Healthy School Lunch Boxes Ideas
October 30, 2008
It’s estimated that about five million lunch boxes are prepared by British parents every week day. In a recent survey the Food Standards Agency published some startling facts – three out of four packed lunches were likely to contain food that was too high in saturated fat, salt or sugar. Most didn’t contain a piece of fruit but did include chocolate, biscuits, sugary drinks and crisps.
Experts say that we should not under estimate the importance of a eating a healthy lunch. Putting the right lunch box together can improve your child’s attention span, behaviour and learning ability throughout the school day. One third of a child’s daily nutrients should be in a school lunch box.
It all sounds so easy! However most of us if we’re honest espicially if we have fussy eaters can sometimes struggle with this advice. So what should we putting in our lunch boxes? Here are a few tips.
Protein – sandwiches using protein fillers such as chicken, ham, egg, tuna, cheese or chicken salad, tuna pasta salad keep children alert.
Carbohydrates – choosing complex carbs such as wholemeal bread, pasta, banana or rice release calories slowly so help to keep up energy levels and concentration. White bread, cakes and biscuits otherwise refined carbs only provide instant, short lived energy.
Calcium – some excellent sources are smoothies, cheese, yoghurt, fromage frais and milk shakes for healthy bones and teeth.
Fruit and vegetables – Self explanatory really! Dried fruit is also a good source of vitamins and minerals.
What to avoid – Cereal bars, flavoured yoghurt, savoury snacks, real fruit snacks and fruit juice drinks – all contain too much sugar, salt, artificial flavourings, sweetenrs and colourings.
Netmums have some great ideas have a look here
Using The Eatwell Plate will help you get the balance right. Click here for the Eatwell Plate it shows you how much of what you should eat should come from each food group.
And finally our range of lunchboxes and bags will make your child want to carry his/her lunch to school with the latest fun character or super hero!
Success For Fiesta Crafts With Paint, Make & Play Sets
October 21, 2008
Fiesta Crafts is celebrating a gold award from the Good Toy Guide for their Paint, Make & Play Sets.
The judges included parents, adults and perhaps the hardest judges of all – the children!
These innovative craft kits are designed for kids who love to personalise their toys and are proving to be highly popular. There are five ranges to choose from – Castle, Fairy House, Fire Station, Nativity Scene and Princess Castle. They make an excellent, quality gift.
Fiesta Crafts also received Silver awards for 3 For Me, Fish N Spell and Greedy Pirates.
Well Done Fiesta Crafts!
This Year’s Dream Dozen Toys Announced
October 15, 2008
These are the toys that are predicited to be this year’s bestselling must haves – in alphabetical order they are:
BABY born® with Magic Potty, Zapf Creation® (RRP £33.99)
Bakugan™ Starter Pack, Spinmaster (RRP £12.99)
Ben 10 Deluxe Omnitrix, Bandai (RRP £15.99)
Catcha Beast, Bandai (RRP £19.99)
Cupcake Maker, Character Options (RRP £29.99
Elmo Live, Mattel (RRP £59.99)
FurReal Biscuit, My Lovin’ Pup, Hasbro (RRP £149.99)
High School Musical 3 Musical Dance Mat, Vivid Imaginations (RRP £22.99)
In The Night Garden Upsy Daisy and Her Chase and Play Bed, Hasbro (RRP £34.99)
My Life, Flair Leisure Products (RRP £49.99)
Rescue Pals Swim To Me Puppy, MGA Entertainment Ltd (RRP £29.99)
Star Wars Clone Trooper Voice Changer, Hasbro (RRP £29.99)
Pantomimes – What’s on in your area?
October 8, 2008
It’s that time of year for awful jokes, plenty of audience participation and seeing your favourite television stars if they’re brave enough! Pantomime season is nearly upon us again and offers something all the family can enjoy or endure.
A site called The big Panto Guide provides an excellent resource for finding out what’s on in your area with listings of both professional and amateur productions. Click here for more information.
Dream Toys 2008 to be announced on 15th October!
October 8, 2008
Not long to wait now! With over 50 years of consumer knowledge the Toy Retailers Association is uniquely placed to make predictions on this year’s dream toys.
There are seven categories which we’ve listed below.
Hot Dozen – all will be revealed on the 15th October!
Pre-school- toys that stimulate and motivate the under 4s.
Boys – cars, pirates, transformers!
Girls – Make-up, dolls, glitz and glamour.
Hip’n'Kool – For older kids and even adults!
Games – for fun, family times.
Creative – for budding designers and engineers.
Check back here next week to find out the hottest toys in town!
Center Parcs Winter Wonderland Breaks
October 8, 2008
From 5th November each village at Center Parcs will have its own unique way of celebrating the festive season and with prices starting from just £206 what better way to enjoy a fabulous break with your family.
Center Parcs have four villages situated in the United Kingdom – they are Whinfell Forest, Sherwood Forest, Elveden Forest and Longleat Forest. To be sure you have a fantastic time each village has a range of activites to suit all.
Whinfell Forest will completely transform the heart of the village into a unique Lapland experience. Along with Santa’s Woodland Workshop their will be carriage rides, a reindeer hunt and naturally a pantomime – Sleeping Beauty.
At Sherwood Forest you can enjoy the Family Christmas Ice Party with its own white chocolate snow fountain, carriage and woodland pony rides, the Snow Queen’s Lantern Procession. and Aladdin pantomime.
Elveden will have a magical firework display along with fancy dress competitions, jewellery making and festive treasure trails. Great fun for the whole family will be Bjorn the Polar Bear and singing reindeer.
Last but not least Longleat will have roaming choirs to help get everyone in the festive spirit. For the children there will be live reindeers and horse and carriage rides to visit Santa. The pantomine at Longleat will be Cinderella.
So for a fun, festive break with your loved ones check out Center Parc’s website here