Ok so it’s official, another icon just like Michael Jackson has gone. Why oh why do the things we know and love have to change?  What am I so upset about? Well would you believe it’s Cadbury chocolate?

The cats out of the bag. Yes the chocolate is smaller, 20% less in fact. It’s in a different packet and downsized from a 250gm to a 200gm, and no you are not wrong, it doesn’t taste the same either.  That has also changed. They have decreased the amount of cocoa butter by 5% and substituting it with palm oil. Yuck!

Cadbury chocolate is like the holy grail. Don’t they know that it’s part of our history and they can’t mess with that?  It’s one thing to have changed the packaging, we can live with that.  Then there’s manufacturing it in Australia, not ideal but yes we can live with that too, but to change the recipe, are you kidding? 

What’s that saying ‘if it aint broke then don’t fix it’?  Why mess with something that is a huge success and further more what kind of bozos do they think we are?  Did they think we wouldn’t notice them changing the taste?  How can we not notice the taste, the new chocolate is awful. It definitely has that Kremelta taste.

Cadbury on the other hand are claiming that it is the first time they have changed the look of the blocks of chocolate in 25 years and the 50gm reduction is so they can make the blocks more affordable.  But seriously it sounds pretty lame to me. Whilst we don’t like to have to pay more for our favourite chocolate, most of us would if it meant it stayed our favourite chocolate.  If we wanted cheap and nasty, there are other brands we could buy. We don’t need Cadbury to force us to buy cheap and nasty. They also say they have cut the price they sell to retailers and that means we shouldn’t be paying any more than $3.99 for 200gm block. 

Cadbury also claim that the change in recipe shouldn’t affect the taste and that it should be softer. The good news they say is all the base ingredients are from New Zealand, whoope is all I say to that.  It still doesn’t change the fact that it doesn’t taste the same, in fact bloody awful springs to mind and no I wont be sneaking it into my trolley anymore under the guise it’s for my husband.

It’s off in search of a replacement now. But maybe its for my own good. Do you have any idea how long I have to walk on the treadmill to burn off a block of chocolate?  Doesn’t bear thinking about really.  Shame on you Cadburys.

Price:$3.99  200gm block                                      Available:  all supermarkets

  

I discovered a little helpful gem the other day when we were all home unwell.  I was really annoyed to have gotten sick as I was determined that it wasn’t going to happen this winter.   I had made the big, brave, grand statement last year and announced to anybody who would listen that I was not going to be sick this winter.  Ah wrong.  Went down in a screaming heap like a baby and managed to take this kids down with me.  Pathetic really.

How was I going to make this better because there’s something really bad when you are a mother and and you know you are responsible for children being sick and at home for days on end.   There is also that ”let me out of this house, I haven’t been to the shops for a week” feeling as well.

Ok what can I do, well along with the Iron Melts, I stumbled across my trusty old Beroccas.   We all know how good they are, but up until now I have never been able to get the girls to drink them and even with the entertainment value of having races to see whose Berocca dissolves first.   Sad I know, but did I mention we had been at home for quite sometime, it’s amazing what we find to amuse yourself. “

I know that you are all saying Beroccas have been around for ages, but they aren’t something I thought of because you had to drink them. Children aren’t always willing to accept sometimes you have to just drink something to get better, but I still tried the Tropical flavour and that was definitely a no go.  In fact, I even got  a “that’s disgusting Mummy” so that was ruled out pretty quickly and with no room for negotiation.  But by chance I came across another bottle which happened to be Orange flavour and thought I would give it one more go and we hit the jackpot.  I think to quote them, the word “yummy” was used and “Mummy it tastes like Fanta”. 

Every morning we all had a Berocca and I do have to credit this with the girls returning to school sooner than I thought they would be able too.  It’s really hard to find something you can give children, when they don’t like swallowing tablets and this really has become a big hit in our busy family.  If you like the taste of Orange, then this is great to help you guard against all those Winter bugs.

You can buy them in a single tube of 15 tablets for $14.50 or the better deal is to but them in a two pack for $20.00.  Add this to your list to keep you healthy and well, what with all these crazy bugs out there we need all the help we can get.

Just remember you can’t go wrong with the Orange flavour.

Available:All leading Supermarkets and Pharmacies          Price:$14.50  one tube

$20.00 for two tubes

  I’m often asked what products do I really rate as the best I’ve used and often that’s a question I really like to give some thought to, because as you know I like to recommend things that really work.  One of my all time favourite beauty products is Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant. No it’s not a plant fertiliser, it’s actually a face scrub which smoothes away dead cells and leaves your face clean and helps with cell renewal.

It’s not like any face cleanser I have used before which is why it’s a product I always go back to because I get really good results from it.   What makes it unique is that it’s a powder that you shake into the palm of your hand and then mix it with water to activate it.  This then releases the Papain, Salicylic Acid and Rice Enzymes which smoothes the skin and allows the Licorice and Bearberry to brighten the skin giving it a clean and fresh look. 

Now if all this sounds a bit to much like the ingredients to ‘Ready Steady Cook’, I completely understand and my advice is not to get to bogged down in what’s in it because it does work.  I must say after using it for a while my skin did feel better, it was smoother and it’s also gentle enough to use on a regular basis.

It is quite expensive to start with as it’s $120.40 for a bottle, but in its defence this lasted for a long time.  Because it’s a powder you just don’t use very much, it seemed to never run out and even for me who subscribes to the ‘more is better’ theory in life, it took a long time to use it all up.

Note:  You must remember to keep the top on it as it is a powder which you don’t want to get any moisture in and I kept mine on the shelf outside my shower.

The best part about all this,  is that you can now buy all your Dermalogica on line and they will ship directly to you.  How easy is that.  www.dermalogica.co.nz

This a great daily cleanser that I found did work and I really like the result I got from using it over a period of time.  It’s on my ‘to do list’ to buy some more.

Price:$120.40                                    Available:www.dermalogica.co.nz  or any beauty therapists that stock the Dermalogica range

It has to be said that while a recession isn’t a great time for most, it certainly gives us the opportunity to pick up a bargain or two.    Bendon’s latest sale is buy one bra and get 50% off your second bra. That is effectively 25% off when you buy 2 bras. It’s a good deal and gives you a chance to pick up your favourite bras at a reduced price. 

Remember, when you buy a new bra, it is a good idea to take the opportunity to get professional help with the fitting.  70% of New Zealand women are wearing the wrong bra size or style.  Getting it wrong can affect posture, cause back pain and lead to sagging breasts.

The sales only lasts for 2 weeks so make sure you don’t miss out.

  I would love to tell you all that yes I am in fact invincible and no I am too busy to get sick. But I would be lying as this week has seen me recovering from the flu,  along with both of my children.

So how do we stay well when all we are at the moment is surrounded by colds and winter chills.  What with one day being beautiful, clear and in double digits, the next it’s practically snowing outside our window.  It’s no wonder we can’t plan for what’s next and stay well.  So what can we do to help combat one of the worst flu infected Winters we have ever seen.

Well a tablet we can take called Iron Melts, could go along way to helping us all stay a little healthier.  Each tablet contains Vitamin C, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 and Iron and would you believe me if I said they are really yummy.   They taste of strawberry and simply fizz in your mouth and dissolve.  There is no after taste, gentle on your stomach, gluten free and lactose free.  I have tested this on the girls with huge success and what’s more they go in search of them, amazing.

The other big plus is the combination of the Vitamin C and Iron together helps aid the absorption of the Iron into your bloodstream, in other words it works faster and more efficiently.

Grab some of these next time you are at the Pharmacy and add them to your winter line-up of ‘keep healthy vitamins’, I think they are great .

Available: All leading Pharmacies                                               Price: $12.99

For those of you who live in Auckland, tomorrow could be your lucky day.

Not being fortunate enough to have been able to go to one of these sales, I envy those of you who can, I hear they are not to be missed.  The prices are really good and there is definitely a bargain to be found.

If you like Trelise Cooper clothes but not how much they cost, this is your chance.  Be in quick, in this economic climate these bargains wont last.

   

You see there’s a really good reason I’m called the Shopping Queen.  I didn’t get my title for nothing, much to my husband’s despair it’s well earned and my latest purchase is no exception.  It’s a disaster, one even my children have said Mummy ‘what were you thinking’.  But to be fair it was packaged up so I couldn’t do the  ‘try before I buy’.  

I am always prepared to give something a go when I am told it’s a not to be missed out on and it’s the latest and greatest product on the market.

So you all don’t make the same mistake,  it’s called nimue Vitamin C Moisture Mist. You spray it on your face to lock in the moisture which helps with anti-ageing and provides the skin with well needed anti-oxidants.  It’s also supposed to make you feel good and give you a lift with the help of Phyto Endorphins to create happiness.  To be fair the only lift I got was the one I rode up and down in at my building, can’t say I noticed a happy feeling and my husband certainly won’t when he finds out how much I paid for it.

What they don’t tell you is that it’s smell is like rotten cabbage, which seems to linger on your clothes for ages afterwards and would make those around you question the last time you had a shower.  It really isn’t very nice and definitely not an indulgent $72.00 nice.

We could rename this as the ‘I want to be left alone spray’,  because that’s exactly what will end up happening and as much as you think everyone likes you, this is one sure fire way to end up standing on your own, it just stinks.  Now I can put up with a lot in the name of anti-ageing, I have had hair pulled out, face lasered and lots more all in the name of beauty but this really is ridiculous even for me.  A big old waste of money.

So save your pennies for something else more worthwhile, unless of course rotten cabbage is your thing.

Price:$72.00                                               Available:all nimue stockists

  

I was very generously taken to the House + Home Show held at the TSB Arena in Wellington on the weekend.   It would be fair to say I was excited about the prospect of looking at what is ‘new and cool’ for the home.  It would also be fair to say that I couldn’t have been more disappointed.

We went late on Saturday afternoon which you would expect to have been crowded with all those who were finished with Saturday sport and wanted some chill out time, but no.  It was very empty and really so was the whole Show.  If you are in the planning process for building you may have found it useful,  but when you really were just looking for those little extras it was hopeless.  It really lacked those products that they normally demonstrate and are only to be found at Home Show.  I am the Shopping Queen after all and love new, cool gadgets.  But alas, came home with nothing but the program.

I was with two other friends and they both felt the same and got nothing out of it either.  I don’t know if it’s a sign of the times and companies are holding back from these Shows right now, whatever it is, it wasn’t worth the trip.  You would be better off doing some research yourself and then visiting them directly.

I am glad I didn’t pay for my ticket, even if it was only $9.00  I still would have felt ripped off.  It was lovely to have been taken though, thanks Bridget.

Price:entry fee $9.00

This is one of my favourtie times of the year and it’s when Whitcoulls have their huge 50% off Card Sale.  Yippee, do you have any idea how much I spend every year on cards for everyone, a fortune.  So I always take this opportunity to go and buy up lots of generic cards to use during the year.

Don’t miss out, go and buy up any cards you think you might need for the rest of the year. I always file mine in an old shoe box so you can find them when needed.

                      

  

It’s cold outside and what better way to keep warm than drinking some Miso soup.  Now I know that it’s not everybodys ‘cup of tea’ but I really like it and I also like the fact that it is supposed to be good for you.  Better still, I have found a way to have it at home when I feel like it and I am looking for something to fill me up. I like things that have a slightly salty taste and this is perfect for me.

It has 156 kcal per 100 grams, which is not bad as a filler for lunch.  You get 12 sachets in a packet and for $4.39 for the whole packet that’s less than 36 cents per soup.  Now it doesn’t get any cheaper than that, now does it.  The Miso soup I get from my Sushi Bar is $1.20 a cup and this is just as good as that. 

It can be found in all the main supermarkets I have looked in, but you may have to hunt around as it is in different areas depending on the store. The best part about it is that my friend Alison showed me this and given I have no idea what it says on the packet, I was never likely to ever pick it up and it’s really nice to be able to make your own.  Also don’t look too close, as it really doesn’t look very appetising,  but don’t pay any attention to that it’s really yummy.

It has a long expiry date, so there are no worries about having to use it quickly and it can be easily separated to take in your bag for work or wherever.

Give it a go, you wont be disappointed, I even had a friend try it as well and he gave it the big tick too.

(Now this packet says 10 servings but the one we can buy has 12 in it.)

Available:All leading Supermarkets                          Price:   $4.39 (12 sachets)