Notes of Life

During my trip to London last weekend, I took a walk along the edge of  St. James’ Park. First I saw one squirrel, then another, another and quite a few more! I’d never seen so many squirrels in quite a small area (and in a city centre). I watched one squirrel climb a fence and then leap onto a man who was feeding a couple of them! He didn’t seem to mind though…

I quickly got my camera out and took a few photos, but when I saw this fella climbing on the fence and looking at me, I took a few steps back. I didn’t fancy having a squirrel climbing all over me!

Posted for Camera Critters.

Being wheat and lactose intolerant, I’ve tried many wheat free breads, but they are usually awful. Wheat free breads have a tendency to be thick, stodgy, tasteless and not worth the high price you have to pay for them. I would sit at work looking longingly at my colleague’s sandwiches, with the smell of lovely bread wafting my way.

Then one weekend I was watching BBC News when they started interviewing a woman called Lucinda Bruce-Gardyne. Lucinda wanted her son to be able to enjoy “soldiers” with his boiled egg just like other kids, but because of his restricted diet he couldn’t. She made it her mission to create a fresh gluten free bread that everyone could enjoy. Lucinda named the bread Genius.

So, did Lucinda succeed and is she a genius?

Well, it took me a while to find out! Tesco initially had an exclusive contract to sell the bread and, because my nearest Tesco is currently an hour away, I had to wait. When I finally did get to Tesco, I expected to find the Genius bread with the other ‘free from’ range sold at Tesco. When I didn’t find it there I was quite disappointed. However, a trip to the bread aisle to pick up bread for my Dad, ensured that I found the Genius bread. There it was among the “normal” loaves of bread. Luckily the Genius bread caught my eye. Like with other breads I had the choice of white or brown, so went with my preferred brown.

Genius Gluten Free Brown Bread is not just gluten free, it is also wheat free and dairy free, so perfect for me! As I’ve said before, other gluten free breads aren’t fresh and tend to be stodgy and feel tough. However the Genius Gluten Free Bread is fresh and even invites you to give it a squeeze. Of course, I accepted the invitation and gave it a squeeze… It didn’t feel as soft as “normal” breads, but it did feel softer than any other gluten free bread I’ve squeezed! *I admit it… I’m a phantom bread squeezer!*

When I got the bread home I decided to give it a proper taste test and split a slice between me and my Mum (who doesn’t have any food intolerances). It tasted pretty much like any normal slice of brown bread and I don’t think I’d have been able to tell the difference if I hadn’t have bought the loaf myself.

Next I used it to make sandwiches to take with me to work for my lunch. It sliced nicely (Genius bread isn’t pre-sliced) and didn’t crumble. Most importantly, it was fresh and soft. Eating my gluten free, wheat free and dairy free sandwiches (complete with soya spread, Lactofree cheese, ham & salad) at work was heaven – I’d never been so glad to have tasty sandwiches for lunch!

I loved my sandwiches so much that I went all the way back to Tesco to buy another loaf when I’d finished the first! I can’t wait for Tesco to open up in my nearest town (not long now) so I can easily buy this bread.

The good news is that they are now also selling the bread in Asda, Waitrose and Selfridges, so Genius bread will be more readily available (in the UK).

Genius Gluten Free Brown Bread comes in a 400g (approx) loaf, but (as with other ‘free from’ products) you do have to pay the price for being able to consume nice ‘free from’ food… It cost me £2.49 compared to my Dad’s “normal” wholemeal loaf at 61p. I think you’ll agree that’s quite a price difference!

Other Genius Gluten Free Bread information…

This bread does contain egg, but is otherwise gluten free, wheat free and dairy free. It is suitable for vegetarians and it produced on a site that does not handle nuts (but cannot be guaranteed nut free). The ingredients include: Water, Potato Starch, Cornflour, Vegetable Oil, Tapioca Starch, Egg White, Rice Bran, Treacle, Stabiliser (Xanthan Gum), Yeast, Cellulose, Salt, Sugar Beet Flakes and Millet Flakes. (I’d have never have guessed that Treacle would have been one of the ingredients!).

So again, did Lucinda succeed and is she a genius?

Yes and yes! This bread is lovely and you really can’t tell the difference between this and “normal” bread… apart from the price. Once Tesco opens in my nearest town I’ll be buying this on a weekly basis (rather than just when I’m near another Tesco). It’s heaven to be able to eat sandwiches again!

For more information visit www.geniusglutenfree.com – you’ll also find some gluten free recipes!

Also posted on my Dooyoo account.

(Nicked from Mountainear!)

Apparently, these questions should be answered with one word answers, so here goes…

1. Where is your mobile phone? – Table

2. Your hair? – Ginger

3. Your mother? - Mum

4. Your father? - Da’

5. Your favorite food? - Roasts

6. Your dream last night? - Unmemorable

7. Your favorite drink? - Malibu

8. Your dream/goal? - Travel

9. What room are you in? – Living

10. Your hobby? - Photography

11. Your fear? – Many!

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? – Anywhere

13. Where were you last night? - Here

14. Something that you aren’t? - Warm!

15. Muffins? - ‘Free-from’

16. Wish list item? - Lens

17. Where did you grow up? - Here

18. Last thing you did? - Shop

19. What are you wearing? - Hoody

20. Your TV? – Rugby

21. Your pets? - Cats

22. Friends? - Few

23. Your life? - Okay

24. Your mood? - Content

25. Missing someone? - No

26. Vehicle? – Ka

27. Something you’re not wearing? - Hat

28. Your favorite store? - CyberCandy

29. Your favorite colour? - Blue

30. When was the last time you laughed? - Earlier

31. Last time you cried? – Hmmm

32. Your best friend? - Friendly

33. One place that I go to over and over? - Work

34. Facebook? - Yes

35. Favourite place to eat? - Out

Rather than choose people, I’m going to let you guys take this and post it on your blogs if you want… Of course, if you do then don’t forget to let me know!

I’m now an auntie!

My brother & sister-in-law are now the proud parents of a beautiful baby girl! Baby Taiha arrived yesterday morning and is the latest addition to our family tree.

I can’t take credit for growing these roses, I just bought them (along with a pot of white roses and a pot of red roses) when I took Granddad to the flower market in Craven Arms this past weekend.

Just as this new rose bud is starting to flower, our family will soon be having a beautiful new addition of it’s own. My neice/nephew is due in the next few weeks!

It’s funny to see these autumn plants flowering while the trees shed their leaves in droves.

Posted for this week’s Thematic Photographic – Open.