HOME: Kitchen Renovation

I think it's finally time to share our kitchen renovation that was actually due to be finished on the day Isabella was born, well over three years ago. We worked on creating our dream kitchen for 12 months in total, with the large distraction of our daughters birth in the middle of that. It's fair to say its been a slow process but there has been many challenges we've had to overcome, such as wonky walls and floors, damp, a wall that needed more support etc. In fact the problems have been endless and reoccuring but that's the joy of an old house! 

TODDLER: Joining the Family Dinner Table with Oxo Tot Perch Booster Seat

As Isabella gets older the more she wants to be part of everything we do, while gaining independence and learning new skills. A recent new level of 'growing up' has been Isabella wanting to sit with us at the dinner table, instead of being in the highchair. The tray on the highchair means that Isabella isn't sat up against the table and she is now aware of the difference between her chair and the chairs we sit on. These toddler's are far too observant!

KITCHEN: Riverford Organics Vegetarian Recipe Box

It's no secret that I love food and cooking, they're my passion in life and have been from such a young age. Now that I'm a parent I enjoy cooking for Isabella too, but time for food shopping and cooking is limited. As a family we have always had home cooked meals, despite having to cook up to three separate meals each time. I'm a vegetarian, my husband isn't and Isabella has to have a low salt/sugar diet. That might sound like a nightmare for some of you, but it's our normal so doesn't bother us at all. So when an email from Riverford Organics popped into my inbox a few weeks ago I was so excited! They are probably best known for their organic fruit and vegetable boxes you can have delivered to your home, however they've branched out and are now doing recipe boxes too.

ZING ANYTHING - Naturally Infused ♥

During these summer months my intake of the good things in life increases - more salads, more cocktails, more relaxing time. I've found the perfect product for enjoying those summer month feelings all year around. ZING ANYTHING represented by Root7 has a range of unique products that will spice up almost any drink or salad! Root7 kindly sent me a couple of products and I'm SO impressed with them! 



 

 

Here's a product perfect for anyone over 18...
The VodkaZinger costs £24.99 and is available from amazon, argos, firebox and drinkstuff. If you like vodka and/or cocktails, then you need this in your life! It's so simple to use, you pop your favourite fruit in the bottom of the container, twist on the top part of the container, pour in vodka (or any other spirit), shake and that's it! The brilliant feature of this product is that you can have freshly flavoured vodka/spirits without the 'fake', 'artificial' and 'overly sweet' taste. The combinations are literally endless, nearly all fruits and herbs can be used, helping you create a unique flavoured vodka. I've come up with some combinations that allow you to create cocktail flavoured vodka/spirits - how amazing!!

Mojito - White Rum, Mint Leaves, Lime and Caster sugar
Woo Woo - Vodka, Peach, Caster sugar, Lime and Cranberries
Blueberry Martini - Vodka, Blueberries, Orange, Mango and Caster sugar
Greentini - Melon, Vodka and Caster sugar
Strawberry Daiquiri - White Rum, Strawberries, Lime and Caster Sugar
Pina Colada - White Rum, Coconut Cream, Pineapple

 

 

These are just some ideas - you could use these as shots (to be enjoyed responsibly) or within a cocktail :)




I made a raspberry, lime and blueberry vodka combination - it was SO easy to made and tasted amazing! The brilliant thing is, the mushy fruit doesn't go into the vodka because they're a mesh to catch it! I added some lemonade to make a longer drink.

I actually also used the same fruit mix but poured in Cola, instead of vodka, creating your very own flavoured Cola! You could also pop your choice of fruits at the bottom of the VodkaZinger and just pour water in to the container, instead of vodka. A lovely a refreshing, low calorie and low sugar, drink on a hot summer's day! 

 

Now here's a ZING ANYTHING product for everyone...
SaladZinger costs £24.99 and is available from amazon, argos, Science Museum Shop (£25) and The Handpicked Collection (£24.95). This product has a similar concept to the VodkaZinger, you pop fruit, onion, garlic, herbs or spices in the bottom of the container, grind it, pour in oil/vinegar and shake. This time you create a completely unique salad dressing, flavoured oil or vinegar! I'm obsessed with Balsamic Vinegar, I use it in cooking, on salads but my favourite is dipping bread in to it. I love flavoured oils and vinegars, every time I visit a food show I always buy a new version. But now I can have a go at creating my own flavour combinations, with never ending options - brilliant! The other big advantage of this product is that you only need to make the amount you need. If you've ever looked into making your own flavoured oils to keep for weeks, you'll find out that you can't put anything with a moisture content (fresh herbs, garlic, chilli etc) because they can harbour harmful bacteria. There's no need to worry about that with the SaladZinger because you only need to make the right amount!  




Here's some ideas:
Chilli Balsamic Vinegar
Ginger Balsamic Vinegar
Garlic Balsamic Vinegar
Strawberry and Black Pepper Balsamic Vinegar
Basil Balsamic Vinegar
Chilli and Garlic Infused Oil
Mint Infused Oil
Lemon and Thyme Infused Oil
Sage Infused Oil
Blood Orange Infused Oil

 

 

I made a chilli, raspberry, coriander and garlic infused balsamic vinegar - which smelt and tasted so good! Very unique!

 

 

 

 

These would make brilliant gifts for food/vodka lovers too!

Feel free to comment :)