Cancer Care Parcel Review

 Today I'm going to share something a little different.

We all get affected by cancer at some stage in our lives, be that seeing a loved one pass, become diagnosed with cancer and have to go through the long cancer treatment process or even ourselves will get diagnosed with cancer.

So what can we do for those loved ones who are going through that hard time?

Spread a little kindness, show them that we are there and we are thinking of them.

A nice way to do this is by sending a care package, we could make these ourselves which is always nice but if you don't have the time or you aren't sure what to put in your care package the guys over at cancer care parcel have a range of suitable parcels you can choose from and send straight to your loved one.

They vary in price, so something to suit everyone's budget, and also they have a range of different sort of parcels,

Ones for twins, breast cancer patients, those going through Chemotherapy, big boxes and small boxes.

All full of thoughtful gifts that aim to try and bring a little comfort to your loved one in their cancer journey.

I was sent the luxury breast cancer gift hamper which retails at £89.99.

This gift is guaranteed to make your friend/loved one know that you are looking after them.

For Comfort

✓ BLANKET: For a warm, cosy and comforting feeling during therapy, at the hospital or at home.

✓ NECK CUSHION: Soft to the touch this neck cushion provides fantastic support and can help relax.

✓ BED SOCKS: Perfect Solution to cold feet that can result from chemo treatment.

Pampering

✓ RIBBED FOOT ROLLER: To take the mind away from the everyday stress of cancer.

✓ LIP BALM: To soothe and protect.

For Nausea

✓ ANTI-NAUSEA WRIST BAND: A clinically proven, drug-free alternative treatment for the control of nausea.

✓ PEPPERMINT HERBAL TEA BAGS: Peppermint tea has numerous health benefits including stress relief and relaxation.

To Relieve Stress

✓ COLOUR PAD AND PENCILS: For relaxation.

✓ SLEEP MASK: To help shut out the world and get much-needed rest.

Useful

✓ WOVEN COOL FOOD BAG: Having several small meals a day is often advised when feeling nauseous. This small personal cooler suits this purpose, it is practical and robust enough for everyday use.

✓ EARPHONES: Spare earphones to help listen to relaxing music and take the mind off treatments and nausea.

✓ WATER BOTTLE: Keeping hydrated is very important when you are not eating well. This water bottle is easy to hold, eco-friendly and BPA free.

✓ ACCESS TO CANCER RESOURCES

✓ LUXURY ECO-FRIENDLY PACKAGING

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I thought the box had a great range of items to help one feel more comfortable and relaxed, and I think a cancer care parcel is something I would end up sending out as a care package to a loved one.

I like the fact there is a good range of boxes of all prices and for all cancer patients.

Along with the care parcel, I was also sent a few helpful tips on how to comfort and help your friend or loved one going through cancer.

Here are some of their suggestions on how to lend a hand,

 

• prepare a meal
• pick up prescriptions
• do the shopping
• organize doctor appointments
• take them to appointments
• make difficult phone calls
• tidy the house
• take care of children
• talk to their partner
• take care of a pet
• do the washing up
• arrange a night out (or at home with a movie)
• arrange a simple day out
• help research subjects as directed by your friend
• read his or her emails/blog if they decide to write about their cancer
• let them know that you are available if an unexpected need comes up
• organize a phone chain/or support team to regularly check on your friend
• offer to take notes during an appointment
• offer to provide company during a treatment
• go for a walk together

Do you feel a cancer care parcel is something you'd think about sending a loved one?

If so and you'd like to find out more about the different hampers on offer why not head over to 

www.cancercareparcel.co.uk and see what they have available.

A Mini Upcycling Project

 For the past few weeks after a strange dream, I had, I've been constantly making baby lists, of items that we need / things I want.

One of the big buys was going to be a changing unit/chest of drawers, I had seen a few I liked and even though pricey I decided it was needed and I just had to put up with spending a mini fortune on some new drawers, as I have nowhere else to store the baby's clothes.

Skip to last weekend when I had just successfully finished painting all the kitchen cupboards and was feeling pretty smug with myself, I saw someone had posted up on Facebook marketplace a cute set of vintage-looking drawers for free - not quite changing unit height but cute non the less!

Another little upcycling project for me to take on.

I decided I'd have them, I only had to drive down to the end of the road to pick them up to, so it was looking like a win-win situation.

I already had the paint which was leftover from my kitchen update and the drawers were free, so even if I didn't end up using them for the baby it wouldn't have cost me anything.

It took me a few days of painting, as I ended up doing three coats, just to make sure it was all even and I was over the moon with the results...

After

Before.

I'm really pleased with the end result and it fits in well in my room, as I have already used the grey paint on the bedside tables. Once it was in my room, I still couldn't bring myself to putting in all the baby's clothes as inside the drawers I still felt needed a little something. 

I'd hoovered them out and wiped them clean but still decided they needed a little something, I was going to 

buy some scented lining paper, but then decided even that wouldn't be enough to help me feel that I was able to put in brand new baby clothes in (snobby I know) so whilst in the bath, I had a bit of a brain wave and decided to buy some of that sticky back vinyl paper that people use to cover kitchen cupboards and units. 

So on Sunday, we popped to B&Q to purchase two rolls of the sticky back vinyl paper in a gloss white finish.

Once the kids were all settled down after lunch playing on their games I went upstairs to tackle the drawers.

It took a good hours work, and it's probably not one of neatest attempts of my work but it did the job I was hoping it would and the drawers are now all spotless and wipeable!

Once I'd finally finished lining the drawers I set about organising all the baby's clothes into the drawers.

 I feel nesting has well and truly begun!

Eventually, I will probably have to buy another set of drawers as I know these will fill up quickly and I do still need a changing unit but in total for the whole chest of drawers upcycle cost £9!!!

And because of that, I shall do a little happy dance!

**Paint used**

Grey - Frenchic Lazy range in spitfire

Pink - Frenchic Al Fresco in Dusky Blush.

Top Tips for Choosing a School for Your Child

 All parents will have to go through the process of choosing a school for their child, at least once. 

It can be a stressful experience because there are so many different things to think about; 

• What are the facilities like?  
• Did the school receive a good result in their previous inspection report?
•  Is the location convenient? 
• Where do they rank in the league tables? 

The list goes on. 

To help relieve some of this stress and offer you some guidance, I have teamed up with a prep school in Somerset. 

 

Start by discussing your priorities with the rest of the family, including your child, and then preparing a checklist. 

• Does the school need to be within walking distance of your home, or on route to your work? 
• Is your child keen on sport and therefore in need of decent sporting facilities? 

Once you have a list of your main requirements, you can start doing some research online and ruling out any schools that aren’t suitable. 

There will be photos of the facilities on the websites, along with things like previous exam results and Ofsted reports.

 

Once you have established a few favourites, you can start to visit the schools. There is no better way to determine whether or not it is right for your child than to have a look around and ask lots of questions. 

• Consider whether or not the current students seem happy and well adjusted. 
• Are they welcoming? 
• Think about whether or not the school feels safe and clean and ask the staff about their pastoral care. 

 

Your instincts will play a huge role in the decision, as you know your child better than anyone else. 

Do you think they are likely to fit in? 

Take them along to the open days and see how they respond to the environment and the people. 

You also shouldn’t be afraid to chat with your family and friends for some advice if you feel out of your depth. 

Hopefully, this helps a little when it comes to your time choosing a school for your little one.

**Collaborated post

The Baby Hamper Company Review

Not Your Standard Baby Gift

Recently I was sent an utterly gorgeous baby hamper from The Baby Hamper Company to review.

I hadn't seen much about them online before, so I wasn't too aware of what to expect, but after having a peak on the website I was more than excited about receiving a hamper from them. Everything looked so well planned and put together that I knew I would instantly love the hamper I was being sent.

I was sent the large baby girl hamper which retails at a very reasonable £40.00, I feel at this price it would make an excellent maternity leave present for a co-worker, or even a present for the mum at school who has just had a baby, if you're clubbing together it isn't going to leave you out of pocket at all and the receiver is going to be over the moon with their thoughtful present.

There are different sized hampers for all budgets and they are all carefully thought about and very nicely presented, so whatever hamper you end up treating someone to, you can rest assured that the receiver will be over the moon.

What's inside the hamper?

• Aden + Anais Dahlia Muslin square - single,
• Baby Bunting Grey and White Star print romper suit,
• Baby Bunting Grey Star print Knotted hat,
• Newborn Baby girls bodysuit, Blush pink, Hello World Print,
• Pebble Fairtrade Crochet Octopus in Pink.

I really love everything inside my box and I cannot wait to dress our little girl in her new goodies once she arrives.

Everything was presented nicely and it felt just like Christmas Day unwrapping it!

 If I had been given this as a present from a friend or relative I would have been over the moon to receive it.

All the clothes are of good quality and I know from previous experience that the Aden + Anais muslins are fantastic, Rupert had/has a large swaddle one from them and it is still going strong, he still takes it to bed every evening.

A Little Bit About The Baby Hamper Company.

The Baby Hamper Company is run by mother and daughter duo Chloe and Christine.

Chloe is a mum to one and Christine is mum to three.

After the birth of Chloe's little boy Harry back in 2011, they both realised there was a gap in the market for affordable unique and cool gifts that new mums really wanted.

And so it was that new mum Chloe, a design graduate and Christine, an owner of a successful building and development company set about filling that niche.

And the rest they say is history.

I am personally glad they set about filling that gap in the market and I am utterly impressed with my hamper!

My cousin is due this month and I already know what I'll be treating her and her bundle of joy too.

If you would like to see more of the hampers on offer, why not pop over to the website and have a look;

The Baby Hamper Company.

*I was gifted the hamper for free in return for an honest review, all thoughts are my own.

Easy Half term Lunch with Lo-Dough

 During the half term, I wanted to keep lunches fun and stop it from being repetitive, so I decided to whip up some pizzas with some Lo-Dough bases that I had been previously sent to try out.

The pizzas literally took 5 minutes to pop the toppings on and only 6 to 10 minutes to cook in the oven, so whilst the boys were all out in the garden bouncing around on the trampoline I was able to get lunch ready without anyone moaning.

Lo-Dough is incredibly versatile

Lo-Dough is a game-changing, innovative food product which is primarily used as a pizza base and a bread and pastry alternative. 

It can be used to make so many different dishes, including:

• Pizza
• Quiche
• Cakes
• Wraps
• Pies
• Pasties
• Brownies 
• Cheesecake

and much more...

Lo-Dough is a bread replacement like no other. It's high in protein, high in fibre, gluten-free, and  39 calories per piece. When used as a pizza base, it allows you to make a pizza that can come in at as little as 250 calories and just 5 carbs!

The boys were all pretty impressed with their quick and easy Lo-Dough pizza's and quickly gobbled up the four I had made.

For a treat I decided to try out the brownie batter that I was also sent, all I had to do was add water. 

Nice and simple!

Lo-Dough Brownie Mix is like no other. 

Considerably lower in both calories and carbs than anything else on the market, you won't believe the level of indulgence you can experience for just 65 calories.

The boys weren't too impressed with the brownies and only took a bite out of their square, they all have a sweet tooth and I don't think these quite hit the spot.

I do feel these will be great for people who are trying to lower their sugar and calorie intake and at only 65 calories you really can't moan!

To find out more about Lo-Dough why not have a browse over on their website;

Lo-Dough

YogaBellies

 New YogaBellies Classes Launch in the UK

 

 Yoga and meditation are two of the most powerful ways to reduce anxiety and keep both physically and mentally healthy during unstable times. 

YogaBellies, the yoga company with instructors all over the UK have unveiled two exciting new courses to their list of fitness workshops. 

 

 YogaBellies Nurture 

This class is aimed at women who need support immediately after giving birth. Traditionally, this was a time when new mothers were supported by ‘the village’, a community of women around them such as grandmothers, aunts, friends and neighbours. But today, women tend to be left home alone with their partner and new baby – that is until their partner goes out to work too. 

Without a community, women are more likely to suffer from baby blues and post-natal depression. YogaBellies Nurture offers support when women need it most. The classes include postpartum self and infant massage techniques, rituals and philosophies, creating that much-needed ‘village.’ 

A unique blend of care and recuperation for a new mum, Nurture is not a yoga class, but a supportive environment of women where you learn to relax, bond with your baby, meet other women just like you, revive and restore. 

Find your nearest class here – https://yogabellies.com/teachers/category/nurture/

 

-       YogaBellies for Fertility 

This class is perfect for women who are trying to conceive or those who want to get their body in the best possible condition for conception. Yoga has real benefits for women trying for a baby and this course is perfect for those who are trying for the first time or are embarking on an IVF journey. The 8-week classes cover a different topic each week, focusing on stress management, nutrition, relaxation, fertility support and the power of positivity. 

Using feminine yoga principles, the class focuses on pranayama for stress and enhancing fertility, yoga asana for stress and hormone regulations and to help you build a healthy, endometrial lining. Women will also be taught how to adapt asanas as per their menstrual cycle and fertility treatment. 

Find your nearest class here - https://yogabellies.com/classes/fertility/

 

 

YogaBellies was launched in 2008 by Yoga Elder, Cheryl MacDonald when she first started teaching pregnancy yoga in her spare bedroom after her son was born and she was made redundant while on maternity leave. She wanted to help women have fun and connect with other women while practising yoga, creating a warm and supportive environment. She has since helped thousands of women, at every stage of their lives, wanting to attend regular yoga classes and those who wanted to start up their own business as a Yoga Instructor. A hugely successful franchisee model, Cheryl now mentors 100 franchisees across the UK who provide courses face to face and online. 

Founder of YogaBellies, Cheryl MacDonald says: “I want to make my classes as inclusive, accessible and fun as possible. In these really testing times, it’s important that women of all ages have a network they can reach out to, of women feeling similar things as them. 

The new Nurture and Fertility Yoga classes are a fantastic complement to our Pregnancy and Birth, Mum and Baby, Coreplay and Luna classes we hold and I’m really excited to welcome women along. You don’t have to be holier than thou to enjoy yoga, just looking for a new, healthy challenge and some fun along the way.”

 

Their other hugely popular courses include:

 

-       YogaBellies for Pregnancy & Birth – Prenatal sessions that incorporate traditional yoga asanas, self-hypnosis and deep relaxation. It integrates soothing comfort techniques for birth and unique touch therapies for mum and new baby. These 1 hour 15 minutes classes are perfect for pregnant women and new mums.

 

-       YogaBellies for Mum & Baby – Baby yoga has been scientifically proven to help with a baby’s brain development, growth, self-soothing and common ailments such as colic, reflux and poor sleep. This class incorporates baby yoga postures so they can practice with mum. Learn breath awareness and relaxation techniques which help increase energy levels and allow mum to relax with their baby. The class includes YogaBellies baby touch therapies, as well as beautiful songs, games and positive life building experiences, leaving mum and baby feeling stretched, revived and relaxed. 

 

-       YogaBellies Luna – Graceful, flowing and feminine yoga to balance hormonal fluctuations. This class offers calming, slower-paced ‘internal’ poses that are appropriate for women throughout their monthly cycle. Perfect for all women, particularly those experiencing menopausal changes and PMS, the classes help bring harmony and balance into a woman’s everyday life. 

 

-       YogaBellies CorePlay – a dynamic yoga practise that focuses on strengthening the BAPs – the back, abs and pelvic floor. The flowing Coreplay sequence allows you to tone the muscles or ‘yang’ tissues of your body. By repeating a sequence of postures, the class aims to develop muscular strength and flexibility over time. Designed especially for women, it focuses on the areas key to their long-lasting health and happiness, helping balance their body, mind and soul. Each class style is focused on the specific physical, emotional, hormonal and spiritual needs of women – combining, yoga, inspiring music and delicious aromatherapy blends. 

 To find out more and see if there are classes by you head over to -

www.yogabellies.com 

Ace Ultra for Whites Laundry Bleach / Review.

When the boys started their new school, I knew instantly that their bright white polo shirts would come home looking like they'd spent the day being dragged through a muddy field and back again for good measure.....and they certainly didn't let me down!

After their first day, it looked like they had spent a week camping at a muddy festival rather than actually sitting in a classroom learning.

The boys just seem to look at dirt and it automatically jumps upon them, so when I was asked to try out Ace Ultra it was a no brainer and of course agreed, anything to help battle this never-ending mission I currently am on.

Ace Ultra for Whites aims to bring your dull and faded whites back to life.

It surely didn't disappoint, I was half expecting to have to put the polos all back in and try a few times, but after the first wash all the stains were gone and they were all looking bright and white, just like new!

My usual weapon for tackling stains really wouldn't have had such a good result the first time around, so I was really impressed. 

Ace Ultra also didn't smell to bleach like thanks to the floral blossom scent.

The shirts did come out feeling slightly stiff compared to normal, but once they had been in the tumble dryer they were back to feeling soft.

How I used it;

I pour the Ace in my softener compartment up to the fill line,

Ran on a cycle of 40 degrees for an hour.

***

There are full instructions on the bottle for you to follow.

Afterwards, I did run a drum clean cycle on the washing machine as I was worried the bleach may affect the dark load I was about to run, but after using Ace Ultra for a few weeks now I know that that isn't something I need to worry about and none of my dark loads has been bothered by the fact the washing machine had just used bleach in a previous load.

I have seen Ace products in my local Morrisons but have never really paid them much notice, but now Ace for whites is definitely a product that I shall be reaching for in the future when my bottle finally runs out.

Just like new!

You can buy Ace Ultra for Whites in your local Morrisons, to find out more about Ace and their products why not pop over to their website and have a look.

www.acecleanuk.co.uk