
Picnic ideas
One thing families really enjoy in this hot weather is eating outdoors -al fresco. Ideally taking place in a scenic landscape such as a park, or at a public event open-air theatre or music. So grab a picnic basket, blanket and a few outdoor games and enjoy.
MoZZipatch™
Creams, lotions, sprays and plasters all packed in preparation for a get-away or day out? Cut down on your packing by simply slipping a couple of new MoZZipatch™ insect repellent patches into your pocket. Mosquito bites can play havoc with your summer plans and cause distress for all ages but a new, botanically proven, spatial repellent MoZZipatch™ will help ensure pesky mosquitoes buzz off this summer – and cut back on your preparation when you’re out and about this summer.
Ideal for everyone, including those with sensitive skin, MoZZipatch™ is the first natural and effective shield against mosquitoes to launch in the UK. Simply peel off the adhesive patch and apply to clothing, bedding or a nearby object such as a baby stroller or carrier – not on skin. The smell of the active ingredient is pleasant and natural with a subtle hint of lemon and it goes on working for up to 8 hours as a spatial repellent creating a kind of anti-mosquito force field.
MoZZipatch™ comes in a box of 12 patches for a RRP of £4.99 available from www.mozzipatch.com (free UK delivery), selected Tesco, ALDI, Morrisons and Asda stores, WH Smith international airport stores and online with Ocado, Tesco and Amazon.
Brioche Pasquier.
French Family run bakery has spotted a trend for people using brioche in unusual ways and not just as a snack anymore. It is becoming more of a trend to use brioche in savoury dishes, so they have created some stunning recipe content using their Pains au Lait.
Below is Summer Pains au Lait Pudding, Char-Grilled Courgette and Brie Pains au Lait and Le Hot Dog Pains au Lait (there is even a mac and cheese hot dog below).
Below is the Asian Prawn Pains au Lait, Ice Cream Pains au Lait with Salted Peanut Butter Sauce and finally the Hot-Smoked Salmon Splits with Indian Salad.
Example of the recipes have been created using Pain au Lait by Brioche Pasquier, a french family bakery founded in 1936. For more information and recipes, visit the Brioche Pasquier website http://www.briochepasquier.co.uk/home/
Char-grilled Courgette and Brie Pains au Lait
What a great flavour combo! Simply split some Pains au Lait, then fill them with char-grilled courgette, French brie and a few pomegranate seeds. Finish off with chia seeds for a little added flair.
Serves 4 Preparation time: 20 minutes
8 Brioche Pasquier Pains au Lait
Butter, for spreading
6 baby courgettes or 2 medium, thinly sliced lengthways
2tbsp olive oil
150g French brie, at room temperature
50g pomegranate seeds
A few chia seeds
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Basil leaves, to garnish
1 First of all, split the Pains au Lait and butter them lightly.
2 Heat a char-grill pan or the grill. Brush the courgette slices with olive oil and char-grill or grill them in batches until tender. Cool on kitchen paper, then season them with a little salt and black pepper.
3 Share the courgette slices between the Pains au Lait, then top with chunks of Brie. Serve, scattered with pomegranate seeds and chia seeds and garnish with a few basil leaves.
Cook’s tip: Swap pomegranate seeds and chia seeds for a very light sprinkling of nigella seeds – also known as black onion seeds.
The Breadren Summer Picnic:
Try their salads inspired by the chef’s grandmother – zingy bher puri with coconut and tamarind, raw mango and carrot salad, turmeric potatoes all mopped up with dhal breads and chickpea & herb pancakes.
And they haven’t forgotten pudding either! Aromatic fennel & cardamom cookies are nutritious but with all the delight of a naughty treat, and our summer berry coconut chia pudding features amazing local berries from Chegworth Valley, who also make the apple juices included to wash down your utterly wholesome and delicious picnic.
Believe it or not, the entire picnic is vegan, made without gluten and contains no refined sugar.” www.breadren.com/the-breadren-summer-picnic/k8gkhmf1wwcbrkntvtkmh2kejy2ibn
New Heart of Nature White Quinoa Bread!
This is delicious bread with all of the flavour and ability to make a summer sandwich without the sugar & additives. Heart of Nature bread, a unique Vegan, Veggie loaf packed with super seeds and wholegrains, now has a delicious new, protein rich addition to the range, “White Quinoa’. The range which claims to be one of “the healthiest breads in the world”, packs each loaf with health boosting whole grains, super seeds and fruits including Chia, Pumpkin, Rye, Goji Berry and plum which is then baked without wheat, yeast nor dairy.
The Heart of Nature bread offers a host of vitamins in each slice, including C, E B6, A and F, plus brain and skin enhancing Omega-3 oils. Baked with zero added sugar, additives, or GMO, The Heart of Nature comes in seven varieties; New White Quinoa, Prune, Chia, Cranberry, Goji Berry, Black Cumin, and Original.
Topped with a much-loved avocado smash and squeeze of lemon it makes for a super nutritious summer lunch or pack it into the picnic basket with some hearty hummus for alfresco feasting at its best. Each loaf is made to a traditional Polish recipe, where bread is not just an everyday staple, but held at the heart of their culture, offered as a symbol of hope at wedding ceremonies that the couple will never go hungry.
The Plum and Original loaves are now available in Waitrose priced at £2.99, or find the full range in WholeFoods stores priced around £3.99. Alternatively, order online at www.puregrainbread.com.
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By Penny McCarthy
Penny McCarthy is a seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of Parents News UK, a pioneering publication launched in 1993 to serve the needs of busy parents in Southwest London. Alongside her husband, Fergus McCarthy, Penny played a crucial role in the rapid expansion of the printed edition, which grew from a local startup to a widely circulated monthly publication with a reach of 192,000 copies across Kent, South London, and beyond. Under Penny’s leadership, Parents News quickly became a trusted resource for families, providing valuable information on education, entertainment, sports, and family-friendly events. Her vision helped the publication extend its influence with franchises in Northern Ireland and Cornwall, catering to a growing demand for accessible, family-oriented content. In 1997, recognising the importance of digital media, Penny spearheaded the launch of Parents News UK Online. The website initially mirrored the content of the printed editions and has since evolved into a comprehensive online resource for parents, achieving significant popularity with up to 700 daily hits. In 2017, the publication transitioned fully to an online platform, continuing to inform and engage families across the UK. Today, Penny remains deeply involved in the ongoing success of Parents News UK, focusing on innovative advertising opportunities and future growth plans. Her dedication to supporting families through accessible and practical content has made Parents News a cherished name in households across the country.
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