Oh to scan as I shop…

I seem to recall a number of years ago a mention of something about being able so scan your shopping as you went but then all seemed to go quiet. Roll on and recently my local Tesco store have introduced it.

I've been using it for a number of weeks now and I have to ask...where have you been?

In case you're not familiar with it, it involves picking up a scanner (you require to be registered with their Clubcard programme) and then, as you go around you scan the items you want and can then just pack them. Simple! Anything that cannot be scanned you can set aside while loose fruit & veg is weighed at stations and then a label printed for you to scan. Once completed, you go to the specific checkout area, scan a barcode on the screen, answer a few questions (anything you couldn't scan?) after which it begins to transfer the scanned items to the checkout.

Just a wee sample of a shop

I've absolutely loved it! I can now just go in and back out. I love how it gives you a running total of how much you've spent as well as how much you've saved. Any offers are also shown & it reminds you to scan all items in offers like 3 for 2 etc.

We used it a few the day before Christmas Eve for our final shop/ It took us an hour to run round with the scanner and only minutes to get though paying at the checkout given the size of the checkouts and that was only at 10am!

Yes there's the occasional security check once at the checkout but I've only had them the first few times that I've used but other than that, I can’t complain…well, I can. It’s only open for 12 hours and the trolleys are needing a wee cradle for the scanner to sit in when not in use (though I’m told their coming…wish they’d come sooner!)

Britney Spears Hairdryer @ Lidl

I'm not one for buying into celebrity endorsed products. But I couldn't helping noticing the ad in November....December....well. It was the last months of 2014 anyway, for a certain Britney Spears haircare products in Lidl.

What caught my eye, or should I say, made me investigate further was the prices that were being quoted...I mean....£10 for a hairdryer? I might question it, but then, a number of years ago, when wireless keyboards were still on the expensive side, I picked up one with mouse for £15. It's still going strong all these years later.

Anyway, I digress. Partially intrigued and partially in need of a new one, I went for it. Usually these deals don't last long, experience has taught me that, but managed to pick one up. And with a 3 year guarantee as well...so far this is sounding a good deal.

So here's a quick view of the box & contents:

So use? There are two different heat settings,; the obvious hot as well as the cold blast for style setting. There are also 3 heat settings. It's a very lightweight and I found that using it on the second speed setting was good enough for me with hair dried in approx. 15/20 mins .

There's is only one issue that I've had with it is the ease of changing the the different nozzles. It apparently should just be a case of popping one off and adding the other. It's the popping off that seems to be the issue as it does feel as if you could break the nozzle. Not that I have any reason to change the nozzle...I don't think I'll have any use for the diffuser in fairness.

Yes, it's a bargain, but if I manage to get 3 years out of it, then I'll be happy (no doubt it will die one day after the guarantee runs out...that's what happens, right?

Quick & Simple: Sweet & Sour Battered Chicken By Blue Dragon

There’s always something that catches you eye when you’re out shopping that you think, ‘Hmmm, fancy that’. And that was the case with Blue Dragon Sweet & Sour Battered Chicken. This wasn’t the first time I’ve tried something similar. They also do a crispy chilli beef version that, when we tried it, went horribly wrong (though we now know why!)
So what do you get: the batter mixture & a sauce.

The batter is easy enough to make. Simply add water measured in the cap and mix until the consistency of double cream. The mixture is meant for 225g of chicken but we managed to cover 400g (just!) You’re suppose to cook the chicken in a pan but instead I used the deep fat fryer and it seemed to work. Cooked the chicken for a couple of minute before removing and drying the excess oil off.
The sauce is simply heated and served either separately or drizzled over the chicken. We served our with rice.
It’s the first time that they finished product actually looked like the the image on the front of the label

It’s relatively quick & simple to make with minimum effort and perfect is you want to try something a little different. Having had success with this one, I think we’ll be having another bash with the crispy chilli beef one!

Sometimes…Crazy Works…

We've all been there, right? That moment someone suggests something really crazy and everybody laughs about it. Then someone says...'Well...why not?'

 

Well, I've bore witness to that over the last month or so. To let you understand, Glasgow 2014 were running auctions where you could either bid or buy directly items that were related to the Commonwealth Games. One such item that came up was the one of a kind statue of mascot Clyde that we affectionately dubbed UAC (Uniform & Accreditation Centre) Clyde. 

 

We decided we wanted to leave a legacy from the volunteers. Something special. During the Games there was trail of 25 statues around Glasgow, one being placed outside the Yorkhill Children's Hospital. No one knew what was happening with the 24 (one was stolen!) so we decided that since Clyde brought smiles to kids of all ages, why not try and get this special one? And if not, the money raised would still go to the charity. So it would be a win-win situation.

 

There was another from the Village but UAC Clyde meant something to the volunteers: we all had to come into contact with him at some point before the Games. Heck, even the Queen met him! So at first it was the Clyde-Siders raising money for him, then Host City Volunteers...before we knew it, we had volunteers from all areas of the Games wanting to pitch in. And boy did they! Not even an international e-money service blocking an account twice could stop us. We were ready to bid on him when...he vanished from the site.

 

Worry not. The story goes that someone heard what we were trying to do, spoke to some others in Glasgow 2014 and they pulled him from the auction, and gave him to us! We were shocked. But this meant that the money that was raised to buy him would also be going to the hospital. Cue another furious round of selling personal items, some that couldn't be replaced.

 

On Sunday, it all came to a head. A large group of volunteers from all sections gathered in a car park nearby and then, piped in by some lovely musicians, we headed to the hospital to officially hand him over. And the money? We raised an astonishing £6060! It was such a lovely end to what was an amazing experience. And apparently the kids are already loving their 'Smile Generator'!

 

So there is something to make you smile given all the evil that we hear about these days. Hope that it restores a little faith in humanity!

 

Photos © Vhari Lannigan & Allan MacBain

Glasgow 2014 : A Clyde-Sider’s Review

Well...hasn't time flown? Doesn't seem like 2 weeks ago we were just getting the 20^th Commonwealth Games in Glasgow underway and now it's all over. Had you asked me back on the 28th February 2013 whether I’d be picked for the Games I’d probably have said no, never mind being offered a position as photo team member in press operations. Then again, if you’d told me last year I would be in LA, I would have said the same!

To think that the real journey only started back in March at the Orientation event at the Emirates Arena.
Then it was all go! Seems it was no time at all until the opening ceremony… Or in my case, seeing the dress rehearsal!






Looking back, it’s all a little surreal with everything that’s gone on. Let’s start with the bizarreness of seeing athletes and officials getting on the trains, cycling in the streets. But after a few days of that, it seemed normal!

And now to the shifts. I'll admit that the first couple of shifts were a bit daunting but think that was because I didn’t really didn't know what to expect. But by the end it was all running smoothly. There wasn't really any difficulties, just learning how to balance what the photographers wanted but taking into consideration about those that had paid for tickets. Going to miss working with the lovely team mates :(

The medal ceremony music is now firmly ingrained into my mind having seen 7 medal ceremonies across the 11 days. I've been really surprised by how the spectators, no matter who the might have been there to support, got right behind every single athlete taking part and raised the roof several times (I'd hate to see roof repair bill lol) And it didn’t stop there. Even of the long journeys home people have been buzzing on packed trains. I don't think I've spoke to as many strangers in a while!

As for what else I got up to:

- I've taken photos for people (apparently being a photo team member means you can take pictures)

- Handed out free badges (thank you People Make Glasgow!)

- Been given a row by a kid for saying hello to other Clydesiders in passing on the train!

- Played tig in the SECC concourse (there's a phrase I never though I'd say.In my defence, the parent did involve me and we ensured we didn't cause a hazard! These were the Friendly Games after all)
- Been a walking information point
- Been Twitter support!

…and you guys thought all I was doing was looking after the photographers :)

 

My only regret is not being able to catch up with other Clydesiders outside of shifts. Feel I missed something there. But still, was a fantastic experience that I wish I could do it all again. Feels a little odd this week but think it’s got me wanting to volunteer more now.

Recommendation: Ochil Fudge Pantry

Ok, so it’s not like me to have a post about a product but it’s very rarely that I come across something that I want to share with the world.

 

 

In this case, it’s a company called the Ochil Fudge Pantry. I happened to come across these guys at the Craft For Christmas & Hobbycrafts event at the SECC last week and have to admit that before then, I hadn’t heard of them.

 

And I have to ask why. Judging from what I’ve seen over the weekend, it seems that going on the first day of the shows was the best bet seeing as by Sunday they’d announced they sold out of the stock they’d taken. Anyhoo, we couldn’t pass by a stand that was offering free samples of their wares.

 

Here was the first mistake.

 

This is fudge, but not that you know. With a range of flavours from Chilli Chocolate (which I’m reliably informed has a chilli kick right at the end of a mouthful) to Rhubarb Crumble, Rum & Raisin to Iron Brew (I’ve already seen it used in cakes so why not fudge?) there was a wide choice to choose from though have to admit that the Apple Crumble flavour is probably my favourite (Would love to have experienced the butterscotch again but it seems that I’ve got a fridge raider that snaffled it!)

 

Though to add to the enjoyment of eating this carefully made fudge, it has to be the packaging! Along with the usual blurb that’s required on food packaging, the writing right below the barcode made me laugh:

 

 

Got to love a company that has a bit of fun, right? Anyway, enough  about me spreading my love for them. Why not check them out for yourself and see if you can find a flavour that you love?

 

Visit Ochil Fudge Pantry Site

Share A Little (Video) Love

Okay, it’s not often that I ask for help but I’m needing all the help I can get. I need to get as many views as possible on this video by the end of this month! So far it’s accumulated nearly 72,000 views, but there’s no telling how many other entries could be added between now and the end of the competition.

 

The prize is to be present at the next video shoot (location yet undecided) which let’s be honest, is an opportunity that doesn’t come up very often!

 

Cheers all

Vhari x