A reusable straw is a drinking straw which can be used over and over again. The reusable straw burst onto the market in 2018 after the problem of plastic pollution was highlighted in David Attenborough’s Blue Planet 2 documentary. Shortly after, the UK Government announced its plan to ban the sale of single-use plastics and now there are an array of reusable straws available in various colours and materials including metal straws, bamboo straws and silicone straws. Pretty neat hey! Here are a few of our faves.

Metal Straws 

Metal Straws are the most popular choice of reusable straw. Made with high quality stainless steel, they are super durable so won’t break or bend, plus they are non-toxic, stain-free, rust proof, scratch proof and 100% recyclable. You’ll never have to replenish your plastic straw supply again, saving you money in the long run. They feature a smooth rounded sipping end and they are available in some amazing colours. These metal straws by Flow Barware are available in Rose Gold, Copper, Stainless Steel and a fabulous Iridescent Rainbow straw…...perfect for Unicorn lovers! (They really do exist!)

So I bet you are wondering - Are metal straws hygienic? Sure they are! Each pack comes in a cotton drawstring pouch, making them easy to carry. They can be safely sanitised in your dishwasher. Plus they come with a handy cleaning brush which slides in and out ensuring the insides stay super clean.

Why is it important to use a reusable straw? Did you know that approximately 78% of the world’s plastic is never recycled! One way in which you can make a difference is by ditching the single-use plastic straws in favour of a reusable metal straw. Not only are they super stylish and trendy, but they have many other benefits including:

Better for the Ocean & the Environment Plastic pollution is one of the greatest threats to our world and it is no secret that much of the world’s plastics find their way into the ocean, harming the environment and marine life. Landfills and community open spaces also see huge concentrations of plastic waste. We can help reduce this influx of plastic into our environment by choosing not to use single use plastic straws but to reuse a metal straws again and again.

Reduces your carbon footprint Switching to reusable stainless steel straws means you use less plastic, in turn lowering the amount of plastic you dispose of. If we consciously choose to stop using plastic straws there is less of a demand for manufacturing them, which in turn will lower the amount of toxic industrial waste associated with the manufacturing process of single use plastic straws.

Better for your health, BPA Free Plastic straws are made from petroleum derived polypropylene which can leach harmful toxins into liquids which disrupt hormone levels, affecting health. By using a metal straw you cut down on the exposure to these harmful toxins as metal straws are BPA free.

Reusable These metal straws can be used and cleaned over and over again.

Money Saving The good news is that metal straws are fun, functional and totally affordable. No need to keep purchasing single use straws, so you’ll save some money too!

Copper Straws - Flow Eco Straws £7.95  

Stainless Steel Straws - Flow Eco Straws £6.95  

Iridescent Rainbow Straws - Flow Eco Straws £7.95

If metal straws aren’t your bag then these bamboo straws make a lovely natural alternative.

Bamboo Straws

Bamboo Straws £6.95

Bamboo Straws are probably the best eco-friendly alternative to plastic straws. 100% natural and organic, they are completely biodegradable and don’t pollute the environment. Completely naturally grown, each Bamboo straw is totally unique and so the size of each straw can vary. Totally reusable and compostable these bamboo straws are perfect for your kombucha, sipping your sangria or simply pop one in your Pina Colada to turn up the totally tropical vibe.

Let’s not forget the kids! They love chewing down on a straw or two! Metal straws probably not a good idea, which is why these colourful silicone straws are safer alternative in preserving those pearly white’s

Silicone Straws 

Silicone Straws £6.95

Silicone straws are a great choice of straw for kids. A better alternative to plastic, these FDA approved, food grade silicone straws are made from soft silicone, which are gentler on children’s teeth. Plus they can be cut to any size! They are colourful, super durable and slightly wider than the metal and bamboo straws, making them perfect for kid’s juices, milkshakes and for sucking up smoothies.

See the full range of Flow Eco Straws at FLOW Barware Metal Straws

"Did you know that by the year 2050 there will be more plastics in the ocean than fish and It can take over 200 years for a plastic straw to break down!"

Below broadcaster and conservationist Sir David Attenborough talks about the challenges of plastic and his plastic message. We too can all do our bit to reduce single-use plastic and these Flow Eco Straws are a great way to get started.

Check out our list of 10 easy bake sale ideas that you can make with the kids as well as some free bake sale printables 

You're just settling down to watch your favourite TV show when someone suddenly remembers... it's the school bake sale tomorrow!!! which means they need something delicious to sell. Fear not! Whether you're baking for the School Fair, the Church Coffee morning or the Village Fete here are our 10 top picks for fun and easy bake sale ideas that are tasty, impressive and kid friendly, so you and your children can enjoy cooking them together.

“Easy Bakes 

   for your School Fetes"

Cake Pops

Cake pops are perfect for bake sales as they're fun to make, come individually wrapped and are the perfect size for kids. A cake pop kit gives you everything you need to create and display these bite size treats at your next bake sale. To make cake pops you can either use a cake pop mould or the more traditional crumble method. To start, either whip up a batch of your favourite cupcakes (or use leftover sponge if you're an avid baker) and crumble it into a basic buttercream. Next, form this mixture into small balls - kids love this bit as it generally involves getting messy! Once cooled, cover the balls in melted chocolate and dip into your choice of sprinkles. Get creative by adding decoration to create faces, animals or seasonal designs such as Christmas baubles or pumpkins. Check out Sugarkissed.net for more inspiration cake pops tutorials and recipes.

3D Cookies

Everyone loves a good cookie and they are surprisingly easy to make. Why not take your cookies up to the next level with these impressive 3D cookie cutters that kids will go crazy for. These 3D designs work well with any non-crumbly cookie mix such as a simple sugar cookie, gingerbread or shortbread. Get creative with food colouring in your cookie mix and finish them off with icing or decorations such as these characterful Edible Eyes.

Tray Bakes

Tray bakes have always been a staple at bake sales because they are easy to make and taste great. The possibilities are  endless when it comes to tray bakes – flapjacks, caramel shortbread or rice crispy squares are always snapped up at any bake sale. This no-cook tray bake is ideal for making with children. Be sure to use some Bake Sale Food Flags for an impressive and tempting display.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Squares Recipe

1. Stir together 210g digestive biscuit crumbs with 330g icing sugar, 260g peanut butter and 225g melted butter.
2. Press the mix firmly into the bottom of your tray (20x30cm works well).
3. Next melt 340g chocolate and pour this on top.
4. Chill until the chocolate has set then cut into squares.
5. Keep chilled until serving.

Mini Cupcakes

Mini cupcakes are becoming more and more popular recently. Their miniature proportions mean they look super cute and lend themselves to a host of interesting designs. If you're catering for a lot of children your favourite cupcake mix will go a whole lot further in a mini cupcake tin.

For a perfect child friendly recipe try these Strawberry Milkshake Cupcakes inspired by Hummingbird Bakery

Strawberry Milkshake Mini Cupcakes Recipe

1. Combine 35g butter, 105g plain flour, 125g sugar, ½ tbsp baking powder and a pinch of salt in a large bowl.
2. Add 105ml milk, 1 egg, 20g strawberry milkshake powder and whisk until smooth.
3. Bake at 170C (325F) for around 15 minutes (you can use mini cupcake liners or simply grease the tin before use).
4. Combine 250g icing sugar, 80g unsalted butter, 25ml milk and 50g strawberry milkshake powder.
5. Decorate with the icing and other finishing touches such as strawberry laces, gummy bears or white chocolate buttons.

Oreo Pops

If you're pushed for time then this fantastic bake sale idea is a winner. All you need is a couple of packets of Oreo cookies or other cream filled biscuits, Chocolate for melting, sprinkles, and some lollypop sticks. You will be amazed at how quick an easy this no bake recipe is, plus the kids will love them.

Oreo Pops Recipe

1. Firstly line a baking tray with baking paper and put the sprinkles in a bowl
2. Then carefully push a lollypop stick into the creamy part of the cookie
3. Melt the chocolate in a bowl over a pan of simmering water
4. Dip the cookie in the melted chocolate and then immediately dip into the sprinkles for full coverage or sprinkle from above for a more scattered effect
5. Place the lollypop stick on the baking tray to set

Smiley Pizza

For something a little different why not try savoury mini pizzas? Cut out the bases from basic tortilla wraps and sprinkle on some mozzarella (the firmer type works best if you can get it). Next, add your choice of toppings – tomato pasta or BBQ sauce, vegetables and ham or pepperoni all work well. Get creative with your children making pizza faces, then bake until the cheese is golden. These mini pizzas are great hot or cold and can be made the day before.

Love Heart Cakes & Food Flags

Create irresistible love heart cakes with this easy to use silicone heart shaped cake mould Simply use it like a normal cake tin, using your favourite sponge cake recipe and once your cake has baked and cooled you can slice it into 6 equal portions, creating 6 delicious Love Heart Cakes. All you need to do then is decorate with buttercream and perhaps some of these delightful vintage style food flags to tempt your cake buyers.

Cherry Pie Pops

If the kids like Cherry pie then they are gonna love these Cherry Pie Pops. Quick, easy and perfect for Bake Sales. All you need to make these scrumptious pie pops is some supermarket sweet shortcrust pastry, a can of cherry pie filling and some oven proof lollypop sticks (Remember not to use plastic ones!!). You'll also need a little flour for dusting, an egg white for glazing and a fluted cookie / pastry cutter.

Cherry Pie Pop Tops Recipe

1. Heat the oven to 190C or 375F
2. Dust your worktop with a little flour and roll out the pastry dough
3. Cut out pastry circles with the cookie cutter and place a lollypop stick firmly onto the pastry circle, so that it is pretty much in the middle.
4. Open the can of cherry pie filling and place a cherry with a little of the juice on the centre of the pastry circle.
5. Dab a little egg white around the edge of the pastry circle and then place another pastry circle on top, ensuring that the edges seal together. You can use the prongs of a fork of the end of a lollypop stick to create decorative design around the edge.
6. Glaze the pie pop with the egg white and bake in the centre of the oven for 12-15 minutes until golden

Cheats Cupcakes

Now there is nothing wrong with getting a little help sometimes, especially if you are attempting a last minute baking extravaganza. Why not call upon the fairy cake godmother Betty Crocker to give you a helping hand. With so many delicious flavours to choose from these supermarket bought cake mixes and buttercream icings are a life saver. Make your cupcakes extra special and more “home-made” looking by choosing some gorgeous cupcake cases and make a dazzling display with a beautiful cupcake stand. No-one will know and you will be deemed a domestic goddess!!

Chocolate Covered Pretzels

Now these really are something special! With the growing trend of putting salty and sweet things together, these Chocolate covered pretzels will not disappoint at your bake sale. Another non-bake recipe, all you need to do is melt some chocolate and get dipping an shaking. A great fun filled baking activity for the kids to get involved with too. You will need some Pretzel Rods, Plain, Milk or White Chocolate for melting (or you can use all 3) and some sprinkles. You will also need a baking tray lined with baking paper.

Chocolate Pretzel Recipe

1. Line your baking tray with baking paper
2. Place your sprinkles on a flat plate
3. Melt half of your chocolate in a microwaveable bowl using 50% power and 30 second intervals, stirring between each 30 seconds.
4. Add some non-melted chocolate and let it melt naturally. This will bring the chocolate down to the correct temperature to ensure a nice hard glossy finish.
5. Dip the pretzels into the chocolate ensuring that it goes two thirds of the way down.
6. Roll the chocolate covered pretzels in the sprinkles or drizzle with white chocolate.
7. Place on the baking tray to set.

If you can't find pretzel rods then this recipe works equally as well with marshmallows. Simply use a toothpick to dip and roll.

Free Printables  - Baked With Love

Why not check out these free Bake Sale Printables They are sure to make your culinary creations stand out from the crowd.

......And there you have it!! Our top 10 Easy Bake Sale Ideas that are creative, kid-friendly, impressive and of course tasty to boot !!

Your wedding day, one of the happiest days of your life. One which has to be special, memorable and absolutely perfect. Of course it is an exciting time and you want a nice dress, the perfect venue, delicious food and gorgeous flowers, so proper planning is essential if you want to get hitched without a hitch!! Every couple wants their day to be the best ever, not only for themselves but also for their nearest and dearest. A day which will be remembered forever. So how can you make your wedding celebration uniquely different? Well, with a huge rise in the popularity of home crafting and “make do & mend” we are seeing more couples investing a bit of time and creativity into “DIYing” some of the essential elements of their special day, plus it could save you a few pennies here and there too. Here are a few ideas to create your own DIY wedding, helping you to celebrate your day, your way.

DIY Wedding Flowers

£560!! that is the average amount you will be expected to pay these days for your wedding flowers. With a little creativity, some willing helpers and everyday kitchen items such as jam jars, tin cans and empty wine bottles you can create stunning floral displays with a wow factor for a margin of the cost. Along with some lace, ribbon , garden twine and wire your DIY floral decorations can be used to hang off church pews, to decorate your civil ceremony wedding venue or used as table decorations at your wedding feast. Keeping it seasonal will also keep the cost down. You can pick up inexpensive blooms such as daffodils, tulips and freesias in the spring or marigolds or gerberas in the Autumn. Carnations, roses and the staple of the wedding season gypsophilia, are cost effective, easily accessible flowers that are popular. Why not check out our Wedding Ideas pinterest board for more inspiration to help with your DIY Wedding Flowers.

Vase Centerpiece, Tin Can Table Decorations, Hanging Tin Can Garland,Wedding Flower Jam Jar,

DIY Wedding Decorations

Wow your guests with wonderful wedding decorations which you can make yourself. Remember those empty wine bottles? Not only can they be used as flower vases but they also make fabulous Table markers too. Bling them up with chalk board paint, glitter or hessian and lace and then simply add your table number. There are some great free printables around but we just love this Rustic Lace design, simply glue them to your bottles or insert into the cork. Table confetti is another popular wedding decoration and will make your tables look amazing. All you need is some pretty wrapping paper,old music sheets, paint sample strips, or newspaper and a paper punch (why not a heart shaped one!) and then punch away. This can be made in advance (in the evenings perhaps) ready to sprinkle on the big day…..and for the finishing touch why not hang up some wedding bunting too!!

Tin Can Lanterns, Rustic Lace Table Numbers

DIY Wedding Cake

The cutting of the wedding cake is a long standing tradition which symbolises the first task of the couple’s life together and is also a great photo opportunity for guests. So no doubt you’ll want your wedding cake to be picture perfect. A fully decorated pre-made wedding cake costs around £100 per tier, so a four tier cake is going to set you back a whopping £400. For a fraction of the price you can create a beautiful DIY Wedding Cake, but the trick is to keep it simple!! Depending on how many tiers you want, you can pick up ready made, ready iced plain cakes from supermarkets like M&S from between £54 - £130, plus you have the choice of fruit cake or sponge. Handy tip : Use fruit cake as your bottom tier to provide support for the other sponge tiers. Then all you need is some cake pillars, cake dowels, a cake topper, ribbon and some gorgeous fresh flowers. Roses are a fantastic flower to use on wedding cakes as they are always available, keep their shape and easy to co-ordinate with your colour scheme. Browse our pinterest board for some more DIY Wedding Cake ideas.

DIY Wedding Cake,How Much Cake Do You Need Guide

DIY Wedding Favours

Wedding favours are given by the newlyweds to the guests as a gesture of thanks for their attendance…. a little keepsake of the special day. Although, wedding favours have come along way from the traditional sugared almonds wrapped in tulle. We just love these 15 DIY Wedding Favour ideas , they are a little different and much more personal. With just a little time and effort your DIY wedding favours can be made direct from your home kitchen… a great idea for a girls night in. Kids favours are easy...they all love sweets!! These Mr & Mrs kilner jars are just perfect for filling with tasty goodies. Simply place on your favour table with some brown paper craft bags and your guests can help themselves. Finally check out this range of personalised wedding favour gifts for some fabulous best man and bridesmaid gift ideas.

DIY Wedding Favours,Personalised Kilner Jars,Mr & Mrs Gift Guide

DIY Wedding Entertainment

DJ’s and Bands are the most popular form of wedding entertainment, but if your budget won’t stretch that far or if you’re having a smaller celebration, then you can always create your own playlist and set up a dance area within your venue. For the non mover and groovers then why not provide some games such as giant Jenga or giant skittles... great if you have some outdoor space. Don’t forget the kids, they will need to be occupied too. These Mealtime Masterpiece placemats are perfect, just add some colouring pencils and you’ll have works of art in no time. Wedding photo booths are another excellent way to keep your guests entertained, plus you will get some pretty funny wedding pics with this set of Wedding Booth props.

There you have it!! Some super craft ideas to DIY your wedding and after all that you deserve a little something too. So sit back, open a bottle and browse our Wedding Gifts range including Personalised Mr & Mrs Gift Ideas and start adding to your gift wish list today.

…..and finally! Congratulations! on your forthcoming marriage. We hope you have the day of your dreams.

Follow Kitchen Gift Co's board Wedding Gifts & Ideas on Pinterest.

With wedding season fast approaching we thought we would give you an insight into some of our most popular personalised wedding gifts and unique gift ideas, so we have collected a few in this post to give you a little inspiration.

In many homes the kitchen is the most used room in the house, so buying a personalised gift for the kitchen will not only provide a memorable wedding gift but a practical one too.

Some of our popular gifts are Personalised Mr & Mrs mugs which make fabulous low cost personalised wedding gifts , personalised slate tableware will make a stunning feature on the newlyweds kitchen table and our glassware and barware gifts are also a popular choice for wedding gifts and include Champagne flutes, Decanters and even Engraved Wine Coolers.

A few more are listed below and all are available in our store..

THE FOODIE MUM

Foodie Mums rock! With a passion for cooking and nourishing her family, Mums who love to cook will never have an empty seat at the table. Creating memories and future nostalgia with every freshly cooked dish. If your Mum is always pottering around in the kitchen then consider one of these practical kitchen cooking gifts she can add to her culinary toolkit.

1) 3 in 1 Parmesan Grater  2) Personalised Oven Gloves  3) Copper Anysharp 4) My Family Cook Book

THE BAKING MUM

The Baking Mum! In other words The Goddess of the kitchen. What a treat if you have a Mum who loves to Bake…..your very own Mary Berry! Whatever her signature Bake is, you are sure to get extra brownie points by gifting one of our fabulous Baking Gifts.

1) Star Baker Rolling Pin  2) Personalised Baked with Love Mixing Bowl  3) Cherry Measuring Spoons 4) Personalised Baked with Love Apron

Or why not create her very own Afternoon Tea experience from the comfort of your own home for a fraction of the cost. All you need is some pretty bunting, table decorations, a selection of sandwiches, some scones, lashings of tea and of course cake! 

THE PARTY MUM

If you have a Mum who likes to party and loves to make everyone happy, then why not throw her a Mother’s Day party she will never forget. Wine, Gin, Cocktails….whatever her tipple we have a gift for that! 

1) Mum’s Measure Wine Glass  2) Gin Gift Set  3) Stemless Copper Wine Glasses  4) Cocktail Challenge Mats

THE ECO MUM

With a huge movement towards adopting a cleaner and greener living we have introduced a brand new collection of Eco-Friendly Gifts. If you have an Eco-Conscious Mum we are sure she would love something from this fabulous range.

1) Bamboo Lunch Box  2) Glass Water Bottle  3) Personalised Eco Soya Candle  4) Eco Reusable Travel Straw

FREE MOTHER'S DAY PRINTABLES!!

Check out these delightful free printable designs from Clementine Creative. A lovely way to keep treating Mum long after Mother's Day. They are beautifully designed and include coupons for Paint Nails, Breakfast in Bed, Coffee Date and loads more. Plus there is a printable for some pretty gift tags too. Click here to download

Join the Veggie 123 Challenge - National Vegetarian Week! 10th - 16th May 2021

The past year has seen a huge increase in immune supporting health practices with many more people limiting the amount of animal products they eat or fully adopting a vegetarian or vegan diet. According to The Vegetarian Society UK the main reasons for going veggie are:

Better for your Health

Has a lower environmental impact on the planet

Better for animals (no brainer!)

Could save you a few pennies

But where do you start? Strictly speaking, vegetarians don't eat any meat, poultry, or seafood. People can have many different dietary patterns and will call themselves vegetarians. We all know someone who says “I’m veggie now….but I do eat fish!” or those that still love a Roast Chicken Dinner every now and then.

So here’s the low down:

Vegans (total vegetarians): Do not eat meat, poultry, fish, or any products derived from animals, including eggs, dairy products, and gelatin.

Lacto-ovo vegetarians: Do not eat meat, poultry, or fish, but do eat eggs and dairy products.

Lacto vegetarians: Eat no meat, poultry, fish, or eggs, but do consume dairy products.

Ovo vegetarians: Eat no meat, poultry, fish, or dairy products, but do eat eggs.

Flexitarian/ Partial vegetarians: Avoid meat but may eat fish (pesco-vegetarian, pescatarian) or poultry (pollo-vegetarian).

It can be quite challenging to transition to a full on vegetarian diet, especially if you love a bacon sarnie!. Our top tip?.....Do it gradually! If you’re eating meat or fish every day of the week, then why not start having a “Meat Free Monday”. From here you can work towards eating a plant based diet 3 days a week and build on it from there. Only you can decide which vegetarian diet is right for you.

So which are the best vegetarian recipes to try? We say... keep it simple! There are some great meat substitutes available in most supermarkets, so if you like a spag bol or a cottage pie, just swap out the meat for quorn and you’ll soon be adding some tatsy veggie dinner recipes to your repertoire.

If you’re feeling a little more adventurous then check out one of our favourite Mary Berry Vegetarian Recipes. It’s a real crowd pleaser and family favourite any time of the year….The Vegetarian Lasagne!

INGREDIENTS

1 onion, chopped

400g button mushrooms, sliced

2 garlic cloves, crushed

2 Tins of chopped tomatoes

1 Tbsp chopped fresh thyme (or ½ Tbsp dried)

2 Tsp balsamic vinegar

a dash of sugar

2 Tbsp sun-dried tomato paste

500g baby spinach, trimmed

salt and freshly ground black pepper

6–8 sheets lasagne (fresh or dried)

CHEESE SAUCE

50g (2 oz) butter

50g (2 oz) flour

600ml (1 pint) hot milk

1 Tbsp Dijon mustard

250g (9 oz) Gruyère cheese, grated

INSTRUCTIONS

You will need a 1.8 litre (3 pint) capacity ovenproof dish.

Preheat oven to 200˚C/Fan 180˚C/Gas 6

Heat the oil in a large frying pan, add the onion and fry for a few minutes. Add the mushrooms and garlic and fry for 2 minutes, stirring. Add the tinned tomatoes, thyme, vinegar, sugar, tomato paste and spinach and fry for a further 5 minutes, until the spinach has wilted and the sauce is bubbling. Season with salt and pepper.

To make the cheese sauce, melt the butter in a pan, add the flour and stir for a minute. Whisk in the milk, add the mustard and half of the cheese. Season and bring to the boil, whisking for a few minutes to thicken.

Put a third of the vegetables in the base of the ovenproof dish. Spread a third of the cheese sauce over the top and then finish with half of the lasagne sheets. Continue until you have three layers of vegetables and cheese sauce and two layers of pasta. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Place in the middle shelf of the oven at 2 for about 30–35 minutes or until golden brown, bubbling around the edges and the pasta is tender.

If like us you love a bit of Mexican flavour, The Hairy Bikers Veggie Recipes include this quick and easy Veggie Tacos Recipe

For the refried beans

1 tsp vegetable oil

1 red onion, finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 tsp dried oregano

2 x 400g cans of black or pinto beans, drained

250ml vegetable stock or water

Sea salt and black pepper

For the veggie filling

1 tsp vegetable oil

100g sweetcorn

1 red pepper, deseeded and cut into strips

1 red onion, cut into thin wedges

200g butternut squash or pumpkin, diced

1 tbsp tomato puree

1 tsp chipotle paste (or more, depending on how hot you like it)

100g kale, cavolo nero or chard, shredded

For the avocado crema

1 avocado

juice of 1 lime

A few coriander leaves

2 tbsp half fat crème fraiche or soured cream

To serve

8 corn tortillas

½ red onion, finely chopped

A few coriander leaves and lime wedges

Instructions

First make the refried beans – heat the vegetable oil in a medium pan or a deep frying pan. Add the onion with a splash of water, cover the pan and saute until the onion has softened and turned golden brown. Add the garlic and oregano and cook for another couple of minutes.

Add the beans and plenty of salt and pepper. Pour the stock or water into the pan, then mash the beans with a potato masher or the back of a wooden spoon until about half of them are broken up. Simmer over a gentle heat, stirring to prevent the mixture catching on the bottom, until you have thick puree. Keep warm or reheat gently just before you serve the tacos.

For the filling, heat the oil in a large, lidded frying pan. Add the sweetcorn, red pepper, red onion and squash or pumpkin, then cook over a high heat, stirring infrequently so the vegetables build up a bit of colour on each side. The texture should be still al dente, with a light charring or browning around the edges. Stir in the tomato puree and chipotle paste and season with salt and pepper. Add 200ml of water, then pile the greens on top. Cover and simmer for several minutes until the greens are cooked through, then stir everything together.

For the crema, mash the avocado with the lime juice and a generous pinch of salt. Put the avocado in a small food processor with the coriander and crème fraiche or soured cream and blitz until the mixture is smooth but still flecked.

To serve, heat the tortillas in a dry frying pan or a pancake pan until they’re very lightly browned on each side. Keep them warm – a basket lined with a tea towel to fold over the tortillas works very well.

To eat, spread some of the refried beans over the base of a tortilla, then top with some veggie filling, avocado crema, red onion, a few coriander leaves and a squeeze of lime

There you go!....a few recipes we hope will inspire you on your veggie journey. If you want to find out more or want to take part in this years Veggie 123 Challenge, visit The National Vegetarian Week website where you’ll find lots more tasty vegetarian recipe ideas…..Enjoy!

https://www.nationalvegetarianweek.org/

Top 5 Ultimate Bar Gifts for Christmas!

Bar Gifts are always a popular choice at Christmas time and our Top 5 barware gifts offer unique gifts for whiskey lovers, gin enthusiasts, wine connoisseurs or budding mixologists! Shop the full range of  Bar Gifts |  1) Flow Classic Wooden Box Glasses & Stones 2) Flow Gin Set 3) Flow Mixing Set 4) Gold Whisky Stones 5) Wine Aerator

Top 5 Best Kitchen Gift Christmas Stocking Fillers

Oooooh! The excitement of waking up on Christmas morning to open a stocking full of lovely treats! Why not stuff your Christmas stockings with something a little different from our kitchen gifts range.  |  1) Telescopic Straw 2)  Legless Bottle Opener 3) Custom Cookie Stamp 4) Resuable Metal Straws 5) Wine Chiller

Top 5 Novelty Glassware Gifts for Christmas

Let the drinks flow this Christmas into one of our fabulous glasses. Wine glasses, Whiskey glasses, Gin glasses ...we've even got one for Pirates!  |  1)  Good Day Bad Day Wine Glass 2) Keep Calm Grandad Glass 3) Pirate Rum Tumbler 4) Rocking Whisky Glass 5) Gin O’Clock Hi-Ball Glass

Top 5 Kitchen Gadgets this Christmas

Who doesn’t love a kitchen gadget? You know those precious, yet practical little gifts you didn’t know you needed until you have it and then can’t live without it! Shop the full range of  Kitchen Gadgets |  1) Bar Craft Wine Bottle Opener 2) Anysharp 3) Garject 4) Pasta Server & Parmesan Grater 5) Zip Eat

Top 5 Personalised Christmas Gift Ideas

Looking for something unique or extra special? Check out our Top 5 Personalised Gift Best Sellers for 2019. There is something for the whole family - Perfect Xmas gift for him, for her and the kids!  |  1)  Wine Presentation Box 2) Rose Gold Wine Stopper 3) Bar Runner 4) Wooden Carving Board 5) Xmas Eve Santa Plate

Top 5 Novelty Christmas Kitchen Gifts

Spread a little festive fun with a gift from our Top 5 Novelty Christmas Gifts. This collection of cool, quirky Kitchen Gifts is a cracker and is sure to put a smile on Santa’s face! More  novelty gifts available in store.  |  1) Brown Paper Bag 2) Chili Herb Infuser 3) Mr Tea 4) Lid Sid Steam Vent 5) Hopside Down Beer Glass

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Don’t forget the Christmas dinner table entertainment! 

Check out this awesome Christmas Party Photo Booth for endless hours of fun and some interesting selfie pics!

Christmas Crowd Xmas Party Photo Booth

It’s Mother’s Day on Sunday 31st March, so we have put together a list of great Mothers Day ideas and kitchen gifts to give you a little inspiration on what to get for the woman who has everything and insists she wants nothing.. your Mum

Mothering Sunday is celebrated all over Europe and became an occasion for honouring the mothers of children and giving presents, presumably for being great Moms. Although it is increasingly being called Mothers day In the UK, Mothering Sunday is celebrated in the same way, by showing your Mum how much you appreciate her with flowers or a gift, so below are a few Mothers Day gift ideas.

Personalised Mothers Day Gifts

Everyone loves receiving gifts, but receiving a personalised gift which is unique will makes it a whole lot more special and memorable. Below is just a small selection of personalised mothers day gifts which are available in our store.

See all our Mothers Day gifts here: All Mothers Day Gift Ideas

Personalised Apron - A Personalised Apron For the yummiest mummy in town! | Personalised Teapot - Personalised Pink Teapot - World's Best Mum | Personalised Mug - She Is...Design | Personalised Wine Glass - She Is.. Mum is lovely Design | Personalised Mug - Pink 1st Class Mum Design | Personalised Glass Chopping Board - Baking Design | Personalised Blue Plaque - Heritage Plaque | Personalised Tea Cup and Saucer Set - Worlds Best Mum

Great Christmas Gift Ideas For The Kitchen

This festive season we have made it our mission to source the most fabulous, cool and quirky kitchen gifts, and Santa's little helpers have just delivered!! From Kitchen Gadgets to unique Kitchen Accessories we are confident that our wonderful range will inspire you to choose the perfect gifts this Christmas. Browse Gifts For Men , For Women and even for the kids, where you will find an exciting range of Baking Gifts. So pull up a chair, have a glass of mulled wine and shop for the whole family from your kitchen table....Merry Christmas!!

PERSONALISED CHRISTMAS GIFTS

If you are looking for unique and special gifts then take a look at our range of Personalised Christmas Gifts.

Below we have our Personalised Mince Pie Plate, Personalised Christmas Slate Door Plaque, Personalised Keep Calm Whisky Glass, Personalised Cheese Board and Knife Set, Merry Personalised Wooden Christmas Sign and Personalised Christmas Bauble just a small selection of our personalised Christmas gift ideas. View the full range here

BARWARE & BAR ACCESSORIES

Looking for gifts for men or quirky bar gifts? then look no further than our fabulous range of barware and bar accessories.

Some of our popular barware Whiskey Stones, Rocking Whiskey Glass & Ice Ball Gift Set, Wine Aerator Pourer, Engraved Bottle Stopper, Personalised Waiters Friend Set and our Personalised Stainless Steel Wine Cooler. View all bar gifts

NOVELTY KITCHEN GIFTS & GADGETS

We are sure that our fun and funky novelty kitchen gift ideas will tickle your fancy, they make great stocking fillers and secret santa gift ideas. View the full collection of novelty kitchen gifts and gadgets here or check out some of our top selling gifts below.

Hopside Down Beer Glass, Mr Tea Loose Leaf Tea Infuser and the Six Pack Novelty Apron - More Great Kitchen Gadgets More Gifts

Festive Photo Booth Fun

We new range of Christmas themed DIY Photo Booths perfect for some fun family frolics or office party antics!!

Take a peek at our fabulous range of Festive Photo Booths including Christmas Crowd DIY Photo Booth Set of 22 Festive Props and Disguises, The 1950's Inspired Retro Style DIY Photo Booth Set of 22 Festive Props and Disguises and the very popular DIY Christmas Kissing Photo Booth Set of 10 Festive Props and Disguises 

Fathers Day Gifts & Some Cool Ideas For Dad To Make His Big Day Extra Special

Yes!! it`s coming up to that time of year again when we celebrate Dads across the country. When is Fathers Day? we hear you ask.....well we are giving you fair warning before the special day so you have plenty of time to plan an extra extra special Father`s Day? A card, present, food and drink are essential elements of a great Father`s Day, so here are some Top Fathers Day Ideas.

Father`s Day Card

Whatever you do NEVER forget a Father`s Day Card, otherwise you could find that Dads chauffeur service has shut up shop. So do you go witty or heartfelt? Which ever you decide, why not try your hand at making your own. Homemade Fathers Day Cards are easy to make and are a great craft activity for younger kids to get involved with, making it much more special. We just love this very dapper FREE Father’s Day card printable.

A Father`s Day foodie feast is a sure fire way to stay in Dads good books. Why not get his day off to a great start by bringing him breakfast in bed. We just love this sunnyside fried egg shaper, perfect for eggs on toast and sure to make him smile. Accompany this with a first class cuppa in this super special First Class Dad mug. Why not use this Father`s Day Room Service printable to make it super special. (Extra brownie point alert!!!)

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Dad`s Chocolate Drop Cakes 

Don`t forget that Dads luuuurve cake too and homemade baked treats are definitely worth the effort. This recipe for Dad`s Chocolate Drop Cakes makes the perfect treat, plus you can top them with these FREE printable Father`s Day cupcake toppers for maximum effect.

Dad doesn't have a sweet tooth? well fear not, how about some of these easy to make man dinners from Mr Jamie Oliver’s recipe book. Check out this Scrumptious steak & stout pie or combine food and beer for the perfect Fathers day dinner with this  Sweet & spicy beer can chicken.

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The Gift

Cheffy Dad

• Personalised Dad apron
• Personalised Chopping board
• Hug Doug Spoon Holder

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Wine Buff Dad

• Personalised Wine Stopper
• Red Wine Decanter
• Personalised Corkscrew Set

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Grow Your Own Dad

• Personalised Garden Trug
• Head Gardener Travel Mug
• Personalised Kitchen Garden Tools Set

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Beer Lovin’ Dad

• No Ordrinary Dad Beer Tankard
• Dad Is Pint Glass
• Personalised Beer Bottle Opener

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Guarantee Dads taxi stays in service for another year

…..and finally for a total DIY Father`s Day and some family fun then the whole family can get involved by making a bunch of tasty treats, including jars of sweets and cookies, chutneys and pickles or homemade pop. Check out these FREE printable gifts tags, jar stickers and beer & wine bottle labels from the fab lia griffith, Surely this will guarantee Dads taxi stays in service for another year :)

Happy Father`s Day Planning!!