Tuesday 17 September 2024

That's Food and Drink: The Real Cheese Project calls upon UK residents to...

That's Food and Drink: The Real Cheese Project calls upon UK residents to...: The Real Cheese Project has announced exciting details of its People’s Cheese 2024: Heritage Edition Final, which will see cheese lovers eve...

Is Revlon the perfect hairdryer for your Christmas gifting? We say yes

Discover Salon-Quality Hair at Home or on the go with the utterly BRAND-NEW Revlon AirFlow Dryer: It's your Hair Game-Changer! (It's literally a game-changer. Read on to learn why.)

Recently Revlon launched the brand new addition to their hair styling family, the AirFlow Control Dryer. 

It carefully combines the very latest in cutting-edge technology with a good, powerful airflow, the Revlon AirFlow Control Dryer reduces your hair's drying time and minimises heat damage, so it's absolutely perfect for a sleek, professional look day after day.

But that’s not all. Because the AirFlow Control Dryer has recently been honoured with the extremely prestigious Red Dot Award.

This international award recognises the AirFlow’s exceptional design and performance, affirming its place as a top contender in the world of hair care.

This small but very mighty dryer allows hair you'd have to pay a small fortune to achieve in a salon anywhere you go, with its incredibly lightweight design packing a mighty punch with its 2000-watts of heating power.

The RRP is a very reasonable £34.99 so will make a very affordable gift this Christmas, even, dare I suggest it, some self-gifting? 

It's available in Tesco and Amazon. 

Incidentally my wife previously owned four different hairdryers, each one for a particular hair drying function. 

She has been able to replace all four of her other hairdryers with one Revlon AirFlow dryer and she states that her hair hasn't felt this good in years! 

So the Revlon AirFlow has been a real and very welcome game-changer for my wife. 

As for me? I don't actually have much hair to dry these days, but I'm really pleased that my wife is so happy with her Revlon AirFlow!

The Temple of Incense has ideal Christmas gifts for you and those you love

If you have people in your lives who you are sourcing Christmas gifts for who are sane and sensible (like us) then we have found some absolutely perfect Christmas gifts for you to purchase for them.

The intriguing story of Temple of Incense began a little over a decade ago in 2012 when two south London sisters, Simi and Sam, decided to launch a modest yet mighty market stall on London's iconic Portobello Road.

What do they sell? Incense. And it's guaranteed to be mindfully handmade using only vegan and cruelty-free ingredients and manufacturing techniques.

They have an absolutely amazing range of incenses available. Including Palo Santo & Eucalyptus Incense Sticks, Rue Leaf Incense Sticks,  Blooming Lovely Incense Gift Set, the new Mindful Incense Collection which includes Amber Incense Sticks, Benzoin Absolute Incense Sticks, Frankincense Incense Sticks, Myrrh Incense Sticks, Rudraksha meditation 108 bead mala and 7 chakra wide wooden incense holder.

To my mind that looks like a super Christmas time gift, especially as it contains frankincense and myrrh. 

You might like to gift their Big Cleanse Gift Box which includes a Sage smudge bundle.

Incidentally my wife was very thrilled to learn that The Temple of Incense sells oudh incense sticks, including their Oudh Incense Sticks, their Bulgarian Rose & Oudh incense sticks, lovingly made with Luxurious Arabian Oudh and Bulgarian Rose, attar style, soaked into halmaddi and woods, wrapped around a bamboo stick.

There are also Nag Champa Gold Incense Sticks, Om Masala Incense Sticks, Oudh & Incense Holder Gift Set, Oudh Extreme incense sticks, Orange Blossom & Lemongrass Incense Sticks, Perky Pandit Incense Sticks, Rose Lovers’ Incense Collection and many, many more besides.

You can peruse their entire range and place your orders at https://www.templeofincense.com.

And if your order is over £80, UK delivery is free.

We'd like to thank Simi, Sam and their amazing family for allowing us to share their magical handmade incense with our readers.

An interesting Christmas gift idea for good health with Starpowa Premium CBD

Wouldn't you like to be able to give a relative or a friend who is in severe pain the Christmas gift of being free from their pain?

Now you can do this with the invaluable assistance of Starpowa Premium CBD 5mg vegan gummies.

They come in an easy to open and easy to hold jar. An important factor to consider when you realise that many people who are looking to use CBD products often suffer from arthritis or rheumatism which can limit their abilities to open jars, etc.

The recommended dose is two gummies per day. 

The gummies are manufactured in Britain so you know that the quality assurance is good. And unlike some CBD gummies these do not clump together in the bottom of the jar! 

The flavour is green apple and they actually taste absolutely delicious, more like a gummie sweet than something designed to make your life better. So please do keep these out of the reach of children as they'll quite naturally mistake these for some sweeties. They are also free of sugar.

What do they do? In general CBD gummies can improve anxiety and symptoms of depression, improve   Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) symptoms and reduced levels of chronic pain, so are ideal for people with rheumatism, arthritis or allied conditions.

So, if you want to give someone you love the gift of being pain free this Christmas visit https://starpowa.com and check out their entire range of products all designed to help people become or stay healthy.

Monday 16 September 2024

That's Food and Drink: 50 Startling Food Facts

That's Food and Drink: 50 Startling Food Facts: 1. Honey never spoils – Archaeologists have found pots of honey in ancient Egyptian tombs that are over 3,000 years old and still perfectly ...

How to Create a Cosy, Homemade Crafty Christmas

As the festive season approaches, many of us feel the urge to make our homes sparkle with holiday cheer. But rather than relying solely on store-bought decorations and gifts, why not embrace the charm and warmth of a homemade crafty Christmas? 

There’s something magical about creating your own Christmas decorations, gifts, and wrapping from scratch. Not only does it allow for a personal touch, but it’s also an eco-friendly and budget-conscious way to celebrate.

Here are some delightful ideas to inspire your crafty Christmas this year:

1. Handmade Christmas Decorations

Nothing beats the feeling of trimming the tree with decorations you've made yourself. This year, try crafting your own ornaments:

Salt Dough Ornaments: Salt dough is incredibly easy to make using just flour, salt, and water. Roll it out, cut it into festive shapes (such as stars, hearts, or trees), and bake until hardened. Once cooled, paint them with acrylic paints, and don’t forget to add some glitter for extra sparkle.

Upcycled Paper Baubles: If you have old magazines, wrapping paper, or even sheet music lying around, you can transform them into beautiful baubles. Simply cut circles from the paper, fold them in half, and glue them together to create a sphere.

Pinecone Decorations: Nature often provides the best materials. Gather pinecones from a walk and give them a festive makeover with a bit of gold or silver spray paint. Add a ribbon, and you have a charming, rustic ornament.

2. Homemade Christmas Cards

Sending out Christmas cards is a cherished tradition, but instead of buying packs from the shops, why not make your own?

Watercolour Cards: A splash of watercolour on thick cardstock can create stunning designs, whether it's a simple wash of colour or a more intricate scene like a snowy village. If painting isn’t your forte, you can use stencils to guide your brushwork.

Stamped Cards: Craft your own stamps using potatoes or rubber carving blocks. Simple designs like stars, trees, or reindeer can be easily carved, dipped in paint, and pressed onto your cards. For a unique look, try layering different colours.

Pressed Flowers and Leaves: For a nature-inspired card, use pressed flowers or leaves. These can be glued onto your card for an elegant, minimalist design.

3. Personalised Gift Wrap

There’s no need to spend money on expensive wrapping paper when you can make your own that’s both eco-friendly and charming.

Brown Paper Wrap: Brown kraft paper offers a simple, rustic look that you can customise with stamps, drawings, or hand-written messages. Tie it up with twine and add a sprig of holly or eucalyptus for an earthy, festive feel.

Fabric Wrapping: Using fabric, like old scarves or tea towels, is a sustainable way to wrap gifts. The Japanese technique of furoshiki involves folding and tying fabric to securely wrap your presents, and the fabric itself becomes part of the gift!

Recycled Paper Wrapping: Reuse old newspapers, maps, or sheet music as wrapping paper. Add a colourful ribbon or hand-drawn doodles to make the package pop.

4. Crafty Homemade Gifts

Creating personalised gifts not only saves money but shows your loved ones how much thought and care you’ve put into their presents.

DIY Candles: With a few basic supplies (wax, wicks, and essential oils), you can create your own candles. Choose festive scents like cinnamon, clove, or pine to really evoke the Christmas spirit. Decorate the jars with ribbon or personalised labels to add a final touch.

Homemade Bath Bombs: For a pampering gift, make your own bath bombs with ingredients like baking soda, citric acid, and essential oils. Add some dried lavender or rose petals for a touch of luxury.

Hand-knitted Scarves or Hats: If you’re handy with knitting needles, this is the perfect time to create a cosy scarf or hat for a loved one. Choose a festive colour or opt for neutral tones to suit their style.

If you are a talented artist or a skilled woodworker you will be able to produce some truly unique and -one-of-a-kind handmade Christmas gifts for the people in your life who you really care about.

5. Festive Food Gifts

Food is often at the heart of Christmas, and homemade edible gifts are always well-received. Some ideas include:

Spiced Biscuits: Christmas biscuits, whether gingerbread or spiced shortbread, make for lovely gifts. Decorate them with icing or wrap them in festive packaging for a delightful homemade treat.

Flavoured Oils and Vinegars: Infused oils or vinegars are simple to make but add a gourmet touch to any kitchen. Add herbs, chillies, or garlic to a good-quality oil or vinegar, and store in a pretty glass bottle.

Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix: Layer cocoa powder, sugar, and mini marshmallows in a jar, tie it with a festive ribbon, and you’ve got a cosy gift perfect for cold winter nights.

6. Get the Family Involved

Making Christmas crafts isn’t just fun for adults; it’s a great activity for children too. Involve your little ones in simple projects like decorating biscuits, making paper snowflakes, or assembling Christmas garlands. Not only will you create lasting memories, but the kids will also feel a special sense of pride when they see their handiwork displayed around the house.

Conclusion: A Christmas to Remember

A homemade crafty Christmas is about embracing creativity, reducing waste, and making the season truly personal. The effort you put into creating these handmade decorations, gifts, and cards will not only fill your home with warmth but also bring joy to those around you. So, gather your supplies, put on your favourite Christmas playlist, and let the crafting begin!

Checkout local retailers and also Home Bargains, The Range, Rymans, Hobbycraft, Poundland and One Beyond for a wide range of DIY Christmas goodies.

Here’s to a cosy, crafty Christmas that’s filled with love, creativity, and a sprinkle of DIY magic!

That's Food and Drink: Flourless Cake and Biscuit Recipes

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