Emma Gunn's Never Mind The Burdocks

Do you have a passion for flowers or plants? Or perhaps you dream of having a lovely garden one day? While most people aren’t born with a green thumb, there is an increasing interest in nature, especially amongst us at The Amazing Blog. We love having flowers and plants in every room, but jazzing up a space shouldn’t be limited to putting flowers in a vase. This is something we discovered from the wisdom of Emma Gunn’s ‘Never Mind the Burdocks: A Year Of Foraging in the British Isles’ - three books with the aim to encourage a better understanding of nature and survival, offering advice to protect our everyday spaces. After all, the more we understand, the better equipped we are.

The trio compromises of three books for three seasons: Spring (March-May), Autumn (September-November) and Winter (December-February). Each book is split into the number of days relating to the time frame, providing a different edible item each day. These range from mushrooms, to plants and fish. What we particularly like about the books, is the layout, providing a wide range of information, from scientific names, to origins and common uses. By focussing on a different foraging item each day, you quickly gain a vast amount of knowledge, including where to find the item, the edibility (rated from 1-5) and common lookalikes.

The Spring edition focuses on the common young tender leaves and spring flowers. As with the other books, common anecdotes and recipes are provided, with a vast amount of educational photographs. The Autumn edition includes commonly found funghi, fruits and nut, whereas you’ll find the Winter edition includes many root items. All three books contain a glossary of common (and uncommon) terms, and the Autumn guide has a handy tips and tricks section with visual funghi guides. Emma Gunn has thought of it all!

We have certainly enjoyed learning more about foraging! If this is something of interest to you too, then Emma Gunn’s Never Mind the Burdocks trio is available to purchase via Amazon. You’ll find the Spring and Winter editions available for £12.99, and the slightly thicker Autumn edition for £13.99. You’ll be foraging experts in no time!

Winterland evenings in London

If the February weather has you feeling down, look no further than an evening at Winterland in Fulham to lift your spirits! We here at The Amazing Blog are always on the hunt for a fun and unique way to spend a night out with friends and loved ones, so when we heard that Winterland was re-opening their doors due to popular demand, we knew we had to book our tickets straight away.

This event is the perfect way to impress someone on a date night by dining in an igloo that overlooks the river or even just another way to gather up all your friends for an unforgettable night out. Step into the enchanted forest and explore a world full of delicious wood-fired pizzas and fondues, while you warm-up with hot toddies or mulled wine. Of course, there is a full bar so you can be sure to find a drink to suit your tastes. 

Once you’ve satisfied your cravings, you can then head on down for a round of mini-golf. If that isn’t your cup of tea, gather up a team for a game of curling or even try out a game of ping-pong and then beer (or Prosecco) pong; perfect for a duo. And what better way to end a night out than singing along to your favorite songs in their new Karaoke booth.

Winterland is open February 2nd – March 10th from 6pm-11pm on Thursday and Friday and 2pm-11pm on Saturday. General entry tickets are available in limited amounts at the door for £5 per person, but we think it’s best to book entry tickets as well as seating and activities, which vary in price, online here in advance to guarantee the best spot!

Renapur Leather Balsam

The summer weather has been absolutely dreadful! With the weather being so unpredictable, the girls at Amazing PR, have grown tired of ruining their leather summer sandals and open toed shoes. Having myself grown tired of all their moaning and groaning about their shoes, I decided to recommend a special shoe balsam that I had found.  After experiencing a harsh winter, my boots have really taken a beating. So, I can relate to the girls.  Luckily at The Amazing Blog, they have been persuaded to use my wonderful discovery which  has restored my worn-out leather boots and they almost look brand new! I'm talking about ... Renapur Leather Balsam has been a complete blessing to me  AND now to them!

After applying the Leather Balsam to all to my dark brown and black leather boots. My boots were  not only cleaned and restored to almost their original condition, they were given a fabulous sheen as well. Preparing them to be worn for next rainy season.  The Renapur Leather Balsam is made from a combination of natural waxes and oils, giving it a unique formula designed specifically to renew your leather. The natural Beeswax, Carnauba wax, Jojoba oil, Avocado oil, and secret natural ingredients are blended together to create a smooth balsam that can be easily applied to your shoes.

After “renewing” all my boots with Renapur Leather Balsam, I will be sure to take this balm out mid-way through the winter to give my boots a new protection. Based on their loyal customers, Renapur Leather Balsam has become a must-have necessity all around the UK, and I now know why. Their customers continue to trust this balsam because it does what it says. I love this unique product and will be recommending it to all my friends for their boot collection – whether new or old! You can purchase the Renapur Leather Balsam for £12.00 for a 200ml container that will last you at least for the next two seasons.

Oh What a Bean Feast!

  Now the clocks have gone back and the evenings are drawing in, winter is officially upon us. And if you’re anything like me the dark nights and dismal days leave me craving all things cosy; endless mugs of tea, buttery toast, open fires and copious amounts of comfort food. Thus the season of over-indulging in stodge is here, leaving our waist-lines with little choice but to expand. While balmy summer days leave me wanting salads and great hunks of fruit, winter is most definitely a time for real, hearty, satisfying foods.

Thankfully, help is at hand from the lovely people at Easy Bean – creators of the delicious and healthy One-Pot Bean Meals. Inspired by authentic recipes from around the world, many of which use beans as the foundation, Easy Bean are committed to providing healthy, nutritious and filling meals that can be enjoyed alone or as a filling to a fluffy jacket potato or a spicy tortilla wrap. Combining a range pulses with a whole host of natural and wholesome ingredients, each pot is high in fibre, low in fat and both gluten and dairy free – so perfect for anyone with food intolerances. In addition each meal will count as at least two portions of veg and have no hidden nasties – so absolutely no artificial colours, flavourings or preservatives.

And as a socially responsible business, you can enjoy the One-Pot Bean Meals, knowing that Easy Bean endeavour to use local suppliers and continually work with the Fairtrade Foundation.

Each pot is infused with exotic ingredients and there are both meat and vegetarian varieties. The Moroccan Tagine is a delicious option for herbivores – with chickpea, aubergine and butternut squash, slow cooked with apricot and aromatic spices, there’s a real taste of Moroccan Medina’s in every pot. But my personal favourite is The African Pavlava – a tasty combination of Fairtrade brown bean with free range chicken, sweet potato and spinach in a spicy peanut sauce. So if you’re stuck for dinner ideas, and want something both hearty and healthy, look no further than Easy Bean One- Pot Meals.

Available from Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and a number of independent retailers.