Review - FoodSaver

My main resolution or goal for 2015 is to get organised. A big part of this for me will be getting back into meal planning, shopping online & batch cooking meals for the freezer. So when I was asked if I wanted to review a FoodSaver I jumped at the chance.

The FoodSaver is a vacuum sealing system that sucks out the air from the bag, sealing in flavour and quality.

The FoodSaver Model: FFS002 has an integrated roll storage and it genuinely is so straightforward to use and easy to clean (the instructions state that it can be used by children aged 8 and over!).

We waste a lot of food and I'm hoping that this gadget will help us keep food longer as it won't perish as fast. I tend to find that food in my freezer gets 'freezer burn' and I can't seem to control the temperature in my fridge very well either, so using the FoodSaver will protect my groceries.

The other added benefit is the reseal function. This means that if I open a big bag of crisps I can reseal the bag before I make my way through the lot so it's great for controlling portion sizes for dieting. 

I thought it would be easier to show you the FoodSaver in use, so here's a little vlog for you. I ended up demonstrating the functionality of the machine by marinading some chicken in a green curry paste. You can marinade in minutes rather than overnight, another huge plus point. As an aside - I do totally realise that you don't need to marinade chicken for a Thai Green Curry but it just happened to be what we were cooking for dinner and it was a good way to show you the FoodSaver in action!

The FoodSaver FFS002 costs £74.99 on Amazon with free delivery, and it comes with 10 bags and a 3m roll plus an accessory hose (for use with FoodSaver canisters). You can then buy replacement rolls, 2 x 5m for £17.80 on Amazon with free delivery. It may not be the cheapest gadget, but I think in the long run it will help me save pounds (& hopefully lose pounds in weight too!).

It's also not the smallest of machines, but it can be stored upright which takes up less space, and it's got a sleek design so it looks good on the counter-top.

I was sent a FoodSaver FFS002 to review. All opinions are honest and are my own.

#JanuaryJoy - Get Organised

For the past two years I've taken part in Florence Find's #JanuaryJoy, writing daily posts following Rebecca's prompts. This year it's a slightly different format and instead of daily blog posts she has chosen a smaller number of prompts to tackle as you see fit.

#JanuaryJoy

I start a new job next week and my hours will be going up a little. I'm moving into a new role, in a new field. Still science, but I'm going to have a lot to learn and the next few months will be very busy. I've the kids for a start (granted only half the week), a house to clean & laundry to manage, a boyfriend to spend time with, an exercise regimen to keep up with, a garden to maintain and a blog that won't write itself! How am I going to manage? Honestly, I'm slightly concerned that I'm not going to have time for everything.

If I were to set myself a New Year's resolution, then it would be to 'get organised'. (My son's resolution is to play more on the computer - ain't gonna happen!) 

I'm already a pretty organised person, but I need to improve my current systems of working to make better use of my time.

One of my Christmas gifts from Rick was a FiloFax and I can't wait to start using it. (It's still in transit.)

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I'm hoping that if I plan well (in my new FiloFax!) then I can keep up with everything.

One of my problem areas is cleaning. There's just always something else I'd rather be doing. Like blogging, or sitting drinking tea!

Once the kids are in bed, the last thing I can be bothered with is picking up a cloth and scrubbing the kitchen, bathroom or wherever!

I do find cleaning easier when there isn't 'stuff' lying around everywhere. And unfortunately at the moment there seems to be 'stuff' everywhere. Chocolates leftover from Christmas in the kitchen, new toys that are yet to find homes in the playroom, mail that's still unopened on my desk...

So one of my first tasks in getting organised is to find homes for everything and declutter a bit.

I've already made progress with this, and earlier this week I managed to successfully put up some Ikea shelving in my hallway/office area and my bedroom.

Next on my list is to find some storage solutions to hide some of the clutter. I'm thinking a few stylish baskets for my new bedroom shelves to hide nail polishes and some jars for make-up brushes.

H&M Home Storage Basket

H&M Home Glass Jar

I'm also going to try and follow some of the tips & advice over on Rock My Style - The Declutter Challenge.

Wish me luck - I'm going to need it!

Highs and Lows of 2014

This is my third year year of taking part in Kate's Highs and Lows blog hop. It's really interesting to go back and see what was written in the previous years. You'll find my 2013 and 2012 posts here and here.

So here are this year's responses:

1. What was your happiest event?

I have had a lot of happy events this year, but the best has to be dropping the L-bomb ;-) It took a while, but it was worth the wait.

2. What was the saddest thing to happen?

Not the saddest per se, but one of the toughest things I had to deal with this year was a Crohn's flare-up and a colonoscopy.

3. What was the most unlikely thing to happen that actually went ahead and did? 

Getting our two gorgeous kittens, Rhubarb & Crumble.

Rhubarb having a snooze on Rick's shoulder. Aw!

4. Who let you down?

Hmmm...not sure. I'm convinced I've let down plenty of people rather than the other way around. I never have enough time to do all the things I want to do or spend time with all the people I'd like to see. Something I need to work on for 2015.

5. Who supported you?

Family & friends. Special mention here to my wee sis Ali and my other half Rick x

Rick, me, my sister Ali & her boyfriend Robin on Boxing Day

6. Tell us what you learned. 

That it's just not possible to do it all, despite trying my hardest.

7. Tell us what made you laugh. 

* Rick - not at him obviously, but with him!

* My banana vlog cracks me up every time I watch it.

* I took the kittens to see my gran over Christmas & she got a fright as Rhubarb jumped up on her suddenly and split her juice a little over her top. Probably shouldn't have laughed, but it was slightly amusing!

My gran with Rhubarb

8. Tell us the things that made you cry.

One of the worst things to happen this year was when my son fell and hit his head when we were in Aberdeen on holiday. It was awful.

Another thing that made my cry was going for my colonoscopy. It was not a pleasant experience.

9. Tell us the things your child or children did to make you feel proud.

* Despite my son's accident being horrendous, he was actually so brave and I was so proud at how well be behaved whilst he was at hospital.

* My daughter has given her Taggie blanket to Santa this year and so far, so good. She's managed a week now without it.

* Lastly, but not least - my son has settled in amazingly well at school and I'm so proud of the progress he is making.

10. Tell us the things that made you proud of yourself. 

* Securing a new job.

* Being shortlisted for a BritMums BiBs award.

* Being selected to be a #Team14 blogger for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games

11. Tell us the challenges you overcame. 

This year before my son started school I went to mediation with my ex and we managed to set up a new routine for childcare. This was a huge challenge: it was not an enjoyable process by any means and I had to compromise on what I felt was right for the children. But the children are now settled in this new routine and the handovers are now at school which has actually worked out well.

On a lighter note, another challenge was the Tarzan swing at Go Ape.

12. Tell us the things you would like to change about your life in 2015.

I'm becoming less convinced by resolutions as I never seem to be able to stick to them, and then feel guilty for not doing so.

Anyway, if I was forced to pin down a few things I'd like to change, then this is what they'd be:

* Lose a few pounds (ideally want to lose 7-10 pounds, so it's more than a few!)

* Become more organised - Rick has bought me a FiloFax for my Christmas and I'm just waiting on it arriving. I'm looking forward to using it and have already purchased a few bits and pieces from Paperchase to make it look pretty!

* Dye my hair blonde again. I dyed my hair back to my natural colour (light brown) because I needed a break from the monthly hairdresser visits. I basically couldn't afford it anymore. But I miss being blonde so I'll be getting some highlights soon.

{#JanuaryJoy - make some resolutions}

Last year I took part in Florence Find's January Joy, and this year Rebecca has put together another set of prompts that look really interesting:

I'm hoping to take part with all of these, we'll see how I go!

First up is 'make some resolutions'. Some of the bloggers I follow have decided against resolutions this year. Kate over at Kate on Thin Ice has decided upon revolutions instead. And Alice over at More than Toast has decided not to look at ways to change, but instead look at the things she achieved last year in her post Resolution Schmesolution.

I agree. The problem with resolutions is they rarely last. I didn't manage to stick with the 5 resolutions I made last year. And they were pretty straightforward ones too!

I stumbled across this on Pinterest today, and it pretty much sums up what my thoughts are as I enter into 2014...

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I also have my 35 at 35 list to work on, which will give me some focus. I'm determined to finish it. I turn 32 in a fortnight, so I have 3 years left to get the rest of the items ticked off...

I can do this! {image source}

P.S. If like me you are trying to be more organised, there is a 50% sale at K Two until midnight tonight. I swear by their family organisers - they're brilliant and this is the third year that I'll be using their products. I don't have the time to make a calendar (prompt for Jan 6!), and instead I'll be using this!

K Two Family Calendar

{Highs and Lows of 2013 - Happy New Year}

Kate from Kate on Thin Ice has invited me to take part in her Highs and Lows of 2013.

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I took part in this last year, and it's actually really interesting to look back at what I wrote. You can find the post here.

Anyway, here are my answers for this year...

1. What was your happiest event?

My dad and his wife Jo moved back to Scotland. Welcome home Grandad & Nanny Jo :-)

2. What was the saddest thing to happen?

My close friends have had to deal with some very sad situations, I'm not going to list them all here - you know who you are. I still can't comprehend why bad things happen to good people.

3. What was the most unlikely thing to happen?

Despite hoping, wishing and planning, I didn't think it would actually happen... but we sold the marital home and I'm now settled in a new house.

4. Who let you down?

Last year I said that it was myself that let me down, and I think I'd probably still agree with this. There's been a lot of change this year though and I'm learning to be more confident and assertive.

5. Who supported you?

I've been seeing a counsellor on a weekly basis, since the summer time. I've come on leaps and bounds since then.

6. Tell us what you learned.

Everything happens for a reason.

You can't do it all... take help when it's offered. I had a horrific eye infection earlier this year that took two courses of oral antibiotics to get rid of it. This all came at a time when both little ones had chicken pox. It was tough.

7. Tell us what made you laugh.

My amazing boyfriend makes me laugh all the time. And he's handsome too! I'm feeling very lucky.

8. Tell us the things that made you cry.

Turns out I'm a weeper... I've cried lots this year. Over silly stuff. Songs on the radio, at scenes in movies (that aren't even upsetting!)... I've cried talking to my counsellor, I've cried talking to friends & family... I've had friends that have had to deal with horrific things this year, and I've cried for them. I'm hoping that in 2014 there will be less tears and more laughter, for all of us.

9. Tell us the three things your child or children did to make you feel proud.

This is an easy question to answer... I can think of three big changes that my little ones have done that have made me super proud:

The littlest has made the transition from her cot to a big girl bed, and she's been an angel. Staying in her big girl bed all night.

In addition, she is wearing big girl pants, and is dry through the night. No more nappies!

My son has given up his dummy. Santa took it on Christmas Eve and replaced it with a Batman cuddly toy. He's asked for it only twice since it went.

10. Tell us the things that made you proud of yourself.

This year, I went to my ex's house on Christmas morning and had breakfast with him (& my sister came too) before the kids woke up and opened their Santa presents. I'm glad that we're able to be civil with each other and I'm proud of the way I've dealt with the situation over this year and last.

I'm also getting much better at making big decisions on my own (with a bit of help/advice from others). This month we sold my car (a 4x4) and I downsized to a saloon...this will save me so much money in the long run. I picked the car (nearly) by myself and I'm really happy with my decision.

I've also hit my highest page views on the blog this month. I'm rather proud of that too :-)

11. Tell us the challenges you overcame.

Standing up for myself when dealing with others. I'm still not there yet, but I've certainly improved since last year.

Last year one of the parenting challenges I was dreading was ditching the dummies, but we did it and it wasn't as much of a big deal as I had anticipated.

I also successfully completed the Project 333 challenge... living with 33 items for 3 months.

12. Tell us the things you would like to change about your life in 2014.

Simple, I'd like to get divorced, draw a line under that chapter in my life and move on.

Hope you enjoy the new year celebrations, and I wish you happiness, health & success in 2014.

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{January Joy - 25th Jan}

The #JanuaryJoy prompt for today is 'do something/go somewhere you have never been before...'. 

Hmmmm..... this certainly got me thinking!!

What could I realistically do that I haven't done before?? *puts thinking cap on* (and wheesht you all with the dirty minds!!!!)

Today is Burn's Night and I've never hosted a Burn's Supper before, but it's sort of short notice to organise something... next year perhaps!

I'm reckoning I should try and do something Scottish to celebrate Robert Burns so I think this morning the kids and I will bake some shortbread. This is something I've never done before, but it's one of my resolutions to bake/cook more with the children and I've managed quite a few things in January so far.

 

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We're also going to a friend's for lunch so it would be nice for us to have something homemade to take with us. 

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If we can get a recipe that works, perhaps this will solve the problem of what to put with the heart straws for our Valentine's Day favours!

Next week is the last week of Florence Finds #JanuaryJoy - I've really enjoyed it and Rebecca's prompts have certainly got me thinking. Just 4 more to go... can you believe January is nearly over already!?!

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{January Joy - 1st Jan}

So, it is my intention to join in with Florence Finds January Joy... I'm not promising I'll have a post for each of the items, but I will do my best. I'm sat at my desk, at 9.45pm on New Year's Eve writing this post which I will schedule for tomorrow. The kids have been fast asleep since 7.30pm and I've enjoyed an evening to myself, painting my nails a nice sparkly pink for 2013!

The first item on the list is to make some resolutions. I've already been giving this some thought, and sadly enough I have a note in my iPhone with a few resolutions that have come to mind during the last few days or so. But again, I'm not making any promises. If I can do one or two from this list I'd be happy!

1. Get organised

In particular, I'd like to start meal planning and cook more from scratch. I've been far too lazy of late! But as well as the food, I'd like to plan ahead with friends & family for play dates, visits etc. I've been a bit better at this over the past few months and what a difference it makes to have things organised in advance.

I bought a new family calendar today to replace my old 2012 one and I'm feeling inspired and motivated!

{K Two Family Calendar}

2. Bake more regularly with the little ones

{Fairy Cakes}

3. Make further progress with my 35 at 35 list

So far I've ticked 7 items off my list, with one item lined up for January, and hopefully a sky dive in the Spring (eek!). 

4. Handle my finances better

I have to admit that I'm fairly rubbish with money. I want to start saving money properly, pay off my student debt and just be a bit more sensible.

5. Get crafty

I pin all these amazing ideas... and occasionally I get around to doing something with them, but I'd like to spend a bit more time getting crafty, especially now that the kiddies are getting a little bit older.

{Homemade Christmas gifts}

So there you have it, five resolutions that I'd like to try and stick to for 2013. I'm sure there are more that I could have added to that list, but that will keep me going I reckon!!

Have you made any resolutions, what are they?