have to admit it did smell nice and big J was looking forward to giving it a go. He loves his food and is always happy to try foods he's not tasted before.

When it came out the microwave it was very very hot, it is recommended to leave for one minute but I left it for five. I also opened it up to take a peek inside. Big J tried the vegetable tikka and he did enjoy it. He said it was very tasty. I was impressed the naan bread didn't go hard in the microwave but I would have liked to see a bit more filling inside. I think there was one very small piece of broccoli and one very small piece of cauliflower. There was quite a lot of rice. I am hoping the meat versions will have more in than the vegetable one.  Each pack is 185g and the nutritional information below is per 100g 212kcals 4.2g fat 0.9 sat fat

I think they are great for a snack and big J is looking forward to trying the other flavours which we will do over the weeks.  You can visit the Naansters twitter page for more information or where to buy.

*we were sent a selection of Naansters to try in return for a honest review*

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#WIN A PRIVATE TAPAS COOKERY CLASS FOR TWO WITH JOSE PIZARRO!

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Olive it! is a culinary concept that aims to bring a sparkle to traditional olives by incorporating them into your cooking in new and exciting ways! There’s no limit to your imagination and to help you bring this olive ‘explosion’ to life we are offering you the chance to win a once in a lifetime olive cooking course with celebrated Spanish chef, Jose Pizarro.   On Friday 3rd October at 12-3.30pm, you and one guest will experience hands-on tuition in an atmospheric and professional cook school in the heart of Clerkenwell, London, at the Food at 52 Cookery School.   In this exciting cooking course you will be inspired to get creative in the kitchen and learn how to make a selection of delicious tapas with the ‘master of tapas’ himself.   Jose Pizarro will take you on a culinary journey where you can explore the exciting flavours of the Mediterranean and learn how to make a selection of beautiful and mouth-watering dishes that will impress friends and family.   Take a look at the website for recipe inspiration.   Olives are an essential ingredient in the Mediterranean diet. Versatile and full of flavour, olives also have important nutritional properties and the black variety are rich in iron and vitamin E. What’s not to love? This tapas cookery class with Jose Pizarro is a perfect way to experiment with flavours of the Mediterranean and will leave you fully equipped to host your own tapas party! Each session ends with a mouth watering feast of all the food prepared, accompanied by some carefully selected wines.   To keep up to date with the Olive it! campaign visit Olive It or follow on Twitter @Oliveit_UK and like on Facebook OliveitUK.     #WIN A PRIVATE TAPAS COOKERY CLASS FOR TWO WITH JOSE PIZARRO!       TERMS Competition closes Sunday 28th September at 12am winners will be emailed before 12pm on Monday 29th September 2 lucky winners will both receive a pair of tickets for the private tapas cookery class for two with Jose Pizarro.  Due to the event being on 3rd October winners will need to respond as soon as possible to my winning email. I will pass on all details of winners to the company representing this event This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.

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Daddy Gets Work Shoes From Jacamo

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When we were asked to review an item of footwear from Jacamo I have to admit that firstly I didn't think they sold shoes and secondly I always had this idea that Jacamo was a shop only for the 'larger' man. I was wrong on both.

Actually I was very impressed when browsing the Jacamo website. There is a whole range of brands to choose from including Lambretta, French Connection and Timberland.  They offer sizes from S to 5XL and footwear right up to size 15. Daddy got the chance to browse and choose a pair of shoes from the Jacamo, Black Label or Label J range. When it comes to shoes for Daddy he usually chooses a similar type every time and he was pleased to find a pair that he likes.

Jacamo lace up shoes Formal lace up shoe featuring panel detailing, smart, sophisticated and stylish. Come in both a standard or extra wide fitting. Available up to a size 15 Choice of colours - black or brown At the bottom of the page their was a review section were customers have wrote about their experiences with this shoe and to be honest there were a lot of negative comments. Most people seem to experience the heel or both heels falling off in just a couple of wears or said they look cheap. This didn't stop Daddy giving them a go as for £25 they seemed great value.

When they arrived we were happy with them. They didn't look cheap. Daddy tried them on and they are a lovely fit and Daddy actually said they feel like wearing slippers.

Daddy has been wearing these to work and after a week of wear there is no signs of the heel wearing away and it does not look like it will fall off either. I guess only time will tell but for now Daddy is very pleased. You can find out more about Jacamo by visiting the website HERE
*we were sent the shoes in return for a honest review*

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