Author: Scottish Mum

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Garden Vegetables

I thought you might like a look at some of our vegetables from the plot this year.   We’ve had a bumper crop, including broccoli, cabbage, potatoes, leek, onion, carrot, cucumber, green beans, swede and strawberries.

Mr Scottish seems to have taken growing veges in his stride, helped along by middler of course, who needs something to keep him occupied, especially at weekends and school holidays.  I think this is a major success.

Here’s a small selection of what we’ve prepared for tonights supper, along with the cucumber and courgette, which is very likely to be turned into some sort of jam.  We’ve had a massive courgette crop which has been difficult to use up, so friends and neighbours have all had plenty.

It’s been a lot of work, but we’ve got a few sacks of potatoes, and the strawberries were turned into jam long ago.  Our raspberries weren’t so successful, and our tomatoes were a non starter this year, but there’s always next year.  Rhubarb is always a chore for us, as apart from crumble and jam, nobody else will eat it.  Most of that has been given away.

This was well worth starting.  It pretty much halves our fruit and veg bill during May to October.

Cabbage
Vegetables
Courgette Cabbage and Potatoes
Courgette
Potatoes
Swede

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10 Low Carb Desserts from around the net (low sugar).

Looking up some recipes that I don’t throw together, isn’t something I do often.  I’m very much of a chuck things in and see how they turn out, but I’ve had a trawl through some recipes I really like the look of, and quite fancy trying.  See what you think too.

Quark Cheesecake 2
Remember, that low carb doesn’t mean faddy diet, and removing sugar and excess carbs from our diet does make me feel so much better than I sued to.

Keeping to a sensible carb limit and not Atkins style extremely low carb, seems to be a very healthy way to live.  Permanently.  I’d love to do it, but since I have a savoury tooth more than a sweet one, I don’t feel guilty about the few sweet things I do eat, especially if I’ve cut the sugar from it.

Here are some fabulous low carb desserts I’ve found online.

1 – Blueberry Yoghurt Pancakes

From Bob’s Red Mill, these use whole wheat flour.  As pancake fans, this is probably going to land in my kitchen at some point.

2 – Lemon Squares

From From Diabetic Connect, these look heavenly, and you don’t need to be diabetic to enjoy desserts with less sugar and carbohydrates than the regular versions.  The recipe mostly uses Xylitol which is my favourite sweetener these days.

3 – Low Carb Mini Apple Pies

Flavoured with Cinnamon, and only 9 net carbs each, these will more than likely be on my winter menu at some point.

4 – Peanut Butter Pie

From Oh that’s tasty.  Unusual and quite luxurious.

5 – Mini Flourless Chocolate Cakes

From Sweet Beet and Green Bean, these are a great idea, though I’d change the organic sugar to xylitol or something else to miss out the sugar.

6 – Low Carb Panna Cotta

From Sugar Free Chic.   I’ve never eaten Panna Cotta, but this recipe sounds delish.  Once I’ve got down to my target weight, I might just try this one out for a treat.

7 – Two Minute Coffee Cake

One of many recipes from Ginny’s Low Carb Kitchen, it’s a perfect microwave recipe for those moments when you really just need something sweet in a hurry.

8 – Low Carb Coffee and Cream Cheesecake

I don’t think I could eat much of this version, but the first few spoonfuls would be pure bliss.   By the author’s own admission, it wasn’t strong, so you could easily use this as a base and add your own favourite flavours.

9 – Pineapple-Rum Sorbet Recipe

I couldn’t resist sharing this.  The ingredients remind me of Mexico, sitting by the pool, sipping afternoon drinks…….before the kids arrived..

10 – Low Sugar and Low Carb Strawberry Cheesecake

Lastly, my own, Low Carb and Low Fat, No Base – I used stevia for this, but I plan making it again soon, by using Xylitol instead.

Quark Cheesecake 4

 

 

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My Solution to Pathetic Broadband – Hello 4GEE Mobile Wifi (Osprey 2)

Update:  Inserting the sim on Osprey 2.

This seems to trouble some people.  I can only show you how mine is inserted.  Locate the little cover with the sim image on the side and gently pull it open.   With the sticker on the back of the Osprey, I’ve taken a picture of which way to put in the sim.  If your Osprey is sitting with the EE logo on the top, contacts will face up, and if it’s sitting with the smooth back of the Osprey upwards, it’s the EE sticker on the sim on the top.  Hope this helps a bit.   Your sim needs to be exactly in the middle, so pop it in gently so that you can remove it if you miss the centre slot.  When it slides in easily, use your nail, or a pin to push it in until it feels like it’s clicked.

IMG_1968 IMG_1967

——————————————————————————————————

Our broadband is dire.  I don’t like to shout too loudly, as some of my neighbours have it even worse than we do, but if there’s more than one person hooked up to the WiFi, there’s no hope of EE3getting much of anything done.

At times, our speed isn’t much more than the old dial-up.  To make matters worse, if the broadband goes down, there have been no 3G or 4G connections to fall back on with a phone.  I’d tried 3, Vodafone and O2, but at least with O2, we get calls.  We couldn’t even get that with Vodafone.

I know some of you probably think we live out in the sticks, but although we’re a village on the outskirts, we’re still actually classed as being in Aberdeen, and not the Shire.  Yes, that’s right, we’re in a City and the broadband needs a good talking to.

We’ve been promised faster internet for years, but after an extended slo-mo outage, I decided to get myself a hold of one of the EE Mobile WiFi units.  To be honest, I expected very little from it, as our trials for other networks have been so poor.  I switched it on, fully expecting it to have to go back, then I sat it on a window ledge, and what do you know – I got three bars of 4G!  I think my neighbour heard me whooop…
EE Osprey 2 2

I can’t move it around too much, as there only seems to be a few spots where the signal is this good, but I can join it, just like any other hub.

I’ve seen the reviews that said the unit was quite large.  I don’t know what they’re reviewing, but I don’t find it large at all.

There is a mini version of the Osprey 2, but that does not allow you to charge a phone if you’re out and about.  I can see my youngest wanting a mini for Xmas though.

As for the data plans…  I do find them slightly on the expensive side, so I’ll be restricting my useage on the gadget, but it’s finally reassuring to know, that when my internet dies totally, I can still actually use my phone to get online….or turn off automatic updates on my computer, to save data.

Anyway, you can choose pay as you go, or sign up for monthly payments.  If you’re using it a lot, then monthly would be the way to go.  This is the first time I’ve tried a mobile WiFi gadget in my house, and there isn’t an alternative.  I’m just happy to see a light flashing anywhere, on any gadget that connects to the internet.

Easily pleased aren’t I?  Perhaps I should just get a life outside the internet….

EE Osprey 2 1

In the box:

  • EE4GEE Osprey 2 Unit.
  • Quick start guide.
  • Top up card.
  • Sim card.
  • Little carry pouch.
  • Charging cable.

Disappointingly, the cable is ultra short and there is no plug.  I found that a bit inconvenient.

For surfing the web, I have to say, it is much preferable to our BT Broadband at present.

In Use

I’ve popped it in my bedroom, where I’ll use it to check mail, surf a few web pages, social media, and some low data hungry things.  Our WiFi doesn’t work well up there, even with a booster, so moving onto this for the evenings will make me very happy indeed.  Now, I’ve just got to work out how long I can make my original 6GB of WiFi last for.

With one machine under our belts, I doubt I would actually swap this pay as you go sim for a monthly one, as the units are free on a monthly package.  If I decided to tie myself down to a monthly payment, I’d simply get them to send me a new unit too.  Possibly the mini as a Christmas present.  It would be the same price overall.

Surfing on 4G is very much faster than with our broadband.  I went for a walk, popped the Osprey into my pocket with my phone and was able to download messages and read the news on a local park bench when I stopped for a breather.  It’s the first time ever, that I’ve had any connection in our village.  I doubt I will do without this gadget in future, unless O2 get their finger out and give us 4G too.

Littlest is simply thinking about having WiFi on his travels.  When we go away in the van, we tend to get zero signal wherever we go for data, but some people have been mentioning finding EE signals, so if we get WiFi in a place where our phones pick up nothing, I might just kiss the boots of whoever invented these little magic gadgets.  We can connect up to 10 devices to these units, so they’re quite versatile.  I just wish the data was cheaper.

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Actifry Recipe: Summer Garden Veg with Garlic

Actifry Vegetables 2

Simple and easy, and very tasty veg.  You can do these in a frying plan or a wok, but the Actifry does make it simple.

Actifry Recipe: Summer Garden Veg

Lesley Smith
I made this instead of boiling potatoes.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Vegetables
Cuisine Low Carb
Servings 4 - 6

Ingredients
  

  • 2 Courgettes Medium
  • 4 Medium Sized Onions
  • 15 - 18 Cherry Sized Tomatoes
  • Handful of Sliced Peppers
  • 1 - 2 Garlic Cloves
  • 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
  • Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • I don't think we can get much more simple than this. Simply slice the courgettes and onions and add them to the Actifry.

  • Add the tomatoes whole, and also the peppers.

  • Crush or chop the garlic into tiny pieces and add, or you could use garlic powder, pieces etc.

  • Pour oil over the vegetables in the fryer. Then add a little salt and pepper.

  • This can take up to about 10 minutes, sometimes a little more in my Actifry, as I like my courgettes nice and soft.

 

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Is Your Windows 10 Machine Updating Someone Else’s Computer?

If you’ve downloaded Windows 10, and are loving it, congratulations.  Windows 10

I, on the other hand, really do like it, but I found a problem.  After installing it, my machine seemed to be working constantly, and my processor sat at 98% most of the time, with only one program open.  It meant I could hardly do anything without the machine freezing for a minute or two.

I could do very little, as I had no ram left on my slightly ageing PC.

So I did what we all do when our computers temporarily freeze up.  I went looking for what I could find.

Potential For Peer to Peer Updates

Windows 10 will do mandatory updates, but  the really tricky part of this, is that not only can Microsoft then use your download to update the other machines in your network, it could use your broadband to deliver updates to other PC users, wherever they may be, by using a form of peer-to-peer distribution.

I don’t know about anyone else, but our broadband is pretty rubbish as it is.  The potential to lose some, so that someone else can download their updates, fills me with dread…….  There isn’t enough information to say how they will use it, but the wording on the image below is pretty telling.  Make your own decision.

For those of you with superfast broadband, I have no doubt this is a great idea if you don’t mind sharing, but as someone who is stuck on ASDL, for what seems to be eternity, with no option of going faster, finding ways to get my machine nippier is definitely a priority.  On the plus side, Microsoft’s servers would get a break from the pressure of downloading.

I have horrific memories of the old fashioned peer-to-peer stuff of a few years ago, so this did not fill me with joy.

Thankfully, we can actually stop this happening.

Image from Windows 10 Settings Page
Image from Windows 10 Settings Page
Turn It Off

It’s on by default when you download and install Windows 10.

  • Start
  • Settings
  • Update & Security
  • Windows Update
  • Advanced Options
  • Choose How Updates Are Delivered
  • Either:  Choose PCs on my local network OR Click Off to switch off the sharing option completely.

I do have to say though, I am loving the new Start Menu and the options for apps.

And to the potential person/people who I may have downloaded Windows 10 from today, whoever you are, thank you for sharing.

 

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Is it ‘right’ to ban high sugar products?

Ok, I’ve read the hype and the arguments and I have a point of view on this.  As the general consensus seems to have been bashing Tesco for deciding to ban some high sugar products, I thought I should add my balance to the argument.  For the record, this post is not sponsored or in conjunction with any brand of any kind, and is just my opinion.

The conversation seems to be based around the following principles:sugar

  • Tesco banning sweets from checkouts.
  • Promoting energy drinks as a healthier alternative.
  • Removing some high sugar drinks from sale.
  • Sugar Consumption.
  • Obesity.

Banning Sweets from Checkouts

Kudos to Tesco for this.  Every journey begins somewhere.

Ok, there is still a learning curve, and perhaps individual store managers have a say on what does get promoted, but on the whole, this is a great initiative.  I’m not convinced that dried fruit has a place here either, as the sugar content is still high, and our bodies treat all carbs as sugar, but if it’s a choice between candy and dried fruit, isn’t it better if children pick the dried fruit (and adults for that matter).

Promoting Energy Drinks as a Healthier Alternative

I guess we could say that this is actually true in some respects, though perhaps it would be better if we tried to work with retailers on what’s acceptable and what is not.  After all, we all have differing opinions.  As a diabetic who also has to manage someone else’s diabetes, I’d much rather deal with aspartame than high sugar, but if I can get rid of the aspartame, I will.  I don’t think we know enough about it to know how safe it is long-term.

It’s not the shop who is at fault with the sweeteners, it’s ours.  There are alternative ways to sweeten products, but we choose to buy ones loaded with aspartame.  I know I’d rather drink an aspartame product than an added sugar one, but that’s just me.

The caffeine element is not so easy for me to rationalise, as the drinks say they are not suitable for children.  Checkouts are very much driven by impulse last-minute buys by everyone in stores and I find plenty of shops that sell high caffeine energy drinks to kids.

Even my local shop does it.  It’s not illegal, and a couple of glasses of most brands of cola, or a few cups of coffee will add up to the same caffeine intake, but does not gather such vitriol as energy drinks.

I don’t like the promotion, but I can see where it came from, and to some extent, it applies to almost all shops that sell energy drinks and fizzy stuff.

Removing some High Sugar Drinks from Sale

I am really struggling to find the downside of this…..

I think people are perhaps confusing the removal of drinks with added sugar, with the removal of products that are high in sugar naturally.

In the Telegraph, David Beardmore, soft drinks buying manager for Tesco explained that it is part of a ten point plan against obesity, and that from September, they will only sell no-added-sugar drinks in the childrens juice categories.

Read that again.  no-added-sugar…..

It’s seems to have nothing to do with the brands of Ribena, Capri-Sun, Ribicon, or anything else.  It’s about removing products which are loaded up with extra sugar.  That’s sugar that nobody needs in their life.  Ever.

He also states, that most of the suppliers are supportive.

The manufacturers are free to modify products to contain no added sugar, and I suspect they would be stocked once again.  It wouldn’t be a bad thing for us to develop a less sweet tooth than we currently seem to have as a species overall.

Sugar Consumption

Look at the back of almost every processed product you buy, and in there will a label that tells us all about the carbohydrates.  Most of us tend to scan the list and take a look at the sugar content, forgetting that all carbs are treated as sugar in our bodies.

Let’s face it, even soups, pasta, ready meals and all sorts have sugar bumped into them.  Many bloggers make their meals from scratch, so we tend to consume less sugar, but on the whole, many of us, and our kids, eat plenty added sugar foods overall.

Sugar is addictive.  Apart from the lucky people who eat to live and treat food as fuel, the rest of us derive large amounts of pleasure and satisfaction from eating food, and food tends to taste better with fat and sugar added, even if we don’t always know why we like the taste.  Crucially, sugar is one food ingredient that we don’t need at all.  We get zero benefit from it, and it adds absolutely nothing to our diets.

If someone is a T1 diabetic and needs a sugar injection, there are many other choices to have on hand as a quick sugar release.  Added sugar products seem to be overkill, though I admit, it might be easier for a parent to persuade a hypoglycemic child to drink their favourite sugary drink.  The point being, though, that if it’s their favourite, they are more than likely consuming it when they don’t actually need the sugar, and then just topping up sugar levels that don’t need to be topped up.

I use sugar in my recipes for sweet things, but often reduce the content that other people recommend.  I suspect few of us would add sugar to our full meals, so why manufacturers think we need it in those products, completely flummoxes me.

Yes, I would like to see sugar content reduced, and products taken off the other shelves, but I’m old enough to know that a single step can eventually turn into cracking a mountain, if someone is determined to carry through their convictions.

Obesity

Yes, I’ve read and listened to the arguments for other products listed in stores that are high in sugar, but those are not solely aimed at children.  The products being removed are directed specifically at children.

We can deny it all we want, but on the whole, kids are getting fatter.  Two of my kids are skinny and one is slim, but he did have a problem for a while, and we’ve managed to wean him off the taste of high sugar products, but like me, he’s an addict and will always have to watch how much he is taking in.

Being fat sucks.  I don’t care how many people dress it up, or say how happy they are with their bodies at a heavier weight, there are few people I would believe.

Along with the difficulty in getting clothes that fit well, there’s excess sweating, stress and pressure on joints, stress on the heart, cholesterol levels, the possibility of Type 2 diabetes, or being shamed and called names in public, at school, or anywhere else.  And those are just for starters.

I have been very fat, and I have been very thin.  I know which version I prefer.  I wish that all products, apart from desserts, had been made sugar free throughout my life.  It would have made my choices so much easier.

As someone who finds it very easy to be addicted to the one thing that also can make me ill, there is no escape from my poison.  An alcoholic can stop drinking and not have to pass another drop across their lips.  A food addict does not have that pleasure.  Every day, they have to face their demons and swallow a portion of what they are addicted to.

And sugar is addictive…. Craving carbohydrates is common, as is the carb coma that can make someone want to sleep after eating a carb rich meal, but at the same time, it’s impossible to ignore the plethora of products out there to choose from.

My Last Words

If a huge retailer can enter discussions with providers of added sugar products, to remove the excess, then I think it is one step in the right direction.

Yes, there are bound to be teething problems, and yes, I think it could have been done differently, but I really do like the principle.

I am hoping that the initiative is built upon and expanded.  I think I’m just pleased to see a large household name start to take responsibility.  The test is going to be whether they can keep it going, and alter manufacturers product ingredient choices as a result.

 

 

 

 

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Cream Cheese Pancakes – Low Carb & Gluten Free

Who said pancakes need to have flour in them?  Oh yes, not me!!  Looking for low sugar and low carb alternatives for foods isn’t the easiest thing to do, but if you play around with different ingredients, it’s surprising what you can make.

For this, I used Quark, but you could use any old cream cheese, including mascapone, and possibly even Philadelphia.  These also happen to be gluten free, which is also a boost, if that’s what you’re looking for.

I mixed this in a wee jug with a hand whisk.  No fancy high tech gadgets around here for these.

Cream Cheese Pancakes 3

Cream Cheese Pancakes - Low Carb & Gluten Free

Lesley Smith
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Total Time 16 minutes
Course Low Carb
Servings 8
Calories 35 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 110 g Cream Cheese or Quark Tesco Quark: 75 Calories, 4g Carb
  • 3 Medium Eggs 180 Cals, 0g Carb
  • 2 Level Teaspoons Stevia 4 Calories, 2g Carb
  • Butter or Oil to Grease Pan - I used One Cal Spray. 20 Sprays: 20 Cals, 0g Carb
  • Optional Teaspoon of Cinnamon or Nutmeg - (If you use this, count the carbs if you are keeping track)

Instructions
 

  • Put all the ingredients into a bowl or jug.

  • Mix or whisk until well combined into a good batter.

  • Heat frying pan on medium heat, then turn the heat down.

  • Cook on each side for 1-2 minutes, or until they resemble a pancake.

  • Serve with fresh berries.

 

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Giveaway: Win a £100 JoJo Maman Bébé Gift Voucher (CLOSED)

JoJo Maman Bébé, has recently opened a new store in my home town, in Aberdeen.

To celebrate the opening, I’m carrying a UK wide giveaway, for a £100 voucher.  In total, they have around 70 stores around the country, and also have an online shop.

I don’t think there are many of us mums around who haven’t heard of JoJo Maman Bébé, and it’s nice to see how they’ve grown in recent years, building on the ranges of maternity clothes, baby clothes and nursery goods.

JoJo Maman Bebe Toddler BedIf you’re lucky enough to win the giveaway, you could buy a gorgeous Country Junior Bed, or a selection of clothes, or actually, any one of a multitude of baby and parent goodies they have to offer on their website, and in-store.

Jojo Maman Bebe BootiesThere is a good maternity range, and some fabulously cute and stylish outfits for both boys and girls.   These Baby Beach and Swim Booties are adorable in either blue or pink, for only £8, and they’re machine washable, anti-slip soles.

When my boys were little, we found it difficult to find shoes that were suitable for wearing on hot sand, and to protect their feet from sand scratches and cuttlefish shells.  I suspect these would have been perfect.

New Aberdeen Store

The new store can be found at

JoJo Maman Bebe
Unit 14
Bon-Accord Centre
Aberdeen
AB25-1HZ

Opening hours are Mon-Fri 9.30am – 5.30pm and Sunday 11am – 5pm.  If you’re looking for gift ideas, pop down to your local shop, or pick up a gift voucher.

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Rules

  • Open to UK Mainland Entrants only.
  •  **1 Winner will win one £100 JoJo Maman Bébé voucher for the value of £100.
  • The voucher will be sent directly from JoJo Maman Bébé to the winner.
  • The Scottish Mum Blog is not responsible for your prize and cannot be held liable in any way for non delivery or non receipt at your end.
  • Winners will be notified within 3 days of giveaway end. If the winner does not respond within 3 days, a new winner will be drawn.
  • The winners will be chosen by Rafflecopter random generator.
  • Scottish Mum Blog and JoJo Maman Bébé reserve the right to amend, add or withdraw this giveaway at any time.
  • Each entry method entitles you to one entry into the draw.
  • Closes 31st August 2015 at midnight.**
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Strawberry Flapjacks Recipe

We’ve had loads of lovely strawberries from the plot this year, and more than we could simply eat as strawberries on their own.

I’ve made two batches of strawberry jam, and this flapjacks recipe was to keep the kids happy with some sweet munchies, and also save a few pennies from shopping for a few days, as I had all the ingredients already.

It’s very indulgent and uber tasty, and oh so easy to eat lots of it.

Enjoy.

Strawberry Flapjack

Strawberry Flapjack Recipe

Lesley Smith
This is an enormous recipe, that I used for kids friends coming over. Most people will only need around half these quantities for Flapjack making.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Dessert / Snack
Cuisine Dessert
Servings 20 - 40 pieces

Ingredients
  

  • 750 g Porridge Oats or Large Oats
  • 400 g Butter
  • 300 g Strawberries washed, dried and finely sliced.
  • 200 g Golden sugar.
  • 4 Tablespoons Honey

Instructions
 

  • Switch on the oven, to around 120/140C.

  • Melt the butter in a pan, or in the microwave, until fluid.

  • In a bowl, mix the oats, golden sugar and honey together with the strawberries. Tip in the melted butter and give it a good mix, until the oats resemble a sticky mix, as per the image above.

  • Line a baking tray with baking paper and tip the mixture out.

  • Use the back of a spoon to press the mix down firmly. If you don't do this, your flapjack will fall apart when you try to cut it.

  • Bake for around 40 minutes. If the top begins to brown, your oven is up too high, so turn it down.

Strawberry Flapjack 3

 

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Teriyaki Chicken Kebabs

Ok, this is the cheats way to do it.  I never said I was mega original, did I?  Anyway, these taste lush, and have just the right amount of stickiness, but it does mean changing the recommended use of a standard Maggi, Teriyaki Chicken mix.

The Maggi pack, says that it’s made with natural herbs and spices and given that I managed to get 8 large kebab sticks from it, the added seasoning is only 22 calories and 5 carbs per kebab.  That’s pretty good when you consider that it makes chicken taste so much better than just salt and pepper, or some added spices.

I’m not sure this is really a recipe, but here you go.

Chicken Kebabs with Baked Camembert

Teriyaki Chicken Kebabs

Lesley Smith
I did not have vegetables available for adding to the kebab stick for this recipe. The fridge needed filling, so we had ours with a little lettuce on the side.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Chicken
Cuisine Mains
Servings 6

Ingredients
  

  • 6 Chicken Breasts
  • 1 Pack Maggi So Sticky Teriyaki Chicken
  • Boiling Water
  • Required: Kebab Sticks or Forks
  • Baked Camembert

Instructions
 

  • Simply cut each chicken breast into kebab sized chunks. I had large chicken breasts and got several good sized pieces for each kebab stick.

  • Put your Maggi mix into a good sized bowl and add some boiling water. Not too much, but enough to give you a mixture for coating the kebabs. Stir until the mix is dissolved.

  • Dip the chicken and roll it around in the Teriyaki mix, then pop it in the fridge for half an hour to marinate.

  • Slip your chicken onto the kebab sticks, and lay on foil prepared flat baking trays.

  • Cook at 160C for 20 minutes, or until your chicken is thoroughly cooked. Add your Camembert to the oven at the same time, following the instructions it comes with.

 

 

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Review: Trespass Zachariah Jacket – Limone

One of my boys has been looking for a yellow jacket for quite some time now. He’s used a high vis vest in the past when he’s on his bike in winter, but he has wanted a nice bright jacket that’s both windproof and waterproof.  One that isn’t too bulky, and means he can wear layers underneath.

Trespass offered me the chance to pick an item from their outdoor clothing, footwear and equipment website.  When I spotted this jacket, I knew immediately, that it was the one I wanted.

I chose the Limone coloured, Zachariah Trespass Jacket.

My kids are all outdoor fanatics, so good jackets are actually quite high on my list of priorities, to keep the wind and the rain out, especially in the cold weather.  The beauty of the Zachariah Jacket, is that it will do for both summer and winter.

Image Courtesy of Tresspass.com
Image Courtesy of Tresspass.com

My oldest son would have loved the navy version, but it was too tempting to tick the bright yellow jacket box for my middle boy.

Trespass Zachariah 3

It has something called the tres-tex membrane, which allows the jacket to be Waterproof, Windproof and has a Water Repellant Zip. Taped Seams stop the water from coming in, yet, it’s also breathable.

The jacket is part of the technical performance range, and has some extras that my cyclist will be pretty chuffed with.

  • Adjustable Zip Off Hood
  • Venting
  • Snow Seal System
  • Zipped Pockets
  • Glasses Pocket
  • Phone Pocket
  • Adjustable Cuffs

The jacket is for one of my teens who is growing like a weed, but as it’s going to be part of his birthday present, one of my other boys stepped in to model it for him.

Trespass Zachariah 2

In fact, I actually think my other two boys were more than just a little bit envious of the nice bright colour, and the fabulous quality of the jacket.  Even the man was suitably impressed, wondering if he should get one for himself, but in navy.

Zachariah 4 Glare

My model for the day, was highly amused by the opening side vents, that allow air to circulate freely.  It’s the first time he’s seen anything like that, and the phone pocket is on the sleeve, beside the cuff, which makes it easy for access too.

I ordered the extra small (xs) from the Men’s range, which will fit my middle child perfectly, who is thirteen and quite slender.  It’s a tad long in the sleeves for my model, but as his brother has longer arms, it’ll be fine.

I can see this getting much love and attention from my boy when he gets his hands on it.

He already has a pair of bright yellow salopettes, which he adores, so this will complete his outfit for when it snows.

Salopettes for the legs, and a thinner jacket on top, one that can be layered, is perfect for sledging in the winter months.

I’m going to enjoy seeing his face when he opens this parcel….

Thank you Trespass.

 

 

 

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Making Burgers & the Quarter Pounder Burger Press

If you know where your mince has come from, then you can be sure that it isn’t full of additives or processed foods.  As a low-carb person these days, I also want to know exactly what is in my food, so that I can count it.

Burgers 1

Lakeland Quarter Pounder Burger Press. Ref-10481-£8.99.
Lakeland Quarter Pounder Burger Press. Ref-10481-£8.99.

I’d been tempted by the Lakeland Burger Press for a while, but to be honest, I hadn’t got round to it before now.

In the past, I tended to simply make a ball with my hands and then flatten it, but the burgers were usually pretty misshapen, and thinner at the ends than in the middle, so I thought it was worth a go.

While I was online for an order, I had to pop this beauty into my shopping basket.  It’s simple, yes, but also brilliant at getting regular shapes.

Burgers & Fillers

For my mince, I chose the food from my local butcher, Andrew Gordon, of the The Lean Butcher, who has recently rebranded (previously known as the Fresh Food Guru, online).  He has a lean steak mince deal which is perfect for 3KG of mince.

There are 153 calories per 100g and less than 0.1g of carbohydrate.  Perfect in my book.

To make my burgers, I simply chopped up some onion, then added a chunk of garlic from our plot.  It’s the first time I’ve tried our own garlic, and it beat the shop version hands down.

Onion and Garlic Burgers

Lesley Smith
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Burgers, Mains
Cuisine Main Meal
Servings 5

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 kg Mince.
  • 150 g Onion chopped how you like it.
  • 1 Clover Garlic finely chopped.
  • Salt to taste
  • Pepper to taste.

Instructions
 

  • This is actually really simple. I did not add breadcrumbs, as I wanted a burger without the added carbs. I put my mince and onions in a bowl, along with the chopped up garlic. Don't be scared to get your hands into the bowl, and really work the onions into the mince. I like large chunks of onions, but everyone is different.
  • Stir in salt and pepper. We all know how much we prefer, so I just add a level teaspoon of both and mix that in too. You might prefer to do without, or add more.
  • I split my mix into six even sized portions, ie rolling into a ball, then pressed each one into my burger press and push it down with a spoon, to make it firm.
  • I've heard people worrying about getting their burgers out of the burger press, but I find it quite simple. When I push the top to release the burger from the base, I simply slide a long and narrow bladed knife into the place where the burger press and the burger meets. I've never had a failure yet, even though I don't use additional binders.
  • Cook any way you like. I bake mine in a moderate heat for twenty minutes as my children like their meat well done, but you could flash fry or grill.