The World's First Baby Vending Machine- By Ella's Kitchen

I was so excited to get the latest Ella's Kitchen update this morning, and it did not disappoint!

Ella's kitchen are always thinking of what toddlers want and need, and seeing the world from their point of view, Ella's kitchen have always been 'the one to watch'. They are by far, my favourite brand, and this, stroke of genius, is just one of the things I expect to see in every play centre and shopping mall, throughout the land!

Once again, the guys at Ella's kitchen have been out listening to what parents have to say, and they have found that we do struggle to find healthy children's foods and snacks, when we are out and about.

This is something that I am always complaining about, so the new mini vending machine, which is thought to be the smallest in the world, and is in my opinion the cutest, is the answer to my prayers. Standing at just 115cm's tall, it is perfect height for little boys and girls to select their favourite, healthy snacks. It also has large, pictured, buttons, for children to communicate their needs and easy for them to operate, all by themselves, creating a sense of independence.

The vending machine will go on trial at 'Lollibop', the UK's largest, children's festival, and I have no doubt that it will be a huge success.

Here is some of the information that Ella's kitchen have sent to me this morning:

58 per cent of parents have been forced to feed their children un-healthy foods such as sweets or crisps when they’re out of the house due to the lack of healthier options available.  Other factors driving parents to feed their little ones un-healthy foods include “they prefer junk food,” “they deserve a treat every once in a while” and “it’s less hassle.”

The mini vending machine will be filled with Ella’s Kitchen’s healthy, handy and tasty snacks to show parents that foods for kids on the go don’t need to be restricted to sugary or salty foods.  It will vend 12 varieties of snacks from Smoothie Fruits to Nibbly Fingers and new Puffits.

The Ella’s Kitchen vending machine will be unveiled for the first time at Lollibop, the largest children’s festival in the UK, in Regent’s Park, London from 17th – 19th August 2012.  Visit the Ella’s Kitchen stand at the Food Village to try it out with all snacks being offered absolutely free for a trial period.

With over a quarter of parents (27 per cent) feeding their children at least twice a day whilst out of home, the vending machine aims to raise awareness of the difficulties parents have finding healthy snacks on the go.  Toddlers have tiny tummies that need to be regularly topped up with small snacks to maintain their energy levels as they grow and explore the world around them.  Ella’s Kitchen snacks are aimed at little ones from seven months and contain 100% organic ingredients with absolutely no concentrates or refined sugars.

The top hotspots with a lack of toddler-friendly snacks on offer were revealed as:
Beaches (43 per cent)
Parks or playgrounds (38 per cent)
Shopping centres (36 per cent)
Theme parks (33 per cent)
Zoos or farms (29 per cent)

Paul Lindley, Ella’s Dad and founder of Ella’s Kitchen, comments:“By creating the first tiny vending machine, we hope to stimulate little ones’ senses and encourage them to enjoy eating healthy foods from a young age.  Our snack products are designed to be healthy, handy and fun for both parents and their children allowing them to spend more time exploring the big outdoors without worrying about finding healthy foods.  We can’t wait for little ones to try out the machine for themselves at Lollibop!”  

Review- The Zone (Soft Play area- Lancaster)

I have a lot to say about this place.

I have been to many soft play areas over the years, and I have seen some real sights. I have my all time favourite and I have every parents worst nightmare of an afternoon out with the tots. These places still hold their ranking positions.

Today, I was lucky enough to go and meet the owner of 'The Zone', which is located right in the city centre, and is the only soft play area, of it's kind, in the whole city.

The very first thing I noticed, was the stunning building in which the facilities are inhabited. I have never seen such beautiful features in a play centre, or indeed, in most places. The reception area is secure and very well staffed, who all wore a clear uniform, with 'STAFF' in large print on their backs, which not only looked smart and sophisticated, but it was clear enough, so that a member of staff could be found in an emergency.

The members of staff performed regularly checks of all of the facilities, and all tables were cleared and cleaned instantly. I think that this is really important, as many soft play areas are a great breeding zone for germs, so to see the staff regularly cleaning everything thoroughly, stood out to me.

I also noticed that there was never a queue due to ample amounts of efficient staff. This showed me, that this set up had been thought through, as the quicker you can order and receive your refreshments, the quicker you can get back to your children, and you are not queueing so children weren't getting bored and running towards the play area. This is a good way of ensuring that children remain safe at all times, and this is clearly what 'The Zone' pride themselves on.

There are two seated areas for adults to sit and supervise their children playing, both are wall papered and are very tranquil. Every table and chair was clean and there was plenty of space for children to run back and forth for refreshments, in between games.

The play area itself was immaculate and in excellent condition. Everything was clean and nothing had needed obvious repairs. Anything that had been damaged through wear and tear must have been replaced. There was a range of soft play, safe, clean toys for toddlers, in the special area, which although it is inclusive of the rest of the play area, it is sectioned off, so that wondering toddlers cannot escape without passing the adult responsible for them.

The ball pool was very clean and the balls were clearly of good quality and were new. They also had a suction tube, for the children to post the balls into, and then they watch them travel through the transparent tubing, into a plastic case. Then, once it is full, they can press a button so that the collection of balls rains down into the ball pool. My sons loved this feature. There is also a sensory target practise, with two targets. If you hit the target with a ball, one of three lights, light up on your side, if the other team player hits their target, it puts out one of your lights, the first team to get all three targets lit, wins. My sons were perhaps a little bit young for this, but it didn't stop them having a go, and with my help, we managed to get the table to light up, which filled my boys with glee.

This is not only, the only soft play area in the city centre, but it is owner of the second longest slide in great Britain. Even my eldest, who hates heights with a passion, managed to get to the top and slide down with ease.

Throughout the play area, there are decorative and educational, soft posters. I was impressed to see one which had optical illusions on.

The baby changing facilities were good, and I was pleased to see clean toilets, with a range of antibacterial hand washes, plenty of toilets and even potties, for the little ones. I didn't see a children's step to help them reach the sinks, but it was not a problem for me to lift my eldest son, so that he could wash his hands.

As it is the summer holidays, it was quite busy today, however, there was a time limit for play, which meant that it was never over crowded, and it was not only very safe, especially for the little ones who can sometimes find a lot of older children intimidating, but it was comfortable too.

In term time, I would hope that there wasn't a time limit, as at £4.00 per child, I can see why this has been off putting for some parents, especially if they have more than one child. There is a slight discount for more than 3 children, where you would be charged £3.50 per child, there is also a discount for younger babies, and babies under 1 are free, if I remember correctly, which is fairly standard practise.

I enjoyed the hour that I spent there, even though I would have liked to stay for longer, especially on a school day.

I would look to hear about offers, deals and promotions, as I think that this would entice me to come alone more often.

Some soft play areas have regular coffee mornings for children and parents and guardians who are looking to meet other parents and guardians in the local area, and I would be interested in this sort of thing.

Over all, I loved this family ran business, and I was pleased to see that they did not do fruit shoots, but a slightly healthier and less expensive alternative.

I can understand the point that some of the other local Mum's have made, that if there was a discounted rate for second children, they would be more likely to stay for dinner, however, this would end up costing more overall.

As play centres go, this one is far safer and cleaner than the majority I have been to, so for those reasons, I would be willing to pay the extra few pence to go to this one. As putting a price on your child's health, safety and happiness goes, it is a real bargain.

Its a rainy day

Its a rainy day today...hence the title, so off to have a look at 'The Zone' a childrens soft play area in Lancaster city centre. It has quite a convinient location and looks nice from the outside, although word on the street is that it is over priced and it has just been slated on twitter for being 'chavvy'...

But, I am not put off, I am off to go and test the place out with my handsome horrors. You can all read the verdict later on tonight. I have found that many places here are hit or miss and as you all know, i have no energy left over to be articulate. What will Dorris make of the place?

It is the only one in the city centre, but I am comparing it to the hundreds of great quality places in Cheshire, so although this play centre rules to roost...it has tough competition with regards to impressing me...

...to be continued...

Review: 1725 Lancaster - AVOID THIS PLACE!

After a spot of shopping today, we decided to re-try 1725, in the market square, within the city centre.

The last time we had visited 1725, we only had drinks, the price was good and the standard was...well...standard.

Before leaving, my eldest, who is 3 needed the toilet. When i got to their facilaties, someone had clearly had what can only be described as an explosion of the bottom, and had possibly scrambled in it to try to get out, it looked like someone, or a team, had attempted to paint their walls with their hands and their excretion.

I informed the manager, who made me aware that it wasnt like that when they opened up in the morning...
I suggested they have it cleaned.

Today we tried this place again, it seems the kitchen was probably just as delightful...

Our food arrived and all looked great. Portions were small and the price was...average. As i was nearing the end of my meal, i noticed that there was a maggot-like insect in my food. I had disturbed it, while using my fork, and it had wriggled about for a moment.

We called the manager over, he said it could have fallen from a near by tree but informed us that he would check the kitchen and the chicken for maggots.

The waitress brought us a bill for our drinks and we did not pay for our food. I will never go there again and I was nearly sick while speaking to the manager.

Avoid this place! There is a perfectly good Greggs next door!!!

Day three: tales of toddlerhood

Mummy was doing the ironing and me was outside. Me love onions. Write that.

Daddy's friend from work camed a mine house in the morning. Him have a red car so it doesn't get lost, and him have legs. His does have foots. Thems went to work. Him tell me about balamory and postman pat. Me said to him, keep me updated.

Us all had yoghurt. Me and Alfie had a yogurt. Them all went on the floor. Mummy putted boiling water on it, make it burn off.

Me love risotto. What me have?

We goed the shop. Me wanted to make a cake with cream and vanilla. Us buyeded some cream and some butter. Me putted the cream on the side. Me and us made cake.

Us made a house out of boxes for mine fireman sam things. Alfie spilted juice in it, Mummy had to make another house, it have stairs but no toilet.

Me went a play with mine friends. Me came back in. Me and Ava had cake. We played with tennis rackets and us played with fireman sam things. Then Mummy told me go in. Ava helped me.

Me want to tell you about carrots. To make carrot cake you need lots of carrots. Just need lots of carrots and eggs and tomatoes.

Second toddler diary entry tales of toddlerhood

Aunty Bekka bringing her Mum mine house me thinks, and her sister. Me love Aunty Bekka's sister. She just have eyebrows. Yup, her eyes are just blue. Alfie is a numbnuts. Him have numbnuts eyes. Me have eyebrows. Alfie have numbnuts eyes.

This morning, me just play. Mummy woked up with Daddy. Daddy went to work with him tool boxes. Daddy's friend came too, from work, to go a work. Me not know him name.

Me had comecrust (cous cous) for mine dinner. What me had with it? Me not remember. It was my favorite. What me had on mine sandwich? Mummy said it was contion (coronation) chicken. Me just called it mine favorite. Alfie not loved it, me just loved it.

When Daddy friend get back to mine house, me going to give him, him pen back.

Me in mine house just having a pint. Me went drunk in me house. Had a pint of coke and a pint cup of tea.

Mummy said Alfie be a labourer and me be builder. Me the worker. Not Alfie. Him not allowed. Daddy thinked them his goggles.

Mummy said have to share mine car with Alfie. Me not share mine car. It just mine car.

Me been naughty today. Me throwed a boot at Mummy's back. You throw a blue ball at your ears to make them very soft.

Me been playing with mine fire engines and me been catching everyone.

We do just being a sausage roll in Mummy's bed. You just be the sausage and you roll around and the blanket is the pastry.

Daddy was on the toilet and me wanted a wee. Me told him to get off the toilet and just poo in the sink!

My sons first entry into his toddler diary.

Play. Me went downstairs and me went upstairs. Play. Me went downstairs.

Me do have a fireman helmet like Nate! Me have a fireman helmet and a Bob the builder helmet. Me just get another helmet. He have a helmet and me just use other one.

Play and go downstairs with mummy. Go out a town in the afternoon, us went a bank. A morning us went to a car. What your day been? Today, me been playing and playing. Write that mummy. Write town on, write milk on and write juice on. Write some juice on.

Been playing out with Ava. Alfie felled over. Nate was out to see him on him hurt leg. Nate putted a fireman helmet on me. You press the button, it say, Sam is hero next door.

Sitting with me teddy, we did talking about space. About a spaceship. Me was talking about a moon and you was talking about a blue moon, it called strawberry. Blue strawberry. It looks like one of my fireman sam cars go past it. It look like a road with fire engine, me was talking about Elvis on the moon, in a fire engine called Jupiter.
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Mum's version:

Today we went in the car to the bank. Then we came home and talked about space during snack time. I told finn about mars because it was on the news today. We also discussed the fireman sam vehicles being named after some of the eight planets. Finn asked if there was a blue planet, so we talked about jupiter. Then, after tea he went to play outside with his friends. When it was time to come in, finn hugged his friend nate and his friend ava, whom he has a very open first crush on. Ava gave finn a kiss but finn turned to mush and went very shy.