What New Drivers Have To Remember*

If you are just about to start your driving adventure for the first time, it can be a very exciting time, but also something of a worrying one. Most people find that they get a bit nervous about being out on the roads for the first time, and that makes complete sense; it is, after all, a completely novel and frightening thing to do. But as long as you bear in mind a few essential things you should be able to keep yourself and those around you safe, and make the most of driving too. Here are some of the things you should try to remember as a new driver (and things I wish I knew).

One of the things that happens as you drive more and more is you often become more and more impatient. Once you start to drive on the public roads you are going to see this everywhere in other drivers, and you might be a little shocked by it at first. In order to stop yourself falling into the same trap you have to make sure that you are fighting against that same impatient impulse. If you don’t, it could end up costing lives, and that is something that you would find very difficult to overcome. Take care to hold on to your patience as best as you can.

Insurance Is A Legal Responsibility

If you are a driver in the UK you have to insure your car by law. Failing to do so will not only mean that you are going to be in trouble with the law, it could even cause you to lose your licence without any preceding action. Of course, you don’t want that, and besides – insurance is quite a useful thing to have. Even for minor incidents, insurance helps you to sort out when you are owed money, and it can protect you a great deal. Make sure you take out car insurance with Call Wiser or a similar provider before you drive your car. It really isn’t worth not having it.

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

As a driver you don’t necessarily need to know everything about how a car is put together and how it runs, but what you do need to do is to find out about the very basics of how a car works. Knowing that will mean that you can much more easily tell the mechanic what has been going wrong. It is also going to equip you with the ability to be able to diagnose a problem with your car in many cases as you drive,  which can help in a pinch and even make for a safer drive in the long run. So consider looking up some of the essentials about how cars work if you want to feel like a much safer driver on the whole. I’m still yet to master this, but luckily I have Bob on hand!

With these things in mind, you should be a much safer and more sensible driver, and you should find that you get a lot more out of it too.



The September Degustabox*

Box gifted by Degustabox
This is a PR box, this means there will sometimes be additional flavours or products than you’d get as a subscriber, I will highlight this within my post.

Another month and another Degustabox to review; this time with a “Family Sharing & Home Cooking” theme, and on first glance it looked like a very promising box indeed. Bob and I wasted no time in getting stuck in to the contents and our thoughts on each product (well, almost all of them) are below.

Bob’s eyes lit up as soon as he saw jelly and immediately added ice cream to the shopping list. These Hartley’s jelly pots are great for portion control and for a quick pudding with aforementioned ice cream. They cost 55p for one pot, or £1.65 for the three pack. A new staple in our cupboard for a quick sweet fix.

It’s definitely been soup weather lately! Amy’s soups are a favourite in this house and we always stock up when they are on offer. This organic vegetable barely soup is delicious and made for a perfect comforting lunch. The Peter’s Yard original sourdough crispbread was a great little companion!
Soup £1.89 and Crispbread £2.95 for a 105g pack.
Regular readers know by now how much of a snacker I am so getting to try anything new is always a fun time. We both loved these Emily veg thins- light and crunchy, the chipotle had a fantastic flavour to them. Highly addictive and full of fibre. Gluten free and vegan friendly too, we highly recommend looking out for these in Waitrose or ordering from Ocado or Amazon. 79p per bag RRP.

Recently I’ve got really in to Cider again and had heard good things about the Thatcher’s cloudy lemon. These is a lovely balance of sweet and sharp flavours and is gorgeous served chilled. Thatcher’s never get it wrong, we love this!
£5.50 for a pack of 4 cans.
Bob took this bottle of Lucozade revive to work with him one day and said it was a really nice and refreshing drink. Lightly sparkling and containing vitamins B3, B5, B6 and B12 this is a fruity little boost in a bottle and felt better than necking a bottle of Dr Pepper.
£1.49 per bottle.

Oh man, these biscuits have unleashed a monster in me. I cannot stop. They are so good, and lucky for me Bob hates chocolate and orange together so I don’t have to share! McVitie’s V.I.B. range is a premium take on their chocolate digestive range and the blood orange ones are just amazing. Also available in classic caramel or chocolate hazelnut- I’m yet to try either of those flavours but am on my third packet of these!
£1.79 a pack (I found them on offer for £1 in Waitrose the other week so keep your eyes peeled for offers!)

On to a few more wholesome snacks- I can’t say I was a huge fan of the protein balls (and I don’t have product info either, sorry!) but I know people rave about them, they just aren’t for me.
I did enjoy the chocolate hazelnut whip fulfil bar, it’s not my favourite flavour combination but I did really like it in this and the texture is awesome. This felt like an indulgent treat rather than a protein bar and was very filling for it’s small size and 156 calories.
I also really enjoyed the sweet ‘n’ salty almond bar from Rhythm108- a new brand to me, I was impressed with how rich this tasted considering it’s a vegan chocolate bar and I’d 100% get this again. Delicious!
Fulfil bar £2, Rhythm108 bar £1.49.

We love noodles, and we love quicky and easy meals so these five minute noodles from Naked were an instant win for us.
All you need to do is stir fry some chicken and veg and follow the instructions on the pack and you have a speedy and healthy dinner for two, a new store cupboard essential.
£1 per pack.
Bob is a maple syrup fan, and also a maple syrup snob, so the fact that this St Lawrence gold pure Canadian maple syrup met with his approval speaks volumes. Best enjoyed (in his opinion) on a stack of fluffy pancakes with crispy bacon, he’s living the weekend breakfast dream at the moment.
£1 per bottle.
These two snacks I actually gave to my Granddad to try as they are exactly the kind of thing he loves. He raved about the Drizzled Chocolish Nakd bars for ages! I don’t like raspberry and chocolate together but I’m now desperate to track down the other flavours to try for myself.
He also very much enjoyed the chocolate biscuit and hazelnut treat mix from Whitworths- he said the mix of textures and flavours worked really well and the bag didn’t last long!
Nakd bars £3 for 4, Whitworths £2 per bag.

Let me know if you’ve tried any of these products and what you thought in the comments, it’s always great to get other people’s thoughts.

If you’re new to Degustabox, it’s a monthly food subscription box that gives you the chance to try new and exciting products on the market whilst providing amazing value for money.
On a month by month basis the box costs £12.99 (with a discount for longer subscriptions) but the contents are generally worth far more than this as you can see if you do the maths.

If you’re persuaded to give Degustabox a go (and really, you should) you can claim £3.00 off of your first box (making it just £9.99!) by entering the code XOQGC at the checkout. It’s been a pleasure to work with the brand regularly over the last couple of years and it’s without a doubt something that I will continue to purchase long after our partnership ends. I love the monthly surprise and excitement as well as the chance to discover products I’d otherwise pass up on the supermarket shelves.

4 Effective Life Hacks for Healthier Skin*

Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

As the body’s largest organ, our skin plays a unique role in protecting us. However, it can also give us a glimpse into our overall well-being. Ever noticed that your skin breaks out when you’re feeling under the weather? That’s because our skin reflects what’s happening inside our body.

If you want to enjoy healthy, glowing skin all year-round there are some sure-fire hacks you can try. With these simple adjustments to your routine you can have healthier skin at any time:

1. Eat for your skin

We all know that a healthy diet can reduce breakouts, but did you know that some foods are known to be ‘skin-healthy’? If you want to enhance your skin try to incorporate tomatoes, mangoes, olive oil and green tea into your diet. With a mix of skin-friendly antioxidants, vitamins and nutrients, these foods will reduce the signs of ageing, protect your skin from UV damage and even help to heal wounds.

2. Manage stress

It’s normal to have some stress in your life but excessive levels of chronic stress can have a damaging effect on your skin and your physical health. While a facelift might hide the visible impact of stress, it won’t change what’s happening inside your body. By learning how to manage stress in a healthy way, however, you can reduce your stress levels and enhance your complexion. From learning to say ‘no’ to practising mindfulness, there are numerous ways you can change the way you respond to stress.

3. Prevent dry skin

Dry skin is an extremely common issue but it’s one that can be hard to treat. If you have naturally dry skin or if you’re exposed to environmental factors which dry out your skin, it’s important to keep it well hydrated. Rich moisturisers and serums can be a great way to trap moisture in the skin, which will prevent it from becoming dry, scaly and itchy. However, drinking plenty of water and staying properly hydrated is also important if you want to stop your skin from drying out.

4. Check your hormones

If your usual skincare routine isn’t resolving your skin issues, it might be time to get your hormone levels checked out by a professional. When your hormones are out of balance it can lead to breakouts, acne, hyperpigmentation, dry skin and many other problems. However, it’s relatively easy to have your hormone levels checked by your doctor or physician. If there are any underlying issues, accessing the right treatment can resolve the cause of the problem and make your skin healthier.

Enjoying Healthier Skin

Your lifestyle has a major impact on the health of your skin, but your skincare routine also plays a big part in how your skin looks and feels. As well as making changes to your diet and lifestyle, you can enhance your complexion by finding a skincare regime that works for you. With the right products, daily cleansing, moisturising and nourishment can help to keep your skin in tip-top condition.


Silver Linings To Take From Lockdown*

There is no doubt that lockdown has posed challenges for all of us. We’re missing friends, it’s odd to see everyone in masks, and it’s virtually impossible to escape scary headlines. Despite the tough times, there have been silver linings. As we look forward to the future with a degree of uncertainty and trepidation it’s important to try and be positive. Here are some silver linings to focus on. 

Embracing a simpler life and valuing time

When the lockdown was first announced the vast majority of us suddenly shifted to a routine that involved spending all our waking hours at home. Pre-Covid-19, most people complained about a lack of time and being unable to take a rest or devote enough hours in the day to seeing their nearest and dearest or indulging hobbies and interests. Fast forward, and a global pandemic caused us to reassess what is important to value our time and to take the opportunity to spend more time with our families even if that meant hosting weekly virtual quizzes or spending an age on Facetime every day. With social events and work commitments cancelled, we embraced a simpler life, and for many of us, there was a sense of relief. Moving forward, we can learn from our lockdown experiences and use our time more wisely in the future. Try not to feel pressured into saying yes all the time or feeling like you need to have plans in the diary every single weekend. Take a step back, rest, and devote your time to people and interests that make you feel happy. 

Photo by Jane Palash on Unsplash

Getting to grips with our finances

The Covid-19 crisis has caused most of us to think about money. For some of us it’s been a time to save, to cut out luxuries and to build a foundation for the future. For others, it’s been an anxious time with incomes reduced and jobs lost. If you are struggling financially, there is help available, and it’s best to tackle any problems head-on before they get worse. Getting into debt is nothing to be ashamed of, and it can happen to anyone, especially at a time like this when people are losing their jobs on a daily basis and it’s harder to find new roles. If you’re finding it hard to keep up with bills, your credit card balance is increasing or you’re thinking about borrowing money, contact your bank and look for advice on the government website. There are support schemes and programmes running, and you may be able to postpone or temporarily freeze payments or increase benefits. Take a look at sites like https://www.dtss.us/freedom-and-success-education.html for more information about your rights when it comes to dealing with debt, and don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for advice. You can contact advisers at your bank or get in touch with debt charities. 

Photo by Fabian Blank on Unsplash

Focusing on our health and wellbeing

A pandemic is a stark reminder that we should never take our health for granted. Many of us have used the lockdown to get in shape and think about ways we can improve our physical and mental health and this will be beneficial for years to come. Making simple changes to your lifestyle can make a massive difference, and it’s important to understand the importance of looking after yourself. Make sure you get enough sleep, eat well, move your body more and take steps to protect your mental health. Surround yourself with positive people, find an outlet if you’re feeling angry, frustrated or worried and express yourself. Be creative, talk to a friend or a family member or go for a jog in the park. Have confidence in your own abilities, be kind to yourself and seek help if you’re struggling. For more mental health tips, check out this useful article https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/top-tips-to-improve-your-mental-wellbeing/.

It’s also been shown that CBD can help with mental wellbeing by calming the brain and supporting the hippocampus. A daily intake of CBD from a trusted retailed like Blessed CBD can help us maintain a healthy emotional state.

Photo by Katee Lue on Unsplash

The Covid-19 crisis has been extremely tough, but there are some silver linings. Focus on the positives and use your experiences to work towards a brighter future. 


Podberry- my new snack addiction*

*Products sent to me for blog consideration, opinions are entirely my own*

There isn’t much I love more than finding a new snack, especially a savoury snack that satisfies the need to crunch something without being crisps.

I love it even more when said new snack literally lands in my lap, introducing me to something that I might never have known about.

This is exactly what happened with Podberry, crunchy pea snacks (made from freeze dried peas).
These snacks are made with Scottish-grown peas, grown and made in the heart of Perthshire. Freeze dried on the farm before natural flavours are added, enhancing the sweet taste of the pea, the product is then packed ready to enjoy.
Available in four flavours; sea salt & balsamic vinegar, sweet chilli, ham hock and parmesan & truffle these are available n Morrison’s and Lidl across Scotland but also independent retailers across the UK or delivered straight to your door via the Podberry website.
Each pack is 20g with an RRP of £1.

They look exactly like dried out frozen peas and weigh almost nothing. I jumped straight in with the parmesan & truffle flavour as I had no idea what to expect from it and within seconds I was hooked.
I had no clue what to expect from the texture, but I really loved it- crunchy and light and the flavour was a winner. I wasn’t sure I’d like such a complicated sounding flavour combination but I wish I had more of these, I really do. I forced a few on an sceptical looking Bob, which I then regretted as he wanted more. Damn.

The other flavours were equally delicious- the sea salt & balsamic vinegar perhaps not as strong as I would have liked but yummy all the same. Oddly the flavours I was most worried about (the parmesan and also the ham hock) were my favourites as they both married so nicely with the sweetness you get from the peas.

It’s so hard to accurately describe these little packets of joy, they are unlike any other snack out there. The entire range is also completely vegan, high in protein, low in fat, gluten free and 1 of your 5 a day. Perfect for on the go and surprisingly filling for something so light.

I’ll 100% be stocking myself up on these once payday comes, and I thoroughly recommend them to anyone else who loves quirky snacks or is searching for a healthier option.
Podberry, you’ve kind of blown my mind with these. Thank you!