An excellent pre-Christmas gift from Holland and Barrett. Their Advent Calendar

 

My wife has asked me to post this up on That's Christmas, so here we go.

Last year my wife wanted a Holland and Barrett Beauty Advent Calendar, but we missed getting one as they'd sold out.

This year we got in early and ordered one which arrived this lunchtime.

It costs £45 and is filled with 25 absolutely wonderful beauty products. My wife (who is the expert on such matters) believes there is at least £200 with of beauty goodies in the box.

What's in it? Ingredients:

Upcircle Eye Cream 10ml: Aqua, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, C14-22 Alcohols, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Glycerin, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract*, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil*, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Acer Rubrum (Maple) Extract, Coffea Arabica (Coffee) Seed Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Calendula Officinalis Extract*, Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile) Flower Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract*, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, SalicylicAcid, Sorbic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Benzyl Alcohol, Limonene **.*Organically grown ingredients. **Natural constituent of essential oils listed.

Fushi Really Good Hair Oil 10ml: Organic Sesame Seed Oil (Sesamum Indicum), Triple Infused Organic Brahmi Serum (Brahmi Herpestis), Organic Coconut Oil (Cocos Nucifera), Organic Avocado Oil (Persea Americana), Organic Sweet Almond Oil (Prunus Dulcis), Organic Moroccan Argan Oil (Argania Spinosa), Neem (Azadirachta Indica), Indian Jasmine Absolute EO (Jasminum Grandiflorum), Vitamin E. Sukin Super Greens Detoxifying Facial Scrub 20ml Water (Aqua), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Bambusa Arundinacea Stem Powder (Bamboo), Cetyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Jojoba Esters, Spirulina Platensis Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Petroselinum Crispum (Parsley) Extract, Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract (Kale), Glycerin, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil (Rosehip), Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Peel Oil, Ananas Sativus (Pineapple) Fruit Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Fragrance (Parfum)*, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol. *Natural Fragrance.

REN Ready Steady Glow Tonic 50ml: Aqua (Water), Sodium Lactate, Lactic Acid, Heptyl Glucoside, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Triethyl Citrate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Salix Nigra (Willow) Bark Extract, Benzoic Acid, Citrus Nobilis (Mandarin) Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Flower Oil, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Citrus Tangerina (Tangerine) Peel Oil, Heptanol, Parfum* (Fragrance), Limonene.

Wet Brush Mini Detangler Brush: Plant Based Starch (Brush handle) - Nylon (Bristles)

Natura Siberica Daily Protection Hand Cream 30ml (Please refer to product): Aqua, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Octyldodecanol, Glycerin, Glyceryl Linoleate, Glyceryl Oleate, Glyceryl Linolenate, Pinus Sibirica Seed Oil WH* , Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil*, Amaranthus Spinosus Seed Oil*, Pinus Sibirica Needle Extract WH* , Abies Sibirica Needle Extract WH*, Picea Obovata Needle Extract WH*, Crataegus Monogyna Fruit/Leaf Extract*, Achillea Millefolium Extract*, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract WH*, Spiraea Ulmaria Extract*, Bidens Tripartita Flower/Leaf/Stem Water WH H*, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract*, Saponaria Officinalis Root Extract*, Arctium Lappa Root Extract*, Tocopherol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Xanthan Gum, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Parfum, Citral, Citronellol, Limonene, Linalool.(*) Ingredients from Organic Farming. /(WH) Wild harvested Siberian plants organic derivatives. /(H) Siberian plants organic hydrolate.

AromaWorks Lavender And Petitgrain Mini Candle 75g: Soy Wax infused with a blend of 100% pure Essential Oils.

Weleda Prickly Pear Facial Lotion 30ml (Please refer to Product): Water (Aqua), Alcohol, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glyceryl Oleate, Betaine, Xanthan Gum, Kaolin, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Galactoarabinan, Isoamyl Laurate, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water, Citric Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, Fragrance (Parfum)*, Limonene*, Linalool*, Citronellol*, Geraniol*. *from natural essential oils.

Dr Organic Guava Body Wash 250ml: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Aqua, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Psidium Guajava (Guava) Fruit Extract, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Salicylic Acid, Tocopherol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Parfum, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Limonene, Linalool.

I Love Tonka Bean And Myrrh Body Wash 125ml: Aqua (Water EAU), Cocamidopropyl, Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Sodium Chloride, Parfum (fragrance), Sodium Benzoate, Glycerin, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Allantoin, Panthenol, Pogostemon Cablin Labiatae (Patchouli) Oil, Commiphora Abyssinica (Myrrh) Oil, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum (Cinnamon Bark) Oil, Bulnesia Sarmienti (Guaiacwood) Oil, Linalool.

Q+A Apple AHA Exfoliating Gel 75ml: Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Propanediol, Panthenol, Malic Acid, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Succinoglycan, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice Powder, Sodium Gluconate, Allantoin, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Betaine, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid.

Faith In Nature Dragon Fruit Shampoo Bar: Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Starch*, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate*, Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate,* Cetearyl Alcohol*, Aqua (Water), Glycerin*, Hydrogenated Castor Oil*, Hylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract*, Cocamidopropyl Betaine*, Parfum (Fragrance)*, Limonene*, Linalool*, CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide)** *Plant Derived **Mineral derived.

Ayumi Turmeric And Bergamot Face Mask 20ml: Aqua (Water), Kaolin, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Citrus Nobilis (Mandarin Orange) Peel Oil, Argania (Argan) Spinosa Kernel Oil, Citric Acid, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Extract, Phyllanthus Emblica Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Citral, Limonene, Linalool.

Ecodenta Certified Organic Multifunctional Toothpaste With Hemp Oil 75ml: Glycerin*, Aqua*, Hydrated Silica*, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice**, Tripotassium Citrate*, Sodium Coco-Sulfate*, Xylitol*, Cellulose Gum, Camellia Sinensis (Matcha) Leaf Powder**, Cannabis Sativa (Hemp) Seed Oil**, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil**, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil**, Citric Acid*, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate. **Ingredients from organic farming. *99% natural origin of total. 10% of the total ingredients are from Organic Farming COSMOS ORGANIC certified by Ecocert Greenlife according to COSMOS standard.

Oleus Jojoba Oil 50ml: Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil.

Psychic Sisters Opalite Mini Facial Roller: Natural Gemstone.

Eden Perfume Portobello Perfume 2.5ml: Alcohol Denat, Parfum, Water, Benzyl Alcohol, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool.

Disciple Balancing Mist 50ml: Graveolens Flower Hydrolat (Geranium), Copper Tripeptide-1, Glycerin.

So Eco Multi-Tasking Brush: Packaging Material: FSC Card, Corn Starch Window, Printed with Soy Ink and uses Vegetable Glue. Product Material: Bamboo Handle, Recycled Aluminium Ferrule, Synthetic Taklon Bristles.

Dr PawPaw Lip Scrub And Lip Balm Duo 16g:

Original Balm: Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Hydroxystearic Acid, Candelilla Cera, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Glycine Soja.

Sugar Scrub: Sucrose, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Hydroxystearic Acid, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Candelilla Cera, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Glycine Soja, Aroma, Limonene.

Holland and Barrett Aloe And Cucumber Face Wash: Aqua, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Sodium Chloride, Glycerin, Parfum, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Citrus Aurantium Amara Leaf/Twig Oil, Ferula Galbaniflua Resin Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract.

Tisserand Sleep Better Pillow Mist Mini 9ml: Aqua (Water), Polysorbate 20, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Copaifera Reticulata (Copaiba) Balsam Extract, Cedrus Deodara (Cedarwood) Wood Oil, Cupressus Sempervirens (Cypress) Leaf Oil, Santalum Spicatum (Sandalwood) Wood Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Peel Oil, Cananga Odorata (Ylang Ylang) Flower Oil, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Flower Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Linalool*, Limonene*.

Evolve Bio-Retinol Gold Face Mask 30ml: Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Glycerin**, Kaolin, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil*, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil*, Mica, Titanium Dioxide (CI77891), Silica, Iron Oxide (CI77491), Sucrose Laurate, Rosa Canina (Rosehip) Fruit Oil*, Parfum (Naturally derived Fragrance), Bidens Pilosa Extract, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Gossypium Herbaceum (Cotton) Seed Oil, Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Seed Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Water*, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Oil, Tocopherol, Sucrose Stearate, Sucrose Palmitate, Tin Oxide. *Ingredients from Organic farming. **Made using Organic Ingredients.

My wife's advice? "Order yours today, because I don't want people to miss out!"

https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/25-days-of-beauty-advent-calendar-60049355?skuid=049355

Squeak Bean can help you cater for vegetarians and vegans this Christmas

Yes, those neat people at Squeaky Bean can really help you cater for the vegetarians and vegans in your life this Christmas.

If you are going to cater for a mixed crowd this Christmas and New Year, you will be able to provide the vegetarians and vegans who will be visiting you home over the Christmas and New Year period if you buy the delicious products in the Squeaky Bean range. Or maybe you are the vegetarian or vegan in your family? Then these products will be ideal for you, too!

There are tasty Roast Chicken style slices which do taste very like roast chicken. 

Got guests who want something with a bit more bite for their mouthful? Then look no further than the Squeaky Bean char-grilled Piri- Piri mini fillets. They are pleasantly spicy without being over the top and they do taste just as if they are just from the BBQ! 

I personally love the Squeaky Bean Applewood Smoked Ham Style Vegan Slices. Even though I am not a vegan or even a vegetarian!

Making sandwiches for the Christmas platters? Try the NYC Deli Pastrami Style sandwich slices to make a nice change from the usual?

Like Indian style spices? If you do (and who doesn't?) then you and your guests will adore the Squeaky Bean Kick of Tika chicken style slices. 

The range can be eaten uncooked, or you can cook them if you wish, suitable cooking instructions are included, if appropriate. 

I also love the Squeaky Bean Scotch egg bites as they are absolutely delicious.

Other items are available so keep an eye out for them.

Available from Sainsbury's, Tesco, Ocado, Asda, Waitrose and the Co-Op, plus other retailers, too, including https://shop.wattsfarms.co.uk/.

Other stores are coming on board, so do watch out for availability at your store or ask them to check out www.Squeakybean.co.uk. 

That's Food and Drink: Pull the Pin Rum

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latentia primitivo puglia 2020

Latentia primitivo puglia 2020 wine is one of the best wines that my wife and I have tasted in recent years.

It's a high quality and award winning Italian red wine. It's a very red type of red wine, with a good deep colour. 

The flavour is a very full flavour, yet it is not too overpowering. 

There are hints of hedgerow fruits such as blackberries, but also there are strong notes of cherries and dark red berries.

It also carries some spiced notes like fresh black pepper and also cinnamon and perhaps a touch of ginger? I thought I could detect ginger, but my wife wasn't in agreement with me on that point. But we both enjoyed the wine very much, which is the main thing.

We feel that it would be a good accompaniment to red meat dishes and also with cheeses, though the winery points out that it pairs well with cured cheeses and with pasta dishes.

I personally found that it was a fine choice of wine to be served with minced pies. It has a 13.5% vol.

We actually feel that this wine would also be a good match for traditional Christmas delicacies so we would heartily recommend buying several bottles (or a case) for the Christmas and New Year festivities.

Check your local wine merchant or it is also available via Amazon at £12.00 a 75 cl bottle. 

That's Books and Entertainment: Storm Front

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That's Books and Entertainment: Moth Boy

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That's Books and Entertainment: White Scar

That's Books and Entertainment: White Scar: The novel White Scar written by Jill Petts is set in the White Scar Cave in Ingleton, Yorkshire. Jill tells the story of Ralph and Alba Milw...

That's Books and Entertainment: For the Love of Roman

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Get Unearthed for Christmas

With talk, and a good deal of nonsense to be honest, in the mass media about shortages of foods for Christmas, our minds turned to finding out what will really be available for Christmas. It's a lot, you can trust us on that, but it's best to look for new and different things that you can eat over the Christmas and New Year season.

There are many companies out there who are working hard to unearth novel taste experiences for you. And one of these companies is actually called Unearthed.

Since 2008 they have been striving to bring foodies the best that is available from olives to absolutely delicious Pork Rillettes, to the freshest of continental meats. You have got to try their Calabrian Selection and their French Torchon Ham is the epitome of what every good ham should be; Succulent and exquisitely tasting. Is that because it's wrapped in cloth whilst it's cooking? Quite probably the answer is yes.

They also sell something that my late father would have adored, properly cooked and perfectly balanced Spanish omelettes. My grandfather was a businessman who was based in Spain for a number of years and my father who grew up in Spain had a governess and they had a cook who made absolutely delicious Spanish omelettes.

For years my father spoke with fondness of the omelettes he ate in Spain. I feel sure that he would have loved  the Unearthed Spanish omelettes. 

Try their Potato with Red Pepper, or their Potato Omelette with Onion or their Potato Omelette with Spinach. I have to admit that the latter was my favourite. I adore spinach, as it happens.

Check out their website at https://www.foodsunearthed.co.uk/ to learn more about the stunning range of outstanding foods such as Olives with Gouda; Chorizo Meatballs; ready-to-eat Garlic Prawns on skewers in handy, microwave-friendly packaging; and Surimi Rings and Spicy Spanish sausages.

Also, should you feel like a picnic (if you have never had a Christmas picnic, you haven't lived!) the products don't necessarily need to be cooked or heated so you can eat them cold supported with some suitable wines and carefully chosen beers. And mince pies, too.

Their ibérico steaks are remarkable as are their antipasti, their Pâtés and sausages. As for their meats? I would suggest you buy double the amount because they taste so good, you'd be crazy not to.