Tuesday 24 December 2013

Merry Christmas to all our readers!

Happy Christmas to all readers of That's Christmas!

And a Happy and joyous New Year!


Monday 23 December 2013

Don't Panic at Christmas! Keep your cool in the face of disaster!

Don't Panic at Christmas! Keep your cool in the face of disaster! How?

Let's imagine that it is now fairly late on Christmas Eve and that it is now certain that the one present that you really cannot afford to be missing from under the Christmas tree will be missing.

It might be a present for your spouse, your significant other, a parent or grandparent and due to bad weather, bad luck, a problem with the delivery firm, the retailer or the manufacturer, it will not be there for Christmas Day.

How to you get around this? Using Publisher, Word, Open Office, etc., you can create them a gift certificate for the missing item which you can then place with the other presents so they will not feel they are missing out.

You can also go to retailers with an online presence and download and print out a gift certificate for the love of your life!

Sunday 22 December 2013

That's Books: The Elephant Tree

That's Books: The Elephant Tree: The Elephant Tree is a book for children by Melanie Dore. It tells the story of how a family move from their modern home to an older, some...

That's Books: Who or what was Lee Harvey Oswald? New book has st...

That's Books: Who or what was Lee Harvey Oswald? New book has st...: A new book by Glenn B Fleming has some startling answers to the question of who or what was Lee Harvey Oswald? The official line was that ...

That's Books: "Map" found at Stonehenge

That's Books: "Map" found at Stonehenge: The second edition of The Stonehenge Enigma by Robert John Langdon has been published. In it Mr Langdon claims that a map, dating back som...

Saturday 21 December 2013

That's Books: Beardog's Big Adventure

That's Books: Beardog's Big Adventure: Beardog's Big Adventure is a charming book by Susie Tinson about a very friendly, very large and somewhat strange looking dog who is cal...

Thursday 12 December 2013

Explore Electricity an ideal Christmas present for ages 6 to 9

Explore Electricity is a book written by Carmella Van Vleet. It is published by Nomad Press.

It helps children explore electricity, how it is made, what it is and how it can be used.

It has a fascinating timeline from the earliest understanding of electricity in 600BC, right through to tpday.

It helps children learn ans also explore with 25 projects that they can enjoy, safely.

It encourages children to make and keep their own scientific journal, how to make a simple circuit, how to build your own working switch with a paperclip, how to build your own nightlight and so on.

It also covers the concept of 'green' electricity, what electromagnetism is, how to make a compass move and much more, besides.

It's a paperback book and is priced at $13.95 or £8.61.

It is available through Amazon at a reduced price.

The ISBN is 978 1 61930 180 1.

Tuesday 10 December 2013

New book from doctor is ideal stocking filler!

A new autobiographical book from retired doctor, 88 year-old Dr. G. Alan Rose is called 'Sex & Alcohol in Retirement.'

It's about what happened to Doctor Rose after his retirement. The alcohol part is about his work as an expert witness in a large number of drink driving cases.

However, if Doctor Rose realised that the client was trying to pull a fast one he gave them the advice to plead guilty. He didn't want to see innocent people railroaded, but then again, neither did he want to see guilty people wrongfully let off.

The sex part of his retirement came about when he helped set up a clinic to help parents determine the sex of their children.

Although this is a somewhat controversial area of medicine it is Doctor Rose's contention that, "Sex selection does not change the balance of the sex ratio if ethical guidelines are followed."

The book is highly amusing and very well-written.

This is a fascinating and well-written book. It is available in print form as a paperback and as an e-book, from Trafford Publishing, the retail price for the print edition is  £9.87 or $16.20, the ISBN is 978-1-42690-051-8. Please note that VAT is applicable to e-books, but not print books.

Tuesday 12 November 2013

That's Books: The Great Detective Returns! Sherlock Holmes faces...

That's Books: The Great Detective Returns! Sherlock Holmes faces...: The Great Detective Returns! is a collection of new Sherlock Holmes short stories by N.M. Scott. There is nothing wrong with the stories, ...

Saturday 26 October 2013

Football Director a game for your PC

You can select any one of 320 clubs from football leagues all over Europe plus England and Scotland.

Included are the English Premier, Championship, leagues 1 and 2 plus the Scottish premier division and championship, Other leagues covered are those in Spain, Italy, Holland, France, Germany, Portugal, Austria and Switzerland.

You can buy and sell players, build and train your team and then direct them on match day!

There's an extensive databases of all clubs covered and realistic players. Teams are trainable at squad and individual player levels, it includes the latest vital player stats for the 2013/14 season, there are multiple cup competitions, club and player names are customisable and there are real-time messages from support staff. You'll receive information, back-up and tips from your assistant manager, the coach and other club staff.

You will receive regular updates over the Internet.


The game should cost £9.99.
Football Director

You can select any one of 320 clubs from football leagues all over Europe plus England and Scotland.

Included are the English Premier, Championship, leagues 1 and 2 plus the Scottish premier division and championship, Other leagues covered are those in Spain, Italy, Holland, France, Germany, Portugal, Austria and Switzerland.

You can buy and sell players, build and train your team and then direct them on match day!

There's an extensive databases of all clubs covered and realistic players. Teams are trainable at squad and individual player levels, it includes the latest vital player stats for the 2013/14 season, there are multiple cup competitions, club and player names are customisable and there are real-time messages from support staff. You'll receive information, back-up and tips from your assistant manager, the coach and other club staff.

You will receive regular updates over the Internet.


The game should cost £9.99.

Saban's Power Rangers make a Christmas visit!

This Christmas get the Power Ranger fan in your family a Zord Builder! It's part of the Power Rangers Megaforce,

Suitable for children aged 4 and over, they can build The Power Rangers Figure Megazord - Gosei Great Megazord.

Who is he? He is the first Megazord employed by the Megaforce Rangers in Power Rangers Megaforce, a combination of the five Mechazords. In effect, he is a 5 Zords Combine.

There are 15 Connections and you can collect and combine.




Get the Omni-Link Omnitrix for Christmas!

The Ben 10 Omni-Link is the latest in the range of Ben 10 gadgets.

It fits on the wrist, comes complete with special DVD, there are special Ben 10 video games, free Ben 10 Omni-Link web games and it features over 30 dedicated voices and sounds! It features a special vibration and light show sequences, too. Expect to pay £29.99.

To find out more about the Ben 10 Omniverse visit www.bandai.com/ben10omniverse.

What every fashionable girl should have for Christmas, the Harumika Style Studio!

The Harumika Style Studio is the perfect storage carry case for all your Harumika fabrics, tools, belts and stickers. It now comes in a fantastic bright hot pink colour!

Display your favourite dress form design in the window and then take your case with you everywhere! Studio contains one made up dress form and a variety of different sized fabrics and funky accessories, too!

It's available now, expect to pay £29.99

(EDITOR: Our tester declared it as “a very good item to have!”)


Visit www.harumika.eu for more details and products.

With Funkin you have the makings of some excellent Christmas cocktails!

Most people have had a truly wonderful cocktail, perhaps the barman at a hotel in Spain produced the perfect Mojito for you and, ever since, you have tried to capture that taste, but to no avail.

So-called cocktail bars that sell you what their menu describes as for example- a Mojito but which has the nasty, bitter taste of supermarket value range spirits with a hint of cheap mouthwash. And which they charge you £10 for a small glass!

And mixing cocktails at home can be a bit of an ordeal. “Just muddle three ice cubes, six grains of sugar and...” Really? Life's too short for that!

What you need is something that will help you produce excellent cocktails time after time. What you need is the Funkin range.

Funkin cocktail mixers are 100% natural and 100% authentic. And they can be mixed in about ten seconds!

And the great thing is that with a high quality lemonade they make really great mocktails so designated drivers, for example, can also have a good time at your next party!

Funkin come in the following varieties: 750ml consisting of Funkin Brazilian, Strawberry Daiquiri and Mojito (EDITOR: My favourite and a silver medal winner, too!) which should cost you £2.99 each.

There's also the 1 litre range of: Brazilian, Strawberry Daiquiri, Mojito, Sour Mix, Cosmopolitan, Strawberry Woo Woo and Margarita. These cost £3.99 each.

There are also some cocktail mixers available in handy single serve 120g pouches, inlcuding Belini, Bramble, Cosmopolitan, Margarita, Mojito, Pina Colada, Raspbery Mojito, Strawberry Daiquiri and Strawberry Woo Woo. These cost 99p each.

The full range of Funkin mixers is available at Sainsbury's, Asda, Waitrose, Co-op, Ocada, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, Majestic Wines, Harrods, Amazon and at www.funkin.co.uk.

Here's a special Christmas number you might like to try!

Funkin Christmas Daiquiri
50ml Spiced Rum
30ml Funkin Mixed Berry purée
15ml Funkin Pure Pour Lime
10ml Funkin Vanilla Syrup
1 pinch ground cinnamon
Orange peel for garnish

Fill a martini glass with ice and leave to cool the glass. Fill a cocktail shaker with the spiced rum, the Funkin Mixed Berry purée, the Funkin Pure Pour Lime, Funkin Vanilla Syrup and the ground cinnamon and shake to mix up. Pour the mixture into the glass and top with the orange peel garnish. And then serve yourself and your guests with a perfect Funkin Christmas Daiquiri!

Sunday 6 October 2013

An ideal Christmas gift for the young history buffs in your family The Lttle Book of Monarchs

The hardback book the Little Book of Monarchs by Tony Boullemier is jam-packed with interesting historical snippets about the men and women who have ruled England since The time of the Normans right down to the present day.

With some amusing illustrations by Adrian Teal this book takes an entertaining gallop through the 947 years of the various monarchs, kings, queens, empresses and other rulers who have ruled England, some well and wisely, others not so.

Read about Matilda and the 'great Anarchy' the fate of Richard I, how King John caused a war with France, how Richard II died, learn who presided over the 1705 Act of Parliamentary Union, find out about the longest-serving monarch and many other fascinating facts.

The Little Book of Monarchs is a fascinating book of 120 pages and will make at excellent and well-informed stocking filler at a remarkably good price of £7.99.

It's published in hardback by Matador and the ISBN is 9781783060856

Give your children the magic of the rainbow for Christmas

The truly wondrous My Very Own Rainbow from Brainstorm is the perfect way to light up your child’s Christmas.

Everyone loves catching a glimpse of a rainbow and now you can treat your child to a rainbow every day. The enchanting My Very Own Rainbow (RRP £24.99) light projector transforms any room using multi-coloured LEDs to display a rainbow coloured arc on walls and ceilings in a darkened room. It’s perfect for parties and sleepovers and also makes a soothing night light to help your child drift off and have sweet dreams.

The Rainbow comes complete with two modes, one which turns the whole multicoloured light show on at once and the other which fades the rainbow in and out. It also features an auto shut-off mechanism to help preserve battery life. Now that kids grow out of toys earlier and earlier, My Very Own Rainbow will also appeal to kids well into their tween and teen years.

The My Very Own Rainbow can also be brought to life during the day as it comes with a stunning  sunlight rainbow crystal. Simply hang the crystal on a sunny window and watch sunlight make natural rainbows dance around your room.

As well as entertaining children, all Brainstorm toys educate in a fun and engaging way. The projector comes with a fascinating, colourful education booklet about the phenomenon that is rainbows. 

The My Very Own Rainbow is available from Amazon, Hamleys, Harrods and selected Toymaster stores.



Saturday 5 October 2013

It's the Christmas Gift with a Difference! Have you kids grow Aqua Dragons!

Looking for a really different and utterly unique Christmas gift for your little animal lovers? Aqua Dragons from Brainstorm are a brilliant present guaranteed to keep children entertained long past Boxing Day.

The award-winning Aqua Dragons allow kids to hatch, grow and care for their own prehistoric pets. Aqua Dragons have lived on Earth for millions of years making them around at the same time as the dinosaurs roamed the Earth – and that’s cool in any kids book!

Each Aqua Dragons kit contains live eggs that hatch into real live aquatic creatures. Just add water to their special tank and they miraculously hatch in just 2-3 days and grow to up to 2cm long. The Deluxe Aqua Dragons Kit (RRP £19.99) also features beautiful blue LED lights in the base of the tank and a magnifier to observe your hatchlings. The illuminated Aqua Dragons tank makes a really funky room decoration and children can watch as the Aqua Dragons swim while bathed with light (Batteries included). They are fascinating to watch as they swim and play graciously in their aquatic underwater world

If you are looking for a stocking filler, children can experience looking after Aqua Dragons with the Aqua Dragons Underwater World Kit (RRP £11.99). As well as looking after the Aqua Dragons, children can learn all about these unusual creatures who’s scientific name is Artemia Salinas.

From the crustacea family, Aqua Dragons look like tiny three eyed, long tailed, hairy headed dragons that grow up to 2cm long.  Their eggs have an amazing capacity called cryptobiosis which means they can dry out and stay alive only to hatch many years later. Tests have found eggs kept in air sealed containers for up to 20 years still hatched when they were returned to water.

Aqua Dragons are available from Smyths, Amazon, Hamleys, Harrods and selected Toymaster stores.

Brainstorm has an ideal Christmas gift for your budding astronomers

Want a meaningful but awesomely fun Christmas gift for your future astronomers? Then you need look no further than the wonderful range of Space inspired toys from Brainstorm.

Children are fascinated by the planets and the Remote Controlled Illuminated Solar System (RRP £34.99) will answer all the questions you can’t answer. Children can explore the wonders of the Slar System from the comfort of their own bedrooms.

The illuminated, motorised solar system features eight rotating planets and a full Sun. Not only does it teach them about the solar system in a fun, engaging way but the coloured planets actually rotate on three independent orbits.

So this makes it what has to be the coolest Night Light ever! Mount it to your child’s bedroom ceiling with the enclosed fixings and watch as the illuminated Sun adds a comforting glow to the room. It also features auto shut-off to save battery life.

The Solar System also comes with a colour booklet to teach children all about the different planets – mums and dads will love this too.

The 2-in-1 Globe Earth & Constellations (£39.99) is an amazing way to educate your children about our planet and the constellations in Space. Inspire your own budding astronomer or mini explorer! The 22.8cm daylight Earth globe clearly shows political boundaries, natural features such as lakes and rivers, capitals and major cities but at night it really comes to life!

The illuminated night globe shows key stars and constellations with their Latin and common names.
Place in your child’s bedroom on Christmas Day and its advanced light sensor automatically turns on the LED illumination whenever the ambient light in the room reaches a trigger level of darkness. There is also an on/off switch which allows you to turn off the night-time view conserving battery power. Each box contains a specification to enable you to purchase an adaptor so you can also power it from the mains.

This is more than your average globe and the perfect gift for inquisitive minds and those you want to inspire. It sits on a sturdy, stylish silver base and as well as being a unique learning tool, it’s a great addition to any child’s bedroom.

The 2-in-1  Globe Earth & Constellations is available from Amazon, Hamleys, Harrods and selected Toymaster stores.

The RC Illuminated Solar System is available from Smyths, Hamleys, Amazon, Harrods and selected Toymaster stores.

Brainstorm has Christmas gifts for your budding astronomers

Want a meaningful but awesomely fun Christmas gift for your future astronomers? Then you need look no further than the wonderful range of Space inspired toys from Brainstorm.

Children are fascinated by the planets and the Remote Controlled Illuminated Solar System (RRP £34.99) will answer all the questions you can’t answer. Children can explore the wonders of the Slar System from the comfort of their own bedrooms.

The illuminated, motorised solar system features eight rotating planets and a full Sun. Not only does it teach them about the solar system in a fun, engaging way but the coloured planets actually rotate on three independent orbits.

So this makes it what has to be the coolest Night Light ever! Mount it to your child’s bedroom ceiling with the enclosed fixings and watch as the illuminated Sun adds a comforting glow to the room. It also features auto shut-off to save battery life.

The Solar System also comes with a colour booklet to teach children all about the different planets – mums and dads will love this too.

The 2-in-1 Globe Earth & Constellations (£39.99) is an amazing way to educate your children about our planet and the constellations in Space. Inspire your own budding astronomer or mini explorer! The 22.8cm daylight Earth globe clearly shows political boundaries, natural features such as lakes and rivers, capitals and major cities but at night it really comes to life!

The illuminated night globe shows key stars and constellations with their Latin and common names.
Place in your child’s bedroom on Christmas Day and its advanced light sensor automatically turns on the LED illumination whenever the ambient light in the room reaches a trigger level of darkness. There is also an on/off switch which allows you to turn off the night-time view conserving battery power. Each box contains a specification to enable you to purchase an adaptor so you can also power it from the mains.

This is more than your average globe and the perfect gift for inquisitive minds and those you want to inspire. It sits on a sturdy, stylish silver base and as well as being a unique learning tool, it’s a great addition to any child’s bedroom.

The 2-in-1  Globe Earth & Constellations is available from Amazon, Hamleys, Harrods and selected Toymaster stores.

The RC Illuminated Solar System is available from Smyths, Hamleys, Amazon, Harrods and selected Toymaster stores.


Thursday 3 October 2013

Toast Christmas with Tanqueray Gin

An enduring classic, Tanqueray® London Dry Gin is loved by cocktail lovers and gin aficionados across the globe. With a truly extra smooth taste, it has an elegance that sets it apart from the rest and a flavour that shines in sophisticated cocktails and vibrant gin and tonics.

Tanqueray is made with the finest botanicals including refreshing juniper, peppery coriander, aromatic angelica and sweet liquorice and its smooth yet bold flavour means it has become one of the world’s most awarded gins, making a luxurious and classic gift.
 
There’s no better way to enjoy Tanqueray than with tonic, fresh lime and lots of ice in one of the signature green stem and black base copa glasses. This oversize copa glass evokes the golden age of gin cocktails and its shape allows for the aromas of Tanqueray’s key botanicals to circulate for full appreciation of the drink’s flavour.
 
Tanqueray London Dry Gin comes in a striking and iconic green bottle inspired by the traditional three-piece cocktail shaker. Stockist suggestions: Tanqueray London Dry Gin £26.60 (1L bottle) at Waitrose or £22.50 (70cl bottle) gift boxed at Alexander and James Tanqueray Copa Glass £12.00 at Alexander and James.

(EDITOR: My wife will not allow Tanqueray Gin to be used in cocktails. “Too precious for that,” she tells me!)

Give them a Christmas gift that's 1,050 metres long!

Gear up for a Christmas gift to remember at Capital Karts – the UK’s longest Go Karting track!

With a track of 1,050m, three times the length of a regular karting track experience speeds of up to 45mph on the 80m straight along the track and be the first in the country to drive RIMO Alpha Go Karts, the premium brand used at Michael Schumacher‘s centres in Germany.

A great gift for the whole family – with Go Karts for everyone – from single adult karts through to two seater Go Karts for beginners or those with less confidence, or the disabled, this truly is a gift which everyone can enjoy.

Compete against friends and family to find out who will earn bragging rights by celebrating on top of the podium.

Only 15 minutes from central London, Capital Karts is easy to get to for anyone based in the capital, or outside.

Prices start from £32.99 per person for 30 minutes of driving.
PRICE LIST:
Individual
Twinsprint - 30 minutes (2 x 15mins) = £32.99 per person (weekdays before 4.30pm)
Twinsprint - 30 minutes (2x 15mins) = £42.99 (weekdays after 4.30pm and weekends)
Grand Prix -50 minutes (10 mins qualifying and 40 mins race) = £54.99

Team Event
Le Mans Team event (2-4 drivers per kart) - 100 mins race = £99.99 per kart (weekdays)
Le Mans Team event (2-4 drivers per kart) - 100 mins race = £129.99 per kart (weekend)

Group
Exclusive track hire -
1 hour track hire (16-50 drivers) £57.60 per driver
2 hour track hire (51 - 75 drivers) £51.60 per driver
3 hour track hire (76 - 100 drivers) £47.99 per driver
To book and for more information visit: www.capitalkarts.com


Festive Recipe Ideas for Luxury Christmas Pâtés from Castle MacLellan

Following a fantastic response last year, Castle MacLellan will once again release its exceptionally tasty seasonal range of delicious limited edition premium pâtés, a must for this year’s Christmas menu.
 
To celebrate the return of the range, which complements its core selection of luxury Scottish pâtés, the company has developed a number of tasty recipes. The collection includes mouth-watering meals and canapés that demonstrate how the much-loved product can be used to make show stopping festive treats, as well as being the perfect topping for oatcakes, crackers and blinis.
 
The recipes include Mini Duck, Port and Plum Chutney Pies with a delicious ham hock and pâté centre encompassed in a golden pastry crust; crispy Chicken Parcels with cranberry sauce; and gourmet Salmon Cakes with a warming pinch of nutmeg.

The convenient Christmas pack is designed to allow the pâté to be easily turned out onto a plate as part of an elegant buffet spread. Made from the finest Scottish ingredients, the seasonal range comes in three delicious varieties:
 
Chicken Pâté with Brandy - soft, indulgent and enriched with butter cream and brandy, delicately finished with hints of thyme and sweet notes from the Galloway Bramley apple jelly.
Duck Pâté with Port - a smooth, rich, decadent and very “moreish” duck liver pâté with hints of sweet ruby port.

Smoked Salmon Terrine - a luxurious blend of smoked and poached salmon, cream cheese and crème fraiche, delicately flavoured with horseradish and lemon.

Castle MacLellan has been making the finest fresh luxury pâtés since 1982 and is dedicated to sourcing the very best local ingredients from small, independent companies rooted in Scottish heritage and provenance. The company remains an established and trusted brand, working with a number of local suppliers, which include Rannoch Smokery and The Orkney Fisherman’s Society.
 
Castle MacLellan Christmas pâtés range is available in supermarkets and independent stores throughout the UK from the end of November, priced around £2.99.
 
Mini Duck, Port and Plum Chutney Pies
Makes 8 pies
 
Ingredients:
1 Pack of Castle MacLennan Duck Pâté with Port
500g Packet Short Crust Pastry
200g Packet of ham hock
100g of Plum Chutney

Method:
1.    Preheat the oven to 200oC.
2.    Roll out the pastry to the thickness of a pound coin. Cut out 8x9cm circles of pastry for the base and 8x7cm circles for the top of the pie.  
3.    Take a muffin tray and brush the moulds with a little oil. Push the pastry base into the muffin case.
4.    Drop a tablespoon of the ham hock into the base of each pie, you want it to be about ½ full.
5.    Spread a thin layer of the Castle MacLellan Duck Pâté on top using about a tsp on each pie. Then drop the same amount of chutney onto top. 
6.    Brush the outer edge with milk/egg and add a pastry lid. Pinch the sides to seal and make a small hole in the top.
7.    Cook for 20-25 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
8.    Enjoy.
 
Chicken and Cranberry Parcels
Makes 4 parcels
 
Ingredients:
1 Pack of Castle MacLellan Chicken Pâté with Brandy
4 Sheets of Ready Roll Filo Pastry
20g of Cranberry Sauce
10g of Melted Butter
Flour
 
Method:
1.    Preheat the oven to 200’C
2.    Scoop the pack of Castle MacLellan Chicken Pâté with Brandy into a mixing bowl and stir in the cranberry sauce.
3.    Lay a sheet of filo pastry on a lightly floured surface and brush with melted butter. Work quickly as the pastry will start to dry out.
4.    Place a quarter of the pate mix in the centre and pull the diagonal corner to the middle to form a parcel.
5.     Pinch the pastry in around the pate and let the top fall over.
6.    Brush the parcels with butter again and place in a small muffin tin.
7.    Repeat steps 2-4 until you have used up all the pastry sheets and the pate mix.
8.    Bake the parcels for 10 minutes or until pastry is crispy and golden.
9.     Once removed from the oven place on a piece of kitchen paper to absorb any excess butter.
10.  Serve and enjoy.

Salmon Cakes
Makes 2 Salmon Cakes
 
Ingredients:
1 Pack of Castle MacLellan Smoked Salmon Terrine
1/2 Spring Onion
Pinch of Nutmeg
35g Breadcrumbs
1tbsp of Flour
1tbsp of Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper

Method:
1.    Finely chop the spring onion.
2.    Scoop the pack of Castle MacLellan Smoked Salmon Terrine into a mixing bowl.
3.    Add the spring onion and mix well. 
4.    Drop a pinch of nutmeg and breadcrumbs into the bowl and mix to combine all the ingredients.
5.    Divide mixture into 2 and shape into flat cakes.
6.    Sprinkle with flour and chill the salmon cakes in the fridge for 30 minutes.
7.    Coat bottom of frying pan with olive oil and fry the cakes over a medium/high heat for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown.
8.    Serve immediately with lemon wedges and sweet chilli sauce.

Get Funkin Cocktails for your Christmas and New Year Parties!

Fancy a cheeky cocktail? Then the Funkin Cocktail range is just right!

The new 750ml  funkin cocktail mixer range includes funkin Brazilian®, funkin Strawberry Daiquiri and funkin Mojito (RRP £2.99)

The 1l funkin cocktail mixer range comprises funkin Brazilian®, funkin Strawberry Daiquiri, funkin Mojito Funkin Sour Mix, funkin Cosmopolitan, funkin Strawberry Woo Woo and funkin Margarita (RRP £3.99)

Funkin cocktail mixers are also available in a variety of flavours in single serve 120g pouches, including funkin Bellini, funkin Bramble, funkin Cosmopolitan, Funkin Margarita, funkin Mojito, funkin Pina Colada, funkin Raspberry Mojito, funkin Strawberry Daiquiri and funkin Strawberry Woo Woo (RRP £0.99)

The full funkin range is available nationwide at Sainsbury’s, Asda, Waitrose, Co-op, Ocado, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, Majestic Wine, Harrods, Amazon and www.funkin.co.uk

Keep up to date with the latest party tips and cocktail recipes at www.facebook.com/funkincocktails and www.twitter.com/funkincocktails http://www.twitter.com/funkincocktails

Here's one you can try
Funkin Winter Punch
 25 ml Absolut Vanilla
75 ml Funkin Strawberry Daiquiri cocktail mixer
Sparkling Wine
Orange Peel (to garnish)

Method
Fill a tall glass with ice and leave to cool. Then fill a cocktail shaker with the vodka and Funkin Strawberry Daiquiri cocktail mixer and shake to mix up. Pour the mixture into the glass and top with sparkling wine and orange peel to garnish. Enjoy!

Buy your smoker a SKYCIG Freedom gift set for Christmas

If you have a smoker in your life, isn't it time they went electronic for the New Year? And what better way to do this then by purchasing them the gift of a SKCIG giftbox this Christmas?

It's designed to simulate the act of smoking but by taking away the nasty cocktail of 4,000 chemicals in the smoke from normal cigarettes! And cleverly only leaving a metered and measured dose of pure nicotine, delivered in water vapour and not clouds of choking smoke!

SKYCIG employs special 'push-to-charge' technology which means more 'smokes' as it has longer-lasting batteries. In fact, the freedom pack from SKYCIG conveniently lets users charge whilst their on the go, and with much more simple charging methods.

SKYCIG has seven great flavours to choose from: Crown Tobacco, Tobacco Gold, Crown Menthol, Vanilla, Crown Cherry, Cinnamon and Classic Tobacco.

SKCYIG e-cigarettes allow them to enjoy the physical act of smoking, without the obvious health implications associated with smoking tobacco, they contain nicotine, delivered in the form of water vapour.

They are said to be the most realistic smoking experience available, and are designed to be enjoyed virtually anywhere they see a ‘no smoking’ sign.

With a range of products now available, from the newly launched White Pack, the original Freedom Pack and the brand new, berry flavoured, nicotine free NRG Pack, there is an e-cigarette to suit their needs.

What’s more,  SKYCIG e-cigarettes costs up to 80% less than traditional cigarettes, leaving them with more money to enjoy the finer things in life!

SKYCIG Freedom are available in three strengths, Bold, Regular and Light.

The SKYCIG Freedom  comes with everything they'll need:
A Rechargeable Case containing 2 batteries on the right and 5 empty slots for cartridges 5 on the left
2 Cigarette Batteries (1 is a spare)
5 Cartridges in assorted flavours (equivalent to more than 7 packs of traditional cigarettes)
A USB battery charger with a Mains Adaptor

The SKYCIG Freedom  is priced at £49.99 and is available to buy on www.skycig.co.uk

Go nuts for Christmas, with Cambrook Nuts

You'd almost think it was the result of an ancient law, the fact that, every Christmas, almost every family in Britain buys a large bag of nuts from the supermarket or the fruit and veg stall and places them on the coffee table or the sideboard... and there they sit, unloved and uneaten due to their musty, stale taste, until someone decides to throw them out for the wild birds. And is it a coincidence that soon after they Christen  the washing on the line? Probably not!

But it doesn't have to be like this! Abandon the stale and the mundane and treat you, your family and your Christmas guests to some really delicious Christmas nuts this year! And they make great presents for foodies, too!
 
Because whether you’re mad about macadamias, crazy for cashews, or passionate about peanuts, artisan nut lovers everywhere will be delighted to find a bag of deliciously moreish caramelised nuts from Cambrook in their stocking this Christmas, or in a bowl on the coffee table or sideboard. But don't expect them to stay there for long!
 
Because, using traditional artisan techniques in Cambrook’s Hampshire factory, each nut is coated in a beautiful fine golden glaze and has a distinctive crunchy texture with a hint of salt, making it the perfect gift for foodie friends or a gloriously luxurious snack when you’re feeling a little bit peckish. Whichever one you choose, each and every bag brings an explosion of honeyed, nutty goodness that is hard to resist.
 
Cambook caramelised nuts are the brainchild of Dormen’s founders Michael Brooks and Angus Cameron, who perfected the recipe in a shed at the bottom of Angus’s garden using a French copper roasting pan. “We borrowed artisan methods used on the Continent and set out to create our own distinctive brand of caramelised nuts, and it seems our recipe of a fine layer of sugar and honey with a pinch of salt has been a great success,” says Angus. “We are delighted to be able to say that we are now stocked in some of the best fine food retailers across the country.”
 
The new Cambrook caramelised nut range includes Cashews, Sesame Peanuts, Macadamias and Mixed Nuts, and costs from £1.79 RRP to £2.99 per 80g bag; available at delis, farm shops and speciality food stores, including Fortnum & Mason, Harvey Nichols and Wholefoods.
 
For further information, visit www.cambrookfoods.co.uk

Thursday 19 September 2013

Christmas is coming!

Yes, Christmas is on the way!

And, as every year for the past decade, That's Christmas will bring you news of what foods and drinks will be available, including for those on special diets, great recipes for you to try and new gifts to suit every budget!

Please check back frequently to learn all you need to learn about how to make your Christmas a great and joyous event. And which might not cost you as much as you feared!

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