The Best Family Holidays to Book NowRead More Whether you’re trying to think of things to do in the next half term or just dreaming of a break, we’ve partnered with TUI to bring you some of the… Post author By The Mum Club Post date 21 April 2023 No Comments on The Best Family Holidays to Book Now The Best Family Holidays to Book Now Whether you’re trying to think of things to do in the next half term or just dreaming of a break, we’ve partnered with TUI to bring you some of the best places to book right now. The Best Place for a City Break Copenhagen Travelling to cities can sometimes feel far from relaxing, but not when you’re in Copenhagen. Not only is it one of the coolest places we’ve been to (pre-kids). But it’s also made for families. Whether you’re visiting the famous Tivoli theme park, tasting great food in the market or experiencing one of the 125 public playgrounds and activities, we’re more than sure you’lll have a great time. Book Now Our TUI pick: Tivoli Hotel Bang smack in the centre. This hotel has everything you need for a successful family break. Not only does the hotel cater for kids with play areas, themed rooms and a playground. But it’s also right next to the Tivoli theme park, and one of its restaurants is Sticks’n’Sushi, so you don’t have to compromise on good food just because your kids are in tow. What to Pack for Copenhagen Butterfly Seat Stroller Bugaboo £95 Gren Check Faux Fur Coat Warehouse £55 (Sale) Backpack Fjallraven Kanken £95 Fleece Jacket Arket £35 Forum Infant Trainers Adidas £38 Rib-Knit Hat H&M £4.99 The Best Place to Soak Up the Sun The Moroccan Coast Fed up of hearing that the Canary Islands are the only place to go for winter sun? Why not try Morocco? Not only is the flight about 2-3 hours, but it’s also very reasonable, and you get a lot for your buck. The coast is becoming hugely popular with families and many areas have surf and yoga chilled-out vibes. Areas like Tagazout (a small fishing village close to Agadir) not only have great hangouts, a beautiful coastline, and things to do. But they’re up and coming, so a lot of the resorts are new and have huge modern facilities created for kids. Book Now Our TUI Pick: Paradis Plage Resort This hotel is constantly featured on lists of the best place to stay on the Moroccan coast. Not only is the setting stunning, but it also has a spa, a surf school, a beachfront yoga studio, an outdoor cinema and beautiful decor and rooms. And if you’re taking the children, there are tons of activities for them too! Plus, there’s also a kids club and babysitting can be arranged. What to Pack for Morocco Silicone Multi-Purpose Kitchen Storage Bag Stasher £19.01 Square Neck Swimsuit Hunza G £155 Blackout Blind Gro £32 (Sale) Blush Mix/Lion Mix Hat Wynken £22.50 (Sale) Roll On Sun Cream Nivea £9.79 Boys Turtle Peach & Navy Swim Shorts Galago Joe £35 The Best Place to Ski with Kids Crystal Ski Holidays Part of TUI, Crystal Ski Holidays offers customers everything they need to ski in one convenient package, making skiing with children seem feasible, as they take care of everything. From lift passes and equipment hire, to ski schools and kids’ clubs. They even have a select number of resorts that offer Pepi Penguin nurseries that care for little ones as young as 6-months. So what might seem like a logistical nightmare to do with young children, could actually be quite fun! Apres ski and spa, here we come! Find Out More Our Crystal Pick: La Plagne Ski Holidays Not only is the resort right next to the slopes, but it also has a spa and is continuously voted as one of the best places for families to ski. Some activities nearby include bowling, a cinema, an ice cave, ice skating, skidoos and even bobsleighs. The resort also has the Beanie Bear club for children aged 3-8 and the Pepi Penguin nursery for 6 months – 4 years. Meaning you can enjoy some time on your own too! What to Pack for a Family Ski Holiday Detachable-Sleeve Down Ski Jacket H&M £149.99 Zeitgeist Baby Carrier Tweed Artipoppe £347 Fleece Hoodie Arket £69 Icon Snow Boots Moon Moot Kids £140 White Noise machine Marpac £34.95 Kids Reversable Ski Fleece Snood Zara £10.99 3 Reasons Why We Love TUI Kids go free TUI offer thousands of free kids places, even in the summer holidays! They have a handy free kids’ place finder, to help customers find hotels with free kids’ places available. Find out more here Single parents pay less If you’re after a holiday deal for one, or you’re a single adult travelling with children, you can save £100 on holidays departing between now and October. £100 on holidays departing between 1st November 2022 and 30th April 2023 and £150 on holidays departing between 1st May – 31st October 2023. Find out more here They make finding a luxury family holiday easy TUI’s Sensatori collection features hotels that cater for adults needs as much as kids. With luxury accommodation and dining, adult-only zones and indulgent experiences – you’ll come away feeling like you actually had a holiday. Find out more here CREATED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TUI All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however, we may make a commission on some products.
5 Family Holiday Destinations You Might Not Have Thought OfRead More Photo: @meandbeau_travels After a bit more culture than a flume decorated all-inclusive? But think it would be impossible to do with kids? From safari to skiing, family travel expert @tinytravelship says your… Post author By The Mum Club Post date 21 April 2023 No Comments on 5 Family Holiday Destinations You Might Not Have Thought Of 5 Family Holiday Destinations You Might Not Have Thought Of Photo: @meandbeau_travels After a bit more culture than a flume decorated all-inclusive? But think it would be impossible to do with kids? From safari to skiing, family travel expert @tinytravelship says your love of travel doesn’t need to be sacrificed when you have children. Here are their favourite destinations to explore: Complimentary childcare and stunning scenery Austria The hills are alive with the sound of happy parents in Austria, Europe’s crowning glory for sumptuous spa hotels with complimentary childcare. Offering an elevated spin on the traditional family-friendly holiday, Kinderhotels are a group of baby-centred all-inclusive hotels, where plastic fantastic kids’ clubs are replaced with sustainable style-led children’s play areas, and beige buffets are exchanged for gourmet 5-course menus. The best place to stay in Austria with kids Moar Gut is an Alpine show stealer set in the mountains with (almost) round-the-clock complimentary childcare. From newborn to teenager, there is something for kids of all ages. FREE childcare starts from 4 weeks old, and all you need to pack for your little ones is their clothes – everything from blackout blinds, toiletries and baby monitors are provided. There’s even a Bugaboo pram park where you can choose your wheels for your stay. At the wellness centre (yes, there’s a spa), there’s a dedicated baby pool, a kids’ sauna, and a very cool water slide. Find out more Things to do with kids in Austria In summer, the colourful meadows of the mountains are covered in glistening sunlight. From hiking to horse riding, it’s a fabulous place that the whole family will enjoy. In winter, there are obvious snowy activities, and at Moar Gut, you can organise ski lessons for little ones as young as 2. There’s also a small animal farm on site to keep them entertained. Where safari and wine tasting is made possible South Africa Spectacular scenery, safaris, world-class wine, beautiful beaches, AND the same time zone as the UK – so no jet lag! South Africa is fantastic for families. The best place to stay in South Africa with kids There’s no need to cross a safari off your bucket list until your kids are older. Melozhori is a luxurious lodge in the Western Cape (a mere two-hour drive from Cape Town) that’s a great family-friendly introduction to safari. You can embark on private game drives at your leisure and around children’s naps. Find out more Things to do in South Africa with Kids A road trip through the Cape Winelands with a toddler is much more achievable (and enjoyable) than it might sound. Many vineyards provide picnic hampers for tiny travellers, have aesthetically pleasing playgrounds and offer mini-tasting flights of juice. For lovers of good food and wine, it’s hard to beat Franschhoek, the country’s culinary capital. Within walking distance of the charming high street, home to a host of Michelin-star restaurants and wine bars is La Cotte Farm – a chic self-catering stay with a seriously applaudable, affordable price tag. Relaxed hazy days in the sun Provence With plenty of small towns full of streets made for strolling, luscious vineyards and gorgeous gorges, a holiday to France’s sun-kissed Provence is guaranteed fun for the whole family. The best place to stay in Provence with kids A former Tuscan-style farm and winery has been transformed into eight tres chic (and affordable) self-catering apartments at Le Mas Des Oules. Contemporary decor and traditional farmhouse fixtures complement each other inside, where you can choose between 2-5 bed houses. Families with babies will love House Clematis, thanks to its sizeable wisteria-covered terrace and tub in the bathroom. Outside the serene stone walls, you’ll find a fenced pool, giant chess board, petanque court and plenty of (deliciously scented) outdoor space. A baker visits every day with freshly made baguettes, croissants and pain au chocolat – c’est délicieux Find out more Things to do in Provence with kids The nearby beaches are home to shallow waters, bluer than blue hues secluded spots. Long lazy days can be spent at picture-perfect villages, browsing and sampling their weekly food and flea markets. Culture vultures will want to check out Fondation Vasarely – a gallery outside of Aix whose exterior looks like a giant set of dominoes and interior is full of larger-than-life optical illusions. A hidden gem with unspoilt adventure Montenegro Boasting beautiful beaches with crystal clear waters, rugged tree-cloaked mountains & medieval towns, it’s no wonder Montenegro is known as ‘the hidden gem of the Adriatic Sea’ and the perfect place for an unspoilt adventure for mamas and minis alike. Head to the coast for a tiny traveller-approved road trip (i.e., minimum drive time, maximum reward). The best place to stay with kids in Montenegro Once a baroque palace and now a boutique hotel, Palazzo Radomiri makes an unbeatable base. Teeming with history, the waterfront hotel promises sweeping bay views from all ten rooms. As parents, we know location is key when choosing a holiday home from home. Palazzo Rodomiri is handily located an easy breezy 20-minute drive from the airport and a mere 5-minute drive to the walled old town of Kotor – full of restaurants, museums and streets waiting to be wandered. Closer to home, older kids will love swimming, kayaking and diving straight into the aquamarine sea directly in front of the hotel. Find out more Things to do in Montenegro with kids In Kotor, climb the fortress walls for awe-inspiring panoramas, and enjoy lazy lunches in one of the Old Town’s countless courtyards – relaxing is always on the menu in this car-free zone. Perast promises picture-perfect boat trips and is dotted with shallow, secluded bays built for paddling. With designer boutiques, superyachts & seafront cocktail bars, Tivat serves up a slice of luxury for mamas, without scrimping on entertainment for tiny travellers, including submarines to explore at The Maritime Heritage Museum. A chilled out city break for culture seekers Amsterdam Whilst Amsterdam’s red-light district and coffee shops might not immediately spring to mind as the perfect family-friendly city break, the charming cobblestone streets of the Dutch capital really do tick all our parent-pleasing boxes. With miles upon miles of walkable canals, restaurants built for Instagram feeds, oodles of green space, and not to mention the direct train from London, Amsterdam is a city break that has it all for mamas and minis alike. The best place to stay in Amsterdam with kids For the conveniences of an apartment combined with the design-led decor of a boutique hotel, check into Hotel Boat and Co. The rooms are spacious (by city hotel standards) and include mini kitchenettes, giving self-catering flexibility. There’s a restaurant downstairs (with more than enough highchairs), and babysitters can be arranged if you fancy an adult-only date night. Find out more Tiny Travelship Tiny Travelship is THE community for stylish family travel. Featuring a curated collection of handpicked holidays that prove parents don’t need to sacrifice their taste for their toddlers. Each and every recommendation is mama inspected and selected, so you know you can 100% trust them. Find out more here
Let’s Talk About PilesRead More After you have a baby it’s hard to find a topic that’s off-limits when you’re chatting to another mum. But we have to be preeetty close to someone to admit… Post author By The Mum Club Post date 21 April 2023 No Comments on Let’s Talk About Piles Let’s Talk About Piles And no, we don’t mean the laundry… After you have a baby it’s hard to find a topic that’s off-limits when you’re chatting to another mum. But we have to be preeetty close to someone to admit we’ve got grape issues down below. However, seeing as one-quarter of the adult UK population will have haemorrhoids in their lifetime (and mums probably take up a lot of those numbers!) it really shouldn’t be that way. Thankfully it’s becoming less of a taboo and celebrities and influencers like Millie Mackintosh and Ashley James are opening up about their own experiences and helping to normalise this very normal health condition. Still feeling self-conscious or concerned? We spoke to women’s health experts Kari Health to answer some of the main questions you might have about haemorrhoids. Is it Normal to Get Haemorrhoids During Pregnancy and After Birth? “Yes, absolutely!” Says Kari Health. “Pregnancy can be a cause as it places increased pressure on your pelvic blood vessels, causing them to enlarge.” Other factors can be: 1. Constipation and straining on the toilet 2. Being overweight or obese 3. Age – as you get older, your body’s supporting tissues get weaker, increasing your risk 4. Having a family history of haemorrhoids 5. Regularly lifting heavy objects 6. Chronic diarrhoea 7. A persistent cough or repeated vomiting 8. Sitting down for long periods of time How Long Do Piles Last After Birth? “Small post-partum haemorrhoids usually decrease in size dramatically 1-6 months post-birth” says Kari Health. “For severe haemorrhoids, you will need to go to your GP or speak to your midwife, especially if they are painful, bleed, or not decreasing in size post-birth.” How Long Will it Take for My Tummy to Shrink After Birth What Are the Different Types of Piles? Kari Health say “haemorrhoids are graded according to how much they protrude.” First-degree piles may bleed but don’t come out of your anus. Second-degree piles come out of your anus when you have a poo but go back inside on their own afterwards. Third-degree piles come out of your anus and only go back inside if you physically push them back in. Fourth-degree piles always hang down from your anus, and you can’t push them back in. They can become very swollen and painful if the blood inside them clots. Does Stress or Tiredness Make Piles Worse? Millie Mackintosh openly chatted on her podcast Mumlemmas about how she experienced a flare-up at her friend Binky’s wedding. She revealed they get worse if she’s stressed or tired. But is this true? Kari Health says, “Stress and tiredness haven’t been proven to cause flare-ups, but if you’re under pressure or exhausted, you might not be drinking enough water or maintaining a good fibre rich diet and doing these things can improve your condition.” Listen to: Dirty protests, befriending strangers at weddings, telling secrets at kids birthday parties! Can You Have a Permanent Haemorrhoid? “Yes”, says Kari Health. “And you should probably get it checked out unless you want to keep it permanently. A-symptomatic and A-problematic haemorrhoids could be lived with but don’t self-diagnose. Always get them checked by your GP so you can discuss treatment options – which may include leaving them alone.” Are My Haemorrhoids Normal? As previously explained, there are different grades but if you’ve got external haemorrhoids Kari Health say, “You are likely to experience several uncomfortable symptoms like anal itching, feeling several lumps or bumps on the anal cushions and possibly pain and discomfort when sitting down. If the haemorrhoids are outside the body, you are more likely to notice them and seek treatment quickly. It’s essential to get checked out by a doctor because some symptoms of haemorrhoids could also point to other health concerns.” What is a Haemorrhoid and When Should You Worry? “A haemorrhoid is a tiny blood vessel that has been pushed through the rectum during labour or pregnancy due to increased pressure. Typically, they are a little bit smaller than a red kidney bean and can appear in groups of twos or threes. They can be similar in colour to a kidney bean – think varicose vein in your bottom. They can be very painful and can bleed. It is very normal to have them but please do not self diagnose. Always get them checked by your GP.” Can You Treat Piles at Home if You’re Too Embarrassed to Go to the Doctor? “You can use at-home remedies, but really you should see a doctor or a practice nurse”, says Kari Health. “Please don’t feel nervous or worried. They are used to seeing all kinds of bits and do not care how you look down there. Remember what you went through in pregnancy and birth. You’ve more than got this!” What’s the Best Treatment for Piles? “When it comes to the fight against haemorrhoids, fibre and water are your very best friends”, says Kari Health. “Aim to eat around 30g of dietary fibre daily – comprising of soluble (fruits and oats), insoluble (wheat bran and nuts), resistant starch (bananas, grains, pulses) and prebiotics (onions, garlic).” Other Ways to Treat Piles Over-the-counter remedies – including topical creams and suppositories containing local anaesthetic –which are designed to reduce the swelling, pain and bleeding you could be experiencing. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has a good guide to the different topical preparations and how effective they can be.” Take warm baths with a drop of lavender oil for at least ten minutes a day to soothe the area.” Neal’s Yard Remedies Lavender Essential Oil 10ml Manage pain with paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin. Use cold or hot compresses to remove swelling and stop bleeding.” Here’s a guide to making a cold compress to treat the inflamed area. *Always seek medical treatment if at-home remedies don’t work. What’s the Difference Between Anal Prolapse and Haemorrhoids? Kari Health say, “Anal prolapse is when part of your lower bowel comes out of your body. Size wise, it’s considerably more significant and will hang lower than a haemorrhoid. It won’t necessarily be as painful as a haemorrhoid as there are not as many nerve endings; however, it will be very uncomfortable and troublesome when you need a poo.” Seeing a Doctor About Your Piles Could Save Your Life We get it, it’s embarrassing to talk about piles, but a consultation could save your life. Kari Health say, “Don’t forget that some of the symptoms of haemorrhoids could also be a sign of other health issues. By getting a proper examination from a medical professional, you can rule those out and seek the appropriate treatment for you.” What is Kari Health? Kari Health is a Women’s Health Platform that is changing the way women view and care for their health. Designed and run by a team of women’s health experts, you can find expert advice, and articles as well as solutions for your health. Kari Health covers topics other platforms may not. Find Out More
TMC Family Recipe of the Week: Power Oat BarsRead More Post author By The Mum Club Post date 21 April 2023 No Comments on TMC Family Recipe of the Week: Power Oat Bars TMC Family Recipe of the Week: Power Oat Bars Ingredients: 80g butter or non-dairy alternative 60g brown sugar 4 tbsp golden syrup ½ tsp salt 130g porridge oats 35g chopped, dried apple 35g chopped, dried apricots 25g dried cranberries 25g pumpkin seeds 2 tbsp sunflower seeds 25g desiccated coconut Method: In a saucepan, melt together the butter, sugar, golden syrup and salt. Mix all the dry ingredients together in a bowl and stir in the butter and syrup mixture. Line and grease a 20cm square baking tin. Spoon the mixture into the tin and press down to level the surface (try using a potato masher to make it easier). Bake in an oven preheated to 180°C for 18 to 20 minutes. Store in the fridge and cut into bars before serving.
TMC Family Recipe of the Week: Best Roast Leg of LambRead More *Tips Try putting a few parsnips or carrots in with the roast potatoes. Recipe from https://www.jamieoliver.com/ Post author By The Mum Club Post date 6 April 2023 No Comments on TMC Family Recipe of the Week: Best Roast Leg of Lamb TMC Family Recipe of the Week: Best Roast Leg of Lamb Ingredients 2 kg leg of lamb or hogget 1 bulb of garlic ½ a bunch of fresh rosemary 1.5 kg potatoes 1 lemon olive oil MINT SAUCE 1 bunch of fresh mint 1 teaspoon sugar 3 tablespoons wine vinegar Method 1. Remove the lamb from the fridge 1 hour before you want to cook it, to let it come up to room temperature. 2. Preheat the oven to 200ºC/400ºF/gas 6 and place a roasting dish for the potatoes on the bottom. 3. Break the garlic bulb up into cloves, then peel 3, leaving the rest whole. Pick and roughly chop half the rosemary leaves. Peel and halve the potatoes. 4. Crush the peeled garlic into a bowl, add the chopped rosemary, finely grate in the lemon zest and drizzle in a good lug of oil, then mix together. 5. Season the lamb with sea salt and black pepper, then drizzle with the marinade and rub all over the meat. Place on the hot bars of the oven above the tray. 6. Parboil the potatoes in a pan of boiling salted water for 10 minutes, then drain and allow to steam dry. Gently toss the potatoes in the colander to scuff up the edges, then tip back into the pan. 7. Add the remaining rosemary sprigs and whole garlic cloves to the potatoes, season with salt and pepper, then drizzle over a good lug of oil. Tip the potatoes into the hot tray and place back under the lamb to catch all the lovely juices. 8. Cook the lamb for 1 hour 15 minutes if you want it pink, or 1 hour 30 minutes if you like it more well done. 9. Meanwhile, make the mint sauce. Pick and finely chop the mint leaves, then place in a small bowl. Mix in the sugar, a good pinch of salt, 1 tablespoon of hot water and the vinegar. 10. When the lamb is cooked to your liking, remove from the oven and leave to rest for 15 minutes or so. Carve and serve with the roast potatoes, mint sauce and some seasonal greens. *Tips Try putting a few parsnips or carrots in with the roast potatoes. Recipe from https://www.jamieoliver.com/
TMC Family Recipe of the Week: Easter Chick Linzer CookiesRead More Recipe from https://littlepaperswans.com/blog Post author By The Mum Club Post date 6 April 2023 No Comments on TMC Family Recipe of the Week: Easter Chick Linzer Cookies TMC Family Recipe of the Week: Easter Chick Linzer Cookies Ingredients For the cookies: 225 g plain flour 150 g butter 75 g caster sugar For the icing: 250 g icing sugar yellow, orange and black food colouring Method 1. Place the flour, butter and sugar in a bowl. Rub the butter into the dry ingredients until a dough forms. This can take a few minutes. 2. Once the dough is formed. Place in the fridge for at least an hour or in the freezer for 30 minutes. 3. Preheat your oven to 180°C. Use an circle cutter to cut rounds. Then take a piping nozzle and make 2 circles into the cookie to make a chick shape. Take a fork to the outside of the cookie to create detail around the edge. 4. Bake for 10/12 minutes until the edges turn golden brown. 5. Leave to cool completely. 6. Make the icing by combining water 1 tsp at a time with the icing sugar. It needs to be thick! Divide the icing into bowls, the biggest amount for yellow, smaller amounts for black and orange. 7. Assemble your cookie by spreading yellow icing in the middle. Sandwich the cookies together and then add the feet and eye details. Recipe from https://littlepaperswans.com/blog
