Gran Stead’s for Christmas!

You really do need some Gran Stead's real non-alcoholic ginger wine in for the Christmas and New Year Season!

Alcohol free it may well be. But! It's not for the timorous! Gran Stead's has a bite and a kick more associated with a mule than with a so-called soft drink!

It has a traditional and proper taste of real ginger, like ginger drinks used to taste of, until they decided to go all chemical and 'nature identical' on us!

But there's none of that artificial nonsense with Gran Stead's! It gives you exactly what it says on the bottle!

It mixes well with other drinks so can be at home in a glass by itself or as part of a cocktail for Christmas.

It is also your editor's experience that it also helps should you get one of those nasty little Christmas time sniffles! Though warming it up to help make a nice hot toddy is a good idea, here.

Percol the Christmas coffee!

Why is Black and  Beyond so highly spoken of? Because it is a new product from Percol. A new product that will rock the Christmas table!

It has an intensity of flavour that is unrivalled and it combines this with a rich and somewhat nutty flavour, with perhaps hints of chocolate, making this an ideal coffee to create the ideal espresso coffee.

Brian Chapman is the master blender and the genius who expertly created and crafted this coffee. Probably one of his finest achievements to date. He said: I have been searching out the finest quality beans and perfecting the roast for the ultimate espresso for nearly twenty years. It is my passion. Finally I have found the perfect beans and the perfect roast to make an espresso which is simply just perfect for coffee lovers."

Ideal for sipping with family and friends throughout the Christmas and New Year periods, and well beyond that, of course!


(EDITOR: Why keep Percol just for Christmas? I love it all year round!)

The Topping Pie Company, Doncaster

When Bill Topping founded his butcher’s shop in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, in 1960 could he know that it was the start of a multi award-winning company whose products would one day grace the delicatessen counter at Harrods? From somewhat humble beginnings Toppings went from strength-to-strength, moving to town centre premises in Doncaster in 1971.

Following Bill’s retirement in 1989, his son Roger and his wife Maggie took over the butchery firm, but it was Maggie’s talent for home baking that changed the landscape of the business. In 1991 Maggie started making traditional home made pies using her own family recipes and totally natural ingredients to sell in the company’s shop. The reputation of the tasty premium pies quickly spread and within two years Maggie had set up a separate bakery division and moved to new, larger premises in order to keep pace with customer demand.

The ethos of the business continues to be that of making pies and quiches using only the very best 100% natural ingredients with no additives or chemicals and locally sourced meat. By 1997 the company continued to enjoy its reputation for fantastic home made pies and picked up a number of awards. By 2000 the company had once again outgrown its premises and the Topping Pie company was officially born when Roger and Maggie took the decision to buy a new, larger building and fit it out as a bakery.

Over the next five years awards continued to flood in. The Best Speciality Food Product from Yorkshire was won two years consecutively and in 2003 Maggie received the accolade of “Speciality Producer of the Year”, awarded by the Guild of Fine Food Retailers. The award was presented at the Great Taste Awards Dinner where Andra Dang, the delicatessen buyer from Harrods first heard about the company and decided he wanted to sell its products on his counter at the top people’s store.

The Topping Pie Company has now transformed from a small family butchers to a multi-award winning speciality pie business, employing 50 people in a newly refurbished bakery.

Milestones

1960. Toppings opened as a butchers shop in Scawsby, near Doncaster by Bill Topping

1971. Toppings moved to Doncaster Market Hall to accommodate a growing customer base

1989. Founder of the business retired and son, Roger and his wife Maggie took over

1991. Toppings awarded butcher of the year in 1991 and 1992

1991 Maggie Topping started to make pies for the business using family recipes and totally

natural ingredients that she had always used at home

2000. Pie sales grew and grew and by 2000 it was necessary to open a bakery in Doncaster

2003/5 Business continues to grow year on year and products win numerous awards

Including Best Speciality Food from Yorkshire two years running and 2003 Speciality

Producer of the Year.

2007. With the support of a South Yorkshire Objective 1 grant and part-funded by the

European Regional Development Fund, Toppings invested £500,000 in the expansion of its bakery as part of its future growth plans to supply major multiples.

Over the past seven years the Topping Pie Company has grown from £60K to a £1.3m turnover business. Every customer loves the taste of Toppings pies because they can see how much passion both Maggie and Roger have for their traditionally handmade products.

Current customers include EH Booths, United Co-op stores; Fenwick’s of Newcastle, Dobbies Garden Centres, ASDA and P&O Shipping Lines. The company is currently in talks with major retailers to stock its premium pies.

Product Range

Pork Pies

Traditional Family Size

Pork Pies (Medium)

Dinkies

Wakefield Rhubarb Pie

Huntsman

Scrumpy Pie

Yorkshire Farmers Pie

Speciality Pork Pies

Game Pie

Apricot Pie

Pork Pie

Apricot & Poultry Pie

Huntsman Pie

Yorkshire Farmers Pie

Scrumpy Pie

Chicken & Ham Pie

Pork & Egg Gala

Pork & Egg Round

Duck & Orange Pie

Cherry Nut & Game Pie

Large Quiches

Cheese & Onion

Chicken & Chive

Sun Dried Tomato

Quiche Lorraine

Salmon & Broccoli

Ham, Stilton & Asparagus

You can buy Topping Pies on line.

http://www.toppingspies.co.uk

(EDITOR: My wife knows a thing or two about pork pies. Some of her relatives are award-winning pork pie makers, themselves. My wife's verdict? "I hate to have to say this, but these Topping Pies are even better than the one's my family makes!") 

TomTom launches limited edition Top Gear satnav featuring The Stig and Clarkson

TomTom has launched  the TomTom GO LIVE Top Gear edition, bringing fans a combination of a Stig mode, Jeremy Clarkson's directions and unique Top Gear selected points of interest including race track and raceway locations related to the series.

Featuring TomTom's congestion-busting HD Traffic technology, the new satnav will steer drivers through traffic jams and is packed with Top Gear features including start-up and shut-down screens and car icons. Drivers can choose to have The Stig mode, which renders the device instantly silent, or select Jeremy Clarkson's voice to guide them.

“For Top Gear fans, this limited edition satnav is the ultimate driving companion. Featuring The Stig, Clarkson and TomTom HD Traffic, the GO LIVE Top Gear edition is perfect for drivers who love the open road,” said Corinne Vigreux, Managing Director at TomTom.

At £179.99, the TomTom GO LIVE Top Gear edition includes one year of TomTom's LIVE Services for free. The flagship service is TomTom HD Traffic, which delivers dynamic routing and accurate traffic information every two minutes. HD Traffic gives drivers detailed incident reports, length of delays and reason for them, accurate travel and arrival times and alternative route proposals.

The LIVE Services bundle also includes the Speed Cameras service, providing mobile and fixed speed camera alerts, while TomTom Places local search helps to pinpoint shops and businesses in the area. QuickGPSfix gets you navigating in seconds and TomTom Weather gives local and five-day forecasts.

Available from today in Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, the UK and the US, this special edition also features richer, more detailed maps, hands-free calling (via Bluetooth®) plus voice command and control for entering addresses and more.

Available exclusively at Halfords in the UK, more information on the TomTom GO LIVE Top Gear edition at http://www.tomtom.com/topgear

The Tanooki Power-Up Returns For Super Mario’s Latest Adventures on Nintendo 3DS

The Super Leaf returns in SUPER MARIO 3D LAND and, for the first time, in Mario Kart 7 exclusive to Nintendo 3DS.

Mario is back and ready to take over your Nintendo 3DS™ this Christmas. Mario stars in not one but two exciting new Nintendo 3DS games when SUPER MARIO 3D LAND™ and Mario Kart™ 7 launch across Europe on 18th November and 2nd December respectively. Both games are exclusive to the Nintendo 3DS and both feature classic Mario action including a return of the classic Tanooki power-up.

SUPER MARIO 3D LAND, features a unique mix of classic and brand new Mario gameplay. Princess Peach is in trouble once again; Bowser has kidnapped her and there is only one man who can save the day.

SUPER MARIO 3D LAND mixes traditional elements of side-scrolling Mario titles like Super Mario Bros.™ 3 (NES™) and New Super Mario Bros.™ (DS), with newer 3D platforming action as seen in 3D Mario titles such as Super Mario Galaxy™ (Wii™). SUPER MARIO 3D LAND offers game play that every Mario player can easily get into as well as challenges for the biggest Mario experts. Can you make it to the Goal Pole in one piece?

Get ready to master a mixture of new and classic abilities on your quest through the Mushroom Kingdom, as the fan-favourite Tanooki Suit returns in SUPER MARIO 3D LAND. By getting a brown Super Leaf, Mario slips into his cute and furry Tanooki Suit giving him the ability to glide in mid air as well as perform a tail attack. You will also have fun mastering the many other abilities from the Propeller Box which makes Mario fly high in the air and the Fire Flower that allows Mario to throw fireballs at enemies.

Look out for special binoculars placed in certain stages and use them to shift perspective to first person, controlled by motion control, you can scout ahead in stages to spot enemies, obstacles and hidden options.

Mario Kart 7 is the latest instalment in the fan-favourite Mario Kart franchise and brings exciting 3D kart action to the palm of your hand. Drivers can explore all new competitive kart possibilities, on big jumps your kart will deploy a Glider to let you fly over the track, or speed over sea floor as you race underwater. Mastering these abilities will allow you to find shortcuts and beat your opponents to the finish line.

Classic items return and some new power-ups appear for the first time in Mario Kart 7. Fans of the Tanooki power-up will be glad to hear that the Super Leaf makes an appearance in this latest instalment giving you both offensive and defensive abilities. Use your Tanooki tail to both protect you from incoming shells and to whip opponents off the track.

Show off your style by customising your vehicle to give you a competitive advantage on the track. For example, some tyres will help you to drive off-road when the course gets rough while other tyres help you on the smoother city circuits.

All the classic Mushroom Kingdom characters return along with some new characters like Metal Mario and Lakitu, but if you would like to jump into the fun, then why not race as your Mii™ character? Challenge your friends in local wireless matches or online over a wireless internet connection while you try to master the new courses.

Share Ghost Data with people you encounter via StreetPass™ and register those you meet to challenge them online. You can also download Ghost Data from across the world via SpotPass™ to test your global karting skills.

There is a course suited to every driving style, from wild rides over a mountain road to city streets and dusty deserts. Fans might recognise new courses on Wuhu Island and in the jungles from Donkey Kong™ Country Returns.

SUPER MARIO 3D LAND and Mario Kart 7 will be available exclusively for Nintendo 3DS across Europe from 18th November and 2nd December respectively.

For more information about this and other features, visit http://www.nintendo.co.uk.


(EDITOR: An ideal Christmas present for the gamer in your life!)

Lytess can help in more ways than you'd think

It’s that time of year again. The stores are filling up with Christmas gifts and party invitations are arriving on a daily basis. But all you can think about is losing a few pounds to get back in to your favourite dress! Don’t panic, with Lytess you can trim down in just 18 days.

Lytess is clinically proven to reduce hips and thigh measurements and all you have to do is wear one of three versatile products. Woven into the fibre of the clothes is a unique formula, containing active ingredients caffeine and Shea butter. This is known as ‘cosmeto-textiles.’

By repeatedly wearing the products for 8 hours a day over 18 consecutive days, the caffeine in the garment fibres is released every day, stimulating the breakdown of fat. The Shea Butter nourishes, moisturises and softens the skin leaving it feeling silky smooth. So you can even wait until the
beginning of December and still trim down on time for Christmas.

The range includes a full length legging, a Capri length legging and a short. The garments are versatile and can be worn during the day either under your clothes or as part of your outfit and can even be worn in bed so you can lose centimetres as your sleep.

The Lytess Slimming range is clinically proven to substantially reduce the hips, thighs and moisturise the skin in 18 days. 77% of 20 trial subjects experienced significant centimetre loss up to 3.1cm on the thighs and 54.5% experienced loss of up to 5.1cm on the hips.

This Christmas wow all your friends when you walk into your office party and share your secret to slimming success – Lytess!

(EDITOR: My wife trialled the Lytess leggings and reported that she was: "Very, very pleased to be wearing them." She added: “I do not know if this was supposed to happen, but I suffer from rheumatism and often have a painful, swollen knee. Within a very short while of putting on the Lytess leggings, I noticed that the pain in my knee had lessened considerably and that the swelling in my knee had virtually disappeared! Thanks, Lytess! These leggings are wonderful! And they are very stylish, too!”)

Buy the cook in your life a set of Salter Colourweigh Scales this Christmas!

It seems that cookery programmes are becoming still more popular, so what better present for the dedicated amateur chef in your life than a set of Salter Colourweigh Scales this Chirstmas?

Colourweigh Kitchen Scale (£20)

In funky Lime and striking Raspberry, these ultra-slim and easy to store Salter Colourweigh Kitchen Scales pack a lot of efficient features into its slinky frame.

Key features include:

Ultra slim design for easy storage.

Easy-clean stainless steel platform – you can weigh directly on the platform and clean afterwards or with your own bowl. Suitable for use with most bowls or containers.

Add and weigh ‘zero’ function – for measuring multiple ingredients in the same bowl. You can just re-set the scale to zero whenever you add a new ingredient.

Easy to read LCD display.

Aquatronic™ function for measuring liquids.

Choice of metric or imperial measures – switch easily between ounces and grams, millilitres and fluid ounces.

A weight maximum of 5kg/11lbs/5l/175 fl oz.

Available in Lime and Raspberry.

The Colour Weigh Kitchen Scale RRP: £20 and available at Independent Cookshops, Steamer Trading, Department Stores and www.salterhousewares.com.

And do not forget the NEW Salter Induction Hob RRP £69.99

 The new Salter Induction Hob gives you precise control making it perfect for all types of cooking.  It gives you six pre-programmed settings which range from simmer through to boil reaching a maximum of 280° and a clear, easy to read digital display with touch controls. 

The Microcrystal glass top gives a premium high quality finish that is very easy to clean and the smooth edge design means no dirt traps. As heat is only generated in the base of the pan itself, the cooking surface remains cool in operation making this a very safe appliance to use. As soon as the pan is removed, the flow of heat stops immediately.  A child proof lock is also added for peace of mind.