Sponsored video: #GETSQUASHD with Robinsons

I loved the movie Gravity. Well loved it mostly because of George Clooney and after they killed him off (sorry for the spoiler, but I presume most of you would have seen the movie by now)..which was after the first half hour or so, I kinda lost interest. I still sat through the movie, but wishing Mr Clooney would miraculously appear. The movie went on to win 7 Oscars including Best Visual Effects... which brings me to the #GETSQUASHD campaign by Robinsons (yes, the squash people). These sachets of squash are small enough to fit in your pocket but is strong enough to make quite a few glasses of drinks. I'm definitely going to try it out, especially the apple flavour.

Robinsons decided to take things to a different level by challenging the Oscar winning VFX team behind Gravity to GET SQUASHD in zero gravity. Do they succeed in doing so? Well, you will just have to watch the video and find out for yourself. 

The best part however is that you could take on the challenge to GETSQUASHD as well. All you need to do is put a Robinsons SQUASH'D in your pocket, get out there and #GETSQUASHD and send over the proof. You could be the lucky one to win a GoPro Hero 3.

Check out the other entries and upload your own #GETSQUASHD video on their website

This is a sponsored post for Robinsons

Launching People- a celebrity mentorship programme by Samsung

Here's a platform for all you film makers, singers, foodies and photographers. Samsung is joining hands with UK's hottest talent to give people an opportunity of a lifetime. 'Launching People' is a programme that will aim at helping those who want to launch a career in the respective fields. These talented artists along with Samsung, will search high and low for undiscovered talent in the country. They would aim at finding people with extraordinary potential and original ideas. The chosen candidates would then be guided on a one-on-one basis by their inspirational mentor and work towards creating a unique project. The journey from selecting the candidate, to working with the mentors, to finally launching the project will be documented and aired on television later in the year.

The celebrity mentors are:

Idris Elba- award winning actor, producer and DJ for the film category

Singer-songwriter, performer and actress Paloma Faith for the music category

For the food segment, Gizzi Erskine- the leading pop up chef and food writer and

Rankin who is a world famous portrait and fashion photographer mentoring the photography segment.

If you are food lover, budding film maker, musical game changer or photographer, then use this platform to pitch your brilliant ideas to those who are good in what they do, and can mentor you towards a great career. Andy Griffiths, President of Samsung UK and Ireland says, 'Everyone knows Samsung for launching products and every day we’re inspired by people who use those products to achieve amazing things. ‘Launching People’ is all about doing just that – launching people’s potential through technology, whatever their stage in life. We hope to give people with passion, ambition and a hungry mind, a launch pad for their bright ideas and change their lives in a positive way.'  

For us foodies, here's what Gizzi Erskine has to say. She is looking for someone who has passion and knowledge about food, and who is happy to be a little unconventional and break the rules. I'm sure there are readers out there who fit this bill to the T. Even if you don't, there is no harm in giving it a go. Who knows, maybe you'll be the next big thing in the food industry :)

This is how you can get involved:

Make a 2 minute video all about you and your ambition - a perfect chance to show off your passion, personality and your project idea to get the attention of the mentors. Add an image to it along with some copy and you're good to go. Log on to www.launchingpeople.co.uk to find out more, and you can also upload your submission there.

Up for grabs:

There are 2 opportunities for everyone:

1. The mentors will select four candidates with whom they'll work one-to-one. The chosen proteges will spend 2 to 3 weeks together, working closely with their mentors in a house fully furnished with Samsung's latest technology on their personal projects, building towards a grand launch event and making their ideas and ambitions a reality.

2. The public will get to vote for one winner in each category to receive GBP 500 for personal tuition and Samsung technology up to the value of GBP 2000.

Submissions are open till Thursday 6th March, 2014, and the final four will feature in a television series which will air on TV in spring this year

The 'People's Choice' winners, voted for by the public on Facebook, will be announced on Friday 7th March, 2014

There are so many of you out there who are so good in what you do, but have not been given an opportunity to shine in the field. So make use of this fabulous opportunity Samsung has put forth and make yourself proud.

Disclaimer: This is a featured post for Samsung. All views and opinions are my own. Photographs and videos are courtesy of Samsung Launching People.

The Magnetic Touch- Innovative products from Magnet Kitchens, 2014

We all have our dream kitchen. You know....the types that have been pinned innumerable times on Pinterest, seen in magazines and gawked at in stores. I have in my mind every single detail about 'the' kitchen that I would own one day. Since most us do tend to spend a lot of time in the kitchen.. err.. me being food blogger and all, I think it does matter how that little space of yours looks like. I would love a cozy lil kitchen with an aga and old copper pans and such, but in all honesty what i need is a nice modern kitchen- built in, with a small breakfast bar.

I walked into the Magnet Kitchen store in Wigmore street and I could very confidently say I found my dream kitchen (s). From dramatic ones with stylish islands and contemporary hob tops, to the perfect bachelor pad kitchenette, Magnet Kitchens have it all. I couldn't help but wish I was actually in there to pick out a new kitchen design for our home. Sadly, that will have to wait for a few more years and in the mean time I'd just have to take in Magnets new kitchen range which I must say are really impressive. 

Intergra Astral Grey- a smooth, uncluttered design which is both trendy and neutral enough to be paired with all sorts of different colours

Integra Fantasy Oak- a brown hued wonder which just makes you feel like you are in a summer cabin. The textured horizontal lines add to the refreshing design.

Leighton Grey for that country kitchen feel with matt grey finish and solid wood worktops.

Astral Grey with its smart glossy grey surfaces make it look very bachelor-pad-like I feel. Nevertheless, a beautifully put together colour combination can make it look simply fabulous.

What I'd like to however talk about are the new product innovations that Magnet has introduced. Their desire to keep designs fresh and more appealing inspires them to come up with new ideas regularly- ideas that you wont see anywhere else. The Coffee Unit, Illusion Sink and Sound Bar are 3 innovations that have been recently introduced, and I must say, they are a class apart. I was lucky enough to check out some of these products and here is my take on them.

Illusion sink

The illusion sink is perhaps the coolest kitchen feature I've ever seen. As the name suggests, its a sink you can see one minute, but not the next. When you install a sink in your kitchen, you'd like it to be fairly big right? But when the sink is not in use, the space is completely wasted. In such situations, the illusion sink comes in handy. When not in use, simply push down the tap and slide over a cover to create extra worktop space. The cover comes in the exact same colour as your work top (of course you can select your own too) and does look pretty neat when the cover is pulled over.

Sound bar

The slim and stylish sound bar system makes working in the kitchen a bit more fun. Making your favourite seafood paella while jiving to some Spanish salsa music is something we all would like to do in the kitchen...that too without having to worry about the wine spilling over your ipod or laptop. The sound bar blends seamlessly into the wall cabinets and if you link it to any device with Bluetooth capability you wont even know its there..well, until you hear it.

"Magnet provides a flexible full circle service that includes a smart design service, a 15 year cabinet guarantee, free home survey and the unique Smart Care service. The Sound Bar System is a system that can not only be incorporated into Astral Grey kitchen, it can also be fitted with many other Magnet kitchens."

To find out more about Magnet’s range of kitchens or to locate your nearest store, visit www.magnet.co.uk”

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Magnet via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Magnet

Sponsored video: Cinco Jotas Iberian Ham and mini master classes

I first tasted Spanish food about 5 years back, when we landed in the UK. I loved it. The tapas, the Sangria, the paella..all good. It was a completely new experience, trying out these small portioned dishes which you doubt would be enough but would nicely fill you up. Oh and the variety of cured meats, that was quite an eye opener. Chorizo was my favourite out of them all for quite some time. It was only after a while that I kind of got the hang of the other cured meats.

The Cinco Jotas Pure Iberico Breed Acorn Fed Ham falls under this category- a class apart and a masterpiece of its own. Its production began way back in 1879 in Jabugo by experts whose mission was to produce the best quality of meat, a tradition they continue even now so us foodies in the 21st century can enjoy this gorgeous ham. A lot of care goes into the diet and breeding of the Pure Breed Iberico pigs and this results in the worlds best quality ham. Talking about flavours, it is very unique and reminds you of acorns and other nuts. They have a high amount of Omega 9 oleic acid (yes the good kind, if you must know) and contains a whole lot more antioxidants than other hams. 

October 12th was Spain's National Day and to celebrate this in style, Cinco Jotas has released a couple of interesting mini master classes with renowned Michelin three starred chef Pedra Subijana of Akelarre restaurant in San Sabastian. The videos show some of the most interesting ways to enjoy the ham and I sure cant wait to get my hands on some. Do check out these videos, and you'd get an idea about how much fun tapas dishes are- both to make and to eat.

Enjoy!

This is a sponsored post for Cinco Jotas, but all thoughts are my own.

Caribbean Jerk marinated poussin- a post in association with Schwartz

I know.. 3 posts in a week. Pat on the back for me right?

Well, truth be told.. loads of pending posts and me being a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to my blog (OH MY GOD did I just say I was a perfectionist???), I end up taking a looot more time on a post with editing and re-editing and sometimes even re-cooking (is that a word?) and re-shooting. In spite of all this Ro finds grammatical and spelling mistakes in my posts. Seriously..he cant just say the picture is nice, or that dish was so yum , you should make it again or generally something nice about me.. but no, he says my grammar is rubbish and i need to pay someone (Jane, you in particular actually) to edit my post. Of course if i could pay someone to do my job, then I would have done that in the beginning itself wouldn't I? Anyway, who needs compliments from the husband when I have all you lovelies sending me all the encouragement and push needed to carry on blogging. Big hugs :)

Coming to the recipe. I first tried jerk chicken at the Nottinghill Carnival and liked it. Not loved it , but liked. That was around 4 years ago and then it was recently at Manjiri's place that I tried it again. She was enthusiastic enough to make the spice from scratch, but I was just plain lazy and picked up the Schwartz Jamaican Jerk spice blend off the shelves to give it a go. One word..loved it! Makes life so much more easier and it tastes absolutely fine. The recipe I followed was from the Schwartz website and it was a really simple one at that. I jazzed it up a bit and served it with rice and beans (again Caribbean in Nature), but its not really necessary. You can find other chicken recipes from Schwartz here

Caribbean Jerk marinated poussin (Recipe adapted from here)

 

1 small poussin/ chicken- 500 gms

Schwartz Jerk spice blend- 1 1/2 tbsp

Soy sauce- 1 tbsp

Vinegar- 1/2 tsp (optional)

Vegetable oil- 1 1/2 tbsp

Onion- 1 small, roughly chopped

Garlic- 5 pods

Lemon- 1 half

Mix together the spice blend, soy sauce, vinegar and vegetable oil in a bowl.

Check for salt and add if necessary.

Place the chicken and garlic pods in roasting tray and pour over the marinade.

Rub it into all parts of the chicken. Try and get it under the skin if possible.

Keep aside for about 30 minutes. I skipped this part and baked it immediately.

Squeeze the lemon over the chicken and add it into the tray.

Pre-heat over to 200C and bake the chicken for 30 minutes.

Take the chicken out once the 30 minutes is up and baste with the juices from the tray.

Scatter the onion around and on top of the chicken and bake for another 20 to 30 minutes more. If you want, you can turn the chicken up side down. I didn't.

During the last 10 minutes or so, you can change to grill mode and broil it to get a charred effect.

Check if the chicken is done by poking the fleshiest part with a knife or skewer and if juiced run clear you are good to go.

Notes: Feel free to use cut chicken- legs, thighs anything.

The garlic gets roasted nicely and emits some great flavour, but not a must. Same with onions and lemon.

Its not a spicy dish (as opposed to the actual) one, so add some chilli powder if you want it hot.

Here is the recipe for the jerk chicken spice from scratch.

Rice with beans (Recipe adapted from here)

 

Vegetable oil- 1 tbsp

Onion- 1, finely chopped

Green chilli- 1, slit

Garlic- 2 cloves, peeled and finely chopped

Rice- 1 cup, washed and drained

Kidney beans- 200 gms, drained

Coconut milk- 1/2 cup

Chicken stock- 1 1/2 cups

Thyme- 1/2 tsp

Kidney beans- 200 gms, drained

Salt- to taste

Heat oil in a chefs pan and fry the onions till they soften and turn a bit brown.

Add the chilli and garlic and saute for a minute or two.

Throw in the rice and stir it slowly, making sure it is well coated with oil.

Pour in the coconut milk followed by chicken stock, and also stir in the kidney beans.

Bring to a gently boil on high heat. You can check for salt at this point and add if required.

Then reduce heat to low, put on the lid and let it cook for about 10 to 12 minutes or till all the liquid has been absorbed.

Open the lid and sprinkle thyme.

Keep closed for another 5 minutes after which you can fluff with a fork and serve immediately.

Notes: The coconut milk I used was from powdered coconut and I may have diluted it too much, the taste of coconut was not obvious at all. Do use a good can of coconut milk for this recipe.

Replace kidney beans with gungo peas or black eyed peas.

This is a post in association with Schwartz

Sponsored video: Samsung's Monkey Thief

I saw the above video and thought it was absolutely adorable. I mean I can soooo understand the whole 'monkey thief' campaign because during my short stint in Bangalore right after college, the apartment where I was staying had a temple next to it with a huge banyan tree and so so many monkeys (I dont know what their attraction to the place was though) and these cheeky things would just come through the kitchen windows and steal food and sometimes even spoons and the like. Needless to say I was super scared to walk out of the apartment if I could spot any monkeys monkeying around :)

This video reminded me so much of those days, and I couldn't help smiling while watching the same. Coming to which, the video describes how Samsung's new refrigerator is their target. The refrigerator, which offers a lot of new features, ends up being on their radar, that too after exploring another refrigerator that doesn't fit their criteria. 

One of the most important features of a refrigerator is space utilisation, at least according to me. This one fits the description perfectly by eliminating all dead space- large items can be put in the drawer and a wider and deeper door helps in accommodating big and tall bottles. The new bottom mounted feature has the superior digital inverter technology which means there is no unnecessary energy consumption and offers better cooling performances. Finally, the refrigerator also ensures optimal freshness which means we all get to enjoy a healthy eating style. The CoolSelect zone allows temperature control on specific compartments, the MoistFresh zone controls air circulation, maintaining the humidity needed for fruits and vegetables and the No Frost technology prevents ice build up and prevents water drop

formation which can harm the refrigerator. 

These monkeys know what they are looking for and finds its all in the Samsung refrigerator. They raid the fridge and sneak off, only to leave the owner with an empty fridge. Easy in, easy out! that sums it all.

To know more about the refrigerator and its features, check out their newsroom, website and also follow Samsung on Youtube

This is a sponsored post for Samsung

Sponsored video: Tropical Sun's Free Vending Machine

With snow expected in most parts of the country this week, we are all getting ready to braze the minus degree temperatures and the ghastly winds. As much as I love snow, the feeling soon dies by day two when it turns to slush and walking on ice becomes a feat. With the gloom over our heads, the least we can do is enjoy this video by Tropical Sun, with the hope of better things to come. The sun, the sand, the sea..ah summer, you are so so far away aren't you?

Anyway, to not let the weather dampen your spirits, take a look at this interesting video set in the Caribbean. The team at Tropical Sun (aptly called Ray) have introduced a live wending machine which lets you choose free samples from their range of products and loads of free discount coupons which can be redeemed at various retailers. Some meat seasoning, jerk seasoning, Barbecue sauce etc. can certainly do wonders to lift your spirits I'm sure.

Watch the video to see how the 'Rays' get the vending machine stocked up. It sure is fun!

http://www.tropicalsunfoods-vendingmachine.com/

Click on the link to view the free vending machine and claim some of those goodies.

I could just spend my day watching the live web cam with a Pina Colada in my hands and pretend I was on the beach..sigh! :)

This is a sponsored post

Sponsored video: Blacksticks Blue Cheese

We love cheese. Period. 

When we were in India, the only cheese we used to get were the processed ones, which in all honesty was no where near the real 'cheese.' Since that was the only option, we thoroughly savoured it and didn't complain one bit about it not being 'the ultimate cheese.' I even remember buying a very expensive block of cheese from a supermarket back home, grating it on pizza and patiently waiting for it to melt. The pizza was done, but the cheese was rock hard and wouldn't even budge. Yes! that basically sums up our cheese experience in India. I am sure things have changed a bit in the big metros, and it is only after experiencing the varieties of cheese abroad that you realise what you were missing out on. Blue cheese was one of the cheeses introduced to us after we got to the UK, and we took a liking to it. 

If you are looking to do a cheese platter this Christmas then make sure you include the Blacksticks Blue Cheese- an exciting British Blue cheese created by hand at the Butlers Farmhouse Cheese dairy in Inglewhite, Lancashire. With three generations of cheese making behind the family, and loads of awards to their credit, the Butlers' aim at making their cheese to a very high standard in every possible way. Added to their range of high quality farmhouse cheeses is the Blacksticks Blue cheese, a soft, blue veined cheese with a creamy, smooth and tangy taste. The distinct amber colour makes the cheese stand out on any cheese platter, which is more than enough reason to have it on you Christmas menu this year. You can also choose from Blacksticks Creamy, Blacksticks Silk and Blacksticks Velvet, which are some of the other cheeses in their range.

From including the cheese in a variety of recipes, to just enjoying it with a cracker on the side, your options are endless. After all, celebrity chefs like Simon Rimmer, Nigel Howarth and Glynn Purnell can never be wrong with their choice. So pick one up for your party this year and you wont be disappointed. In the mean time, enjoy this fun video that sums up the cheese beautifully.

The cheese is available at most of the leading supermarkets and online as well. Check out their innovative website for more details, and also follow them on Facebook and Twitter for updates. 

This is a sponsored post by Blacksticks Blue Cheese.

Sponsored video: The Truffle Kerfuffle

There are days when I just dont even want to think about cooking, leave alone actually do it and on those rare occasions, I actually do wish I had some other option other than the ready microwave meals or take away. Scouting around on the internet looking for easy recipes when you are short of time, or even worse..hungry, is not a great idea. First of all, the numerous food pics make you hungry and second, you have waaay too many ideas put in front of you, you end up being more confused and frustrated.

But not to worry people...Scratch Meals comes to your rescue with their wonderful, fresh meals which can all be cooked in the time it takes to heat a ready meal. And what's even better, they are all collaborated by Michel Roux Snr, arguably the finest chef in the world. So you head over to Sainburys on your way back from work, take your pick from Chicken Tikka Masala, Chorizo Paella (I feel stupid thinking I have slaved over this for hours in the past), Chicken Thai Green Curry, Noodle Laksa and Tagliatelle Pistachio Pesto, get home, follow instructions, and in under 8 minutes you have your meal ready.

But there seems to a be slight problem now. Michel Roux has lost a very expensive (30K! gasp!) truffle and a reward is being given to anyone who finds it. It is known to have fallen into Scratch Meal packs and anyone who finds it could win £1 off their next meal and also stand a chance at winning the £10,000 reward for its safe return. For more information on the hunt and clues regarding the missing truffle follow Scratch on Facebook and Twitter.

A heated discussion with Michel's sous chef Richard over a video call has been recorded the day after the truffle went missing. Check it out if you want to get some clues regarding the same.

PS: Apparently pigs are better at finding truffles than dogs. Just a hint ;)

The post has been sponsored by Scratch Meals

Afternoon tea with Champagne at the Corus Hyde Park

Some time around last week we turned 7 (OK fine, I don't know the exact date, but that's besides the point really). Yes! 7 years since we met each other in a small cafe in Chennai. Me, never wanting to get married, He, enthusiastic about getting married. Poles apart on a lot of things, but on the same page for a few other. Yet! we somehow have managed to make it this far. Its been a rough 7 years with me Ro would say, but I would shrug and say that's marriage. I think Ro's good husband material :)

After so long, we don't even bother wishing each other remembering 'petty' occasions like this. Although, the die hard romantic in me, sometimes do wish it wasn't so. I had been wanting to do an Afternoon Tea session for a long time and when an opportunity came up, I grabbed it thinking we will have a nice afternoon out together. But Ro of course had better things to do than spend an afternoon having 'tea' with me, and so had to change plans. Determined to not dampen my spirits, I grabbed a good ol' girlfriend of mine and headed out into Central London for a fun afternoon out. And boy, am I glad I did, because believe it or not, a day out with a girl friend can sometimes prove to be so much more therapeutic than a romantic afternoon out with the husband :)

Afternoon Tea is such a big deal here its not funny. Some hotels like The Ritz and Inter Continental are soooo known for their Afternoon Tea deals, you have to book a table waaay in advance. Although that was the kind of afternoon tea I had in mind, this deal was good enough for me, and its Groupon that I have to thank for this fabulous offer. From hair cuts to restaurant deals to cooking classes to mini breaks I have done it all. In the initial days after signing up, it used to be a struggle to not pick up the amazing voucher deals.  Now I have a grip on myself and although I scout the website frequently, its only when I absolutely need something do I pick it up. The Afternoon Tea with Champagne for two was too good a deal to pass and I am glad I picked it, because it was so worth it.

 

Corus Hyde Park is located bang opposite the park (as the name suggests) and is a 3 min walk from Lancaster Gate tube station. We headed straight to Olio's Brasserie, just off the reception area, and waited a good 5 minutes for someone to come greet us (not a good start, if you ask me). So I asked at the reception and was politely told someone would be with me soon. No luck again but then I spotted a stewardess at the counter and she guided us to our table. When we were kept waiting, I thought we would be placed somewhere near the stairs or something, but was pleasantly surprised to be seated right next to the huge windows, with good views of the autumn colours of Hyde park (not to mention enough lighting for my pictures, although it was such a gloomy and rainy afternoon, they haven't turned out that great).

We were dutifully given our menu's and asked to pick the tea of choice. There were quite a few interesting options- from the traditional blends like Winchester Breakfast, Darjeeling and Earl Grey to the more contemporary ones like Rooibos orange and eucalyptus, Milk oolong and if that's not fancy enough for you, then try the Lavender hibiscus, a Blooming Tea, which literally does the same in your tea cup. We were not too adventurous with this and so settled for the Winchester breakfast and Classic Chai. Both were brought to the table promptly and we enjoyed the steaming cups of tea while it was pouring cats and gods outside. Oh and we also had to figure out how to handle the two flutes of Baron de Marc Gobillard, Brut Champagne in between sips of tea. Needless to say, the Champagne was happily welcomed, and the tea left to go cold in the tea pots.

 

Then came the exciting bit, the array of tarts, cakes, scones and sandwiches. Arranged in traditional 3-tiered plates, they were a pretty sight. Taste-wise, however, we were a tad bit disappointed. The cupcakes were too dry and the brownie (I think it was a brownie) was anything but moist. The carrot cake was good, but it was not with cream cheese, but more like butter cream. The tartlets were teeny tiny pastry cups filled with something like butter cream with a blackberry perched on one and a raspberry on another. I don't think they can technically be called fruit tarts, but they were pretty cute and we liked it. That said, the scones were to die for and we smothered ours with clotted cream and jam and had a blast getting some extra calories into our bodies. The sandwiches were also pretty good, with the cucumber and cream cheese being my favourite and the ham and cheese a close second. The macarons also did their job of being all good looking with the perfect feet and stuff and the flavours- orange and coffee- were not disappointing either. 

Our tea session stretched on for about 2 hours, because you just cannot stuff everything into your mouth at one go (and also because we weren't shooed out of the restaurant) and its something you really need to enjoy at a slow pace. So the next time you are in London, or anywhere in UK, make sure you treat yourself to a good English Afternoon Tea session. Also, don't forget to check out Groupon for some good deals in your area and trust me, its a decision you wont regret.

Thanks to Groupon for a gift voucher with which I picked up this deal.

Sponsored video: Black & Decker steam mop

Black & Decker is a brand known to most of us. In fact my first kitchen gadget was a B&D chopper my mom handed down to me after we moved into our first home as a newly married couple. The fact that I never used it much (thanks to the awesomest cook we had who preferred to chop, slice, blend the traditional way) is not to be highlighted though.

The latest addition to their home products range is the Steam Mop, a swanky looking gadget that you would want the moment you lay your eyes on it. I am not a big fan of vacuuming the house but when it comes to mopping, I actually don't have a problem. I don't find it therapeutic, but it does give a sense of achievement to see those wooden floors of mine gleaming.

Its for people like me, that the steam mop comes as a saving grace. The mop boasts killing 99.9% of germs and bacteria and is natural in its cleaning process, which means it needs only tap water to do the job, not to mention the fact that it is both family and eco- friendly. All you need to do is fill up its tank with water, plug in and go. The super heated steam kills any germs or bacteria on your floor and also loosens dirt and grease in seconds. The mop is convenient to use, with the 'Auto Select' technology ensuring the right amount of steam released, of course depending on the floor type selected (hardwood, laminate, marble, tiles etc.). The 500ml easy-fill water tank provides 22 to 40 minutes of cleaning time and is perfect for all those of you who want sparkling clean floors without the hassle of a cloth mop and bucket of water.

Go on, put it on your wish list for Christmas. I know I want one for sure. If the husband is reading this...hint hint!

To get a better idea of how the Steam Mop works, check out this video.

Sponsored video: Method cleaning products

In our household there is a deal. If one of us does the cooking, then the other does the cleaning. Most of the time I am in charge of cooking and the other half takes care of cleaning. I must say its a convenient arrangement because I make a hell of a lot of mess while cooking and the husband bears the brunt of it all. Needless to say, its an on going feud at home regarding this and we never ever come to a conclusion.

We are also constantly on the look out for new products and better ways to ease up this process and that's where Method comes into play. I was thoroughly interested in finding out more about their range of cleaning products and when I did, it was a complete eye opener. Method is a brand that makes non-toxic products for people who want to go about the entire cleaning process in a greener, better way. They have a wide variety of products ranging from non-toxic surface cleaners to bathroom cleaners (like tub scrub and flushable wipes), laundry detergents, hand care gels in various fragrances and even the speciality range which comprises of cleaners and wipes for leather, wood, granite and marble and floor. Yup, so many choices!

There's more good news. Method is also a brand that prides itself in striving for sustainability. Going green is something they value and so their aim is to reduce carbon footprint as much as possible, both for the products as well as the company itself. They do not perform any animal testing and has been certified by PETA as a vegan and cruelty free company. The products are also absolutely fine to be used around children, as they do not contain any hazardous ingredients.

Not convinced yet?? Then go on and watch this fun video and be inspired to move against dirty. That's my motto henceforth.

The post has been sponsored by Method cleaning products.

Sponsored video: Rekorderlig Cider, Where's your Swedish Side?

I was introduced to this amazing drink called cider about 4 years back when we had just relocated to UK and was invited to a friends place for a BBQ. I am not so much of a beer person and so I was a bit apprehensive on trying out cider. But once I did, I knew I had found a favourite drink. So that whole year, we were on a major cider trip, buying cans by the truck loads, trying different brands and even making a visit to a cider farm to see how it was pressed...yes that's how obsessed I was, or rather we were that year.

Then we forgot all about it, discovered other drinks and life went on, Till about a couple of months back when we were at a pub and my cider instincts picked up. I asked for cider and the guy behind the bar read out the various brands available and I picked up the name Rekorderlig since I had not heard of it before. I said I'll have that and then he blurts out the various flavours available.

Now before going further, I must say I am a sucker for anything with flavour options available. The fact that there are options is a total winner for me. So there I was put forth with flavours like wild berries, mango and raspberry (which is my current fav!), strawberry and lime, orange and ginger, apple and blackcurrant and of course the basic flavours- apple and pear. Without showing that I was intimidated by the flavours available, I chose the strawberry and lime and was a happy girl.

Came back home and did my research and here's what I found. Rekorderlig is a Swedish cider from Vimmerby and it translates to being 'dependable' or 'reliable'. Made from pear and apple wine of excellent quality and the purest of spring water, the brand has become a much loved cider of many. Check out the video below, take a sip of this fruity cider and I'm sure you will find your Swedish side. I sure have found mine (over and over again!).

If you want to know more about Rekorderlig cider you can check out their website, and to get updates and such follow them on Facebook, Twitter or even subscribe to their Youtube channel here.

Article sponsored by Rekorderlig

E.ON Innovation

   

I was never the type who used to care too much about saving energy, wastage, etc etc. until I started running a home on my own. I then realised that there were umpteen ways in which you could save energy at home, and not just sourcing the food aspect alone, but with storing, cooking and even cleaning to be precise. So when E.ON announced the launch of an interesting project called the E.ON Innovation- an online community aiming at inspiring the general public (of course UK based) to come up with brilliant ideas to design the next big energy saving product or service- I decided it was high time I sat down and thought about ways to practise this at home.

Linked to the Channel 4 series 'Home of the Future', E.ON features five different challenges in the areas of rest, work, play, food and wellbeing, wherein you can put on your thinking caps and come up with innovative ideas that may make you the next big thing in the world of inventions, or even better, the best submission from each of these themes will win a home energy make over worth up to GBP 2000. If thats not enough, a 'Shining Star' winner will be selected, in which case the prize deal is increased to a home energy make over worth up to GBP 10,000.

This week the challenge is on the theme of food, and along with encouraging all of you to come up with ways to save energy with regard to storing, preparing and cooking food, I thought I'd ring up a few myself:

1. Use the kettle to boil water, and not use the hob top (which takes more time). Also, boiling the exact amount of water required and not huge quantities, which will go to waste and use up more energy.

2. Try and use the microwave as much as possible for reheating food, as opposed to using the oven or hob which requires a 10 minute pre heating time and then a minimum of at least 10 to 15 minutes to heat the food. A tip to save energy in case you need to use the oven, is to turn it off 10 minutes prior to the actual time as the oven will retain enough heat to do the job effectively. Same goes for a hob as well.

3. The pressure cooker, I think, is one of the best kitchen utensils I have ever owned. It not only does the job in half the time, but also saves loads of energy. If you dont have one, just get one without thinking twice. Trust me, its a good investment

4. You are usually given different ring options for cooking on the hob top, try and use the ring that matches your vessel and not a smaller one, in which case you are wasting energy.

5. Boiling rice, pasta, lentils etc take a whole lot of time. So if possible, make large chunks of this ahead and store in the refrigerator or freezer for later use. I know for a fact that rice and lentils stay in the freezer for week without any problem.

6. When you buy grocery, check the expiry date and think if you will be able to utilize it by the use-by date and wont have to waste it.

There are lots of ways in which you can actually save energy at home when it comes to food. I now make a conscious effort to do all this and more, and I hope you do too.

If you have a brilliant idea you want to put forth, then log on to www.eon-innovation.com and submit them there, before the 9th of April and be part of the project by following E.ON on Twitter @talkingenergy and keep a watch out for the hashtag #eoninno.

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Spend Vouchers, Get Rewards!

Before we moved to London, about 3 years back, we were in this University town called Nottingham and I absolutely loved the initial year we spent there. Needless to say, after you get a taste of London, you do not want to settle anywhere else. The husband dove into work soon after, leaving me to roam around the city centre aimlessly day in and out. I figured out the way to the mall the very next day and lucky for me, found an apartment a stones throw away. Sooner or later I knew I had to settle down and start cooking and on one of my mall exploration trips i walked into this massive grocery store Tesco. I spotted a cheesecake the moment I walked in and it was love at first sight. OK I'm exaggerating, but seriously, I can count on my hands how many times I have not walked in there in the 1 year we were in Nottingham. I must also add that we lived on the ready meals Tesco had to offer that entire year. They were so so good, even now I spot a Tesco express (a smaller version) somewhere and pick up a cheesy lasagna or bake to reminisce those good ol days. I really have Tesco to thank for the yummy meals we used to devour into.

The best part about shopping regularly at Tesco is their Clubcard. Its a completely free service wherein you can keep collecting points on almost anything you buy from Tesco, both in-store and online, and these points over time get converted into vouchers. For every 150 points collected, you get a voucher worth GBP 1.50 and, if that's not enough, you also get coupons that give you discounts and extra point options which you can redeem when you shop with Tesco. The more points you collect, the more vouchers and benefits you get back. Sounds good? Wait till you hear the rest.

These vouchers that you keep getting along with your Clubcard statements can be used in a number of ways. Some of the options are, spending them on groceries at Tesco stores and online, at their gas filling stations, Tesco direct, Tesco opticians, Mobile phones, Travel insurance and so on. All you need to do is present the voucher when you check out and the relevant value will be deducted from the shopping list. We used to thoroughly make use of  both the discount coupons as well as the Clubcard vouchers, and even now whenever I shop at Tesco, I scan my Clubcard (a permanent extension to my key chain) in the hope of getting all these perks.

But wait, it just keeps getting better. If you dont want to use your vouchers on Tesco, you can spend them on Clubcard Rewards. For every 5 pound Clubcard voucher you hold, you can get up to 20 pounds in Clubcard Rewards. So you can use them on anything- from days out with the family to a romantic dinner for two, club memberships, a holiday for the family, flight tickets, car rentals, books, cinema tickets- really, the options are endless. I myself have used it on various occassions, like restaurants and even entry tickets to amusement parks. keep a constant look out for new deals as Tesco keeps changing them on and off. Also, if you find something great, then dont think twice, just grab it immediately as vouchers may be limited for some services.

Applying for a Clubcard is also pretty straightforward. All you need to do is register online, by post or by phone, and your card will be home in a couple of days, after which you can keep swiping it each time you shop with Tesco and immediately reap benefits. For more details, log on to the Clubcard page which ill provide you with all the desired information.

This is Tesco's way of saying thank you, so why not accept it with a smiling face and open arms :)

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