Author Archive
Sep
03
2010
 
Prince of Wales’s new Duchy Originals deal takes the biscuitPosted by CompareSupermarketPrices.com in NewsDuchy Originals has a new name and outlook, says Jonny Beardsall. The end of August is upon us, and before the onslaught of a new term at school or college hits many households, it’s time to step back and take a look at how naughty we were food-wise over the summer. And time to think about ways we can get back on the straight and narrow…
We’re not sure what you’ve been up to, but we’ll be the first to admit to an excess of alcohol (aaah, those lovely summery evenings out in the back garden, sipping a glass or two of wine) and some generous helpings of ice cream. But at least we’ve also had a chance to make amends and get out and stretch the legs a bit. Even if it was just strolling down the road to our local! With the kids going back to school it means ‘bye bye’ to their summer sugar fest and ‘hello’ to a little more say over what they eat. Of course, this means healthy food options in their school lunchbox, including cereal bars, good old fashioned fruit, such as the energy packed banana, and fruit yogurts.
It’s just a shame we don’t apply some of that dietary control to ourselves, as according to recent government stats it’s us parents that seem to be letting the side down. It appears us Brits are heading ever closer to the over-sized American way of life.
There are no excuses; we all know that we should be eating better. So maybe we should just start living better. Let’s face it, with the kids returning to school, it’s almost like having another crack at our New Year’s resolutions, especially for those of us who have strayed. And it really only takes a few small things to make an impact. For example, pack some more fruit and vegetables into your daily routine. Eat less (you could, for example, eat on smaller plates to trick your brain into thinking you’re scoffing down a bigger meal than you actually are) and just slow that chewing down (another good way to trick the brain).
At mySupermarket we’re also here to help give healthier suggestions. For example, when you start shopping check out our Health Checker, which will let you swap similar items for lower calories.
So, are you eating better? Living better? And if so, how?
Remember you can get it all cheaper through mySupermarket. Top Offers:
“Eat Better, Live Better”…  So, what’s your favourite kitchen smell?
In our opinion, there’s nothing quite like the smell of fresh bread baking in the oven, or onions and garlic sizzling away in the frying pan. These odours can surely drive a sane man bonkers – or at least have him ready to devour a horse, hooves included!
But what about those odours we’d rather our noses never had to confront? You know the ones we’re talking about, those powerful aromas that hit us as we open up the fridge door, the half-full dishwasher or overflowing rubbish bin. Those odours that make us step back in horror, hand over mouth, wondering just what could be the source of that awful stench.
So in honour of all things stinky, we’ve written up a quick guide on how to banish those nasty odours forever from four of the main kitchen culprits. And if these tips don’t work for you, it might be time to go out and buy some air fresheners…
Got any hot tips you’d like to share?
Remember you can get all your cleaning accessories much cheaper through mySupermarket. Top Offers:
“Overpowering Those Kitchen Odours!”…
Aug
21
2010
Self-service checkouts ‘have not cut supermarket queues’Posted by CompareSupermarketPrices.com in NewsSelf-service checkouts were intended to bring an end to long supermarket
Aug
20
2010
Sainsbury’s sees best ever Champagne salesPosted by CompareSupermarketPrices.com in NewsNew data from Sainsbury‘s reveals that shoppers are not prepared to sacrifice their favourite luxury tipple even in the toughest times and are increasingly opting for supermarket brands. Total Champagne sales in Sainsbury‘s are up by 40% – an additional 1.23m bottles – and it has just enjoyed its strongest ever year in the category, despite the down-turn.  So, in case you missed it (we doubt it, what with the hype and TV promos bombarding us over the last week or so!), this weekend saw the start of the new Premier League season.
Despite it seeming like only two minutes ago we were talking about the World Cup, the new football season is once again upon us. We’re not sure what that means for your household, but we can safely assume that across the nation the male side of the average family has been getting a wee bit more excitable.
[sob] In the meantime, the less footie mad side of the family weeps silently into her glass of white wine while nibbling on some biscuits, after hearing that David Beckham will no longer be pulling on the England shirt… [end of sob]
To quench those munchies and thirst for something cold and liquid every time there’s a match on the telly, we’ve come up with a list of five must haves in your fridge or cupboard to keep your favourite footie fans happy.
Remember you can fill up your fridge or cupboard for the new footie season much cheaper through mySupermarket.
What do the footie fans in your house insist on having in the fridge?
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“Five Must Have Footie Foods!”…
Aug
11
2010
First full range of milk bags to hit UK supermarketsPosted by CompareSupermarketPrices.com in NewsSainsbury‘s is to become the first retailer in the UK to launch a full range of milk bags, following bumper sales of the industry-leading semi-skimmed milk bag. Milk is one of Sainsbury‘s biggest selling lines and could finally bring to an end to the 130 year reign of the milk bottle.
Aug
09
2010
5 Ways to Banish those Fussy Eater Blues!Posted by CompareSupermarketPrices.com in News
Oh yes, fussy eaters. Frustrating for parents, as we worry about our kids getting some decent nutrition and their 5 A DAY, and frustrating for kids, as they develop their own independence and taste buds, and just long for that jelly and ice cream to come!
So as the summer holiday rolls on and the days when we send them back to school appear further away than ever, here are five ways to help banish those fussy eater blues:
Remember you can banish those fussy eater blues much cheaper through mySupermarket. Have some fussy eater tips of your own? Let us know in the comments! Top Offers:
Start shopping now » Sainsbury‘s opened the doors of its new Local store in Cheltenham today, creating 13 new jobs. The former Spar store, which Sainsbury‘s has renovated, was opened by pupils from Naunton Park Primary School.
Aug
04
2010
Workers running businesses from home to beat the recessionPosted by CompareSupermarketPrices.com in News, tags: sainsburys, supermarketBritain is reacting to the recession by starting up more small business and working from home, new sales figures have revealed. Demand for home office equipment has jumped by over 200 per cent says in the past year alone, says supermarket Sainsbury’s.
Aug
02
2010
Can’t Wait for the Kids’ Summer Hols to End?Posted by CompareSupermarketPrices.com in News, tags: asda, mysupermarket, ocado, shopping, supermarket, tesco
As the end of the summer holidays draws a little nearer (just a little), we’re sure there are more than a few mums and dads out there that are starting to breathe a little easier. Those six to eight weeks of constantly finding the kids something to do takes its toll on the best of us. And when we have to keep an eye out for all that chocolate, crisps, lollies and soft drinks they consume (in alarmingly copious amounts – sometimes you’d think we have a pack of hyenas to provide for, rather than a couple of hungry kids!), then for some of us, the summer holidays can’t come to an end soon enough!
Perhaps the biggest reason for being happy campers again come September time is that we can once again have some sort of control over what they put into their mouths.
Yes, that lunchbox we pack them off to school or nursery with can store a lot of healthy goodness, and also help banish memories of that summer sugar fest. Now we can give our kids some fantastically healthy options, both timeless and exotic, such as bananas, kiwis or nectarines, that are still fun and add a flash of colour to lunch.
If we get really creative we can even have them chomping on wholemeal rolls filled with tuna or cheese or peanut butter (with no added sugar), and have them polish it off with a fruit-filled yogurt, some dried fruit or even a fruit salad.
We say, roll on September!
And yes, lots more on the blog to come about adding some healthy options to your kids’ lunchbox…that also add a little wow factor!
Remember you can get it all cheaper through mySupermarket.
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Jul
28
2010
Sainsbury’s wins more awards in International Wine and Spirit Competition 2010 than any other supermarketPosted by CompareSupermarketPrices.com in News, tags: sainsburys, supermarketSainsbury’s has won 11 medals in the global spirits competition The International Wine and Spirit Competition. Their medal haul included 2 Gold ‘best in class’ medals, a further gold, 5 silvers and 3 bronzes, more than any other supermarket.
Jul
27
2010
Sainsbury’s taste of summer 2010Posted by CompareSupermarketPrices.com in News, tags: sainsburysWhether you’re barbecuing with the kids, picnicking with friends, or entertaining in the back garden, Sainsbury’s has everything you need, with a brand new summer eating range for 2010.
Jul
26
2010
Add Energy to Your DayPosted by CompareSupermarketPrices.com in News, tags: asda, mysupermarket, ocado, shopping, supermarket, tesco With the days at their longest, and with the air a bit hotter, you might be feeling that you just can’t get through a whole day, whether you’re in an office or taking care of the kids while they’re on holiday. Here are some tips to keep you going all day long.Although getting a good night’s sleep and minimising stress are both important, food has more of an impact on our energy levels than most people think. What you eat can make a big difference on whether you bounce around getting things done, or slump in a chair convinced you can’t get up.
One of the best ways to avoid a midday low is to start the day off with the right kind of breakfast. Foods which are high in protein, such as eggs, can help perk you up for a long time, because the body takes a while to break them down, meaning that the energy gets released slowly. Similarly, whole grain cereals or oatmeal, with milk for calcium and some fresh fruit for added taste and natural sugar, make an excellent start to the day.
Don’t rely on caffeine to get you through the day. Although there’s nothing wrong with a soothing mug of tea or coffee if you enjoy the taste, the caffeine won’t keep you going for long, and will quickly become increasingly less effective, meaning that you need to drink more and more of it just to stay at the same level.
Instead, try slower burning foods that won’t give you an instant high, but won’t leave you feeling low afterwards either. Pasta, potatoes and vegetables are all slow-burning carbs that will give you energy over a relatively long period of time. A lunch of pasta salad with some vegetables mixed in or on the side, perhaps with pesto or tuna, might be just the thing to keep you going.
It’s also useful to keep snacks on hand for when you need a little bit of a pick me up. Buying them in advance will stop you dashing out for an unhealthy chocolate bar, or something from an expensive corner shop. Nuts like almonds or cashews, and seeds such as sunflower seeds, can be delicious during the day, and are great for when you need an energy boost.
Make sure to drink enough during the day as well. In summer it’s especially easy to forget this, and if you get dehydrated you’ll feel more lethargic and unable to get on with things. Regular glasses of water will make sure this doesn’t happen.
Whichever foods you choose to boost your energy throughout the day, remember you can buy them cheaper through mySupermarket.
How do you stay energised all day long? Share your tips! Top Offers:
“Add Energy to Your Day”…
Jul
20
2010
Weight Loss & Healthy Eating – Sainsbury’s Launches Revolutionary Online Diet SitePosted by CompareSupermarketPrices.com in News, tags: sainsburysSainsbury‘s launched its brand new online diet club the perfect choice for those who struggle to find the time to attend a regular slimming club, or who prefer to lose weight from home. The site is designed for success and whilst acknowledging the pitfalls of dieting, provides healthy eating solutions to help slimmers achieve their ultimate goal.
Jul
20
2010
Cooling Treats for Warm WeatherPosted by CompareSupermarketPrices.com in News, tags: asda, mysupermarket, ocado, shopping, supermarket, tesco Are you feeling the heat? As the weather gets warmer, you may well find yourself feeling uncomfortably hot or sticky. If this is the case, and you’re dreaming of ice cubes and cold showers, then here are some ways to cool off and stay well in the summer months.Of course, in warm weather it is vital to make sure that you’re keeping well hydrated, as you can easily lose moisture without realising that you’re doing it, only to find that you have a headache or are feeling unexpectedly tired or dizzy. Make sure to take a bottle of water out with you, and to send your kids out with one when they’re heading to the park. If they’re in the garden, remind them occasionally to come in for a drink.
Keep some water in the fridge so that it’ll be there when you need a cool drink. If you’re going to be out all day, you might want to consider freezing a bottle of water the day before, so that it can defrost gently throughout the day. That way, you’ll have cold water even by the time it gets to the evening!
Water by itself can get boring after a while, and it’s harder to motivate yourself to keep drinking if you don’t want to have more of it. Try adding squashes or juices to flavour the water and add taste; this will encourage the kids to drink enough, too.
Frozen water also counts – add ice cubes to your drinks, and make ice lollies out of orange juice and water by simply popping it in the freezer. You can use almost any juice or squash for this, so let your kids get involved. If they make them themselves they might even be watching the clock until the icy goodies are frozen enough to be eaten!
There are plenty of other great options for cooling drinks. You can easily make smoothies yourself by blending fruits like raspberries, strawberries, melon or pineapple together and then mixing the result with either water, juice, or milk. Experiment with different combinations until you find your favourite flavour, and serve chilled, or with ice.
Or, if your family are all mad for milkshakes, give these a go. They’re just as easy; all you need is a blender, some ice cream, some milk and a flavour like chocolate syrup, bananas, peanut butter, or really just about anything you like. You whizz it all up and you’re ready to go!
Whichever summer treat takes your fancy, remember you can get the ingredients cheaper through mySupermarket.
What’s your favourite way of staying cool during the summer? Top Offers:
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Jul
12
2010
Sainsbury’s launches new fibreless mangoPosted by CompareSupermarketPrices.com in News, tags: sainsburysThis summer, Sainsbury‘s is bringing a real taste of the exotic to its Taste the difference range, with the introduction of the Banganpalli mango from south east India.
Jul
12
2010
Summer Ways to Get Your 5 A DAYPosted by CompareSupermarketPrices.com in News, tags: asda, mysupermarket, ocado, shopping, supermarket, tesco Are you careful about getting your 5 A DAY? We all know how important it is to have the right amount of fruit and vegetables in our diets, but it’s often difficult to remember to make them part of our daily meals and snacks.Summer is the ideal time of year to start getting into the habit of eating fruit and veg, if you and your family aren’t yet used to it. The warmer weather will make lighter foods more attractive, and paying attention to your 5 A DAY will help you make filling meals which leave you feeling refreshed.
Salads can be a delicious component of a meal, and if you put a little bit of effort into making it you’ll find it can be more than just a side dish. Many people prefer leafy salads, but there’s no reason to stop at a bit of lettuce – try rocket, fresh spinach, or any other leaves you reckon you can persuade the kids to try. Then throw in some cheese, meat, nuts and cooked sweet potatoes to make it into a meal all by itself!
You don’t have to base your salad on leaves, either. Chopped or diced vegetables can make a great salad – try combining whatever you know your family prefers, whether it’s peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, fennel, onions or red onions. You can also include unusual ingredients you know the kids always go for, such as raisins, fresh strawberries, peaches or other fruit.
It’s ok to add dressing if you think that’ll make everyone happier about giving it a go, especially if you make your own and therefore control what goes into it. Olive oil, soy sauce, lemon juice and honey are all excellent bases for a dressing, and you can experiment with combining them in different amounts.
Many fruits and vegetables make great side dishes, too. Veg like broccoli, courgettes and green beans need to be cooked before they’re eaten, but can be served either hot or cold, depending on the weather and what you feel like.
If you’re barbecuing, be sure to grill some nice fresh vegetables along with the meat – aubergines, onions, mushrooms and lots of others suit that slightly charcoaly taste you get from a bbq. You can chop them up and put the pieces on sticks as kebabs to entice everyone to try them once they’re ready.
Then, if you’re looking for something a bit different, you can mix things up a bit by serving fruits such as apricots or berries, either fresh or as a sauce, as part of a starter or a main course, to add either a sweet or a tart taste to fish, meat or vegetarian dishes.
However you slip fruit and veg into your summer meals, remember you can get it all cheaper by shopping through mySupermarket.
How do you get your summer 5 A DAY? Top Offers:
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Jul
05
2010
July’s Juicy DelightsPosted by CompareSupermarketPrices.com in News, tags: asda, mysupermarket, ocado, shopping, supermarket, tesco July is a particularly tasty month when it comes to finding seasonal foods – positioned as it is, right in the middle of the summer, there are all sorts of mouth-watering delicacies out there to tempt your tastebuds.The first thing you probably associate with summer foods is the fruit. There are so many wonderful fruits and berries that hit the shelves at this time of year, perfectly ripe and deliciously juicy, that we’re completely spoilt for choice. Blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, gooseberries, peaches, apricots, redcurrents, blackcurrents…
It’s summer abundance at its best. Encourage your family to try all of these delicious treats – they’re only at their best for a short time in the year, and the kids may be surprised by how much they like the ones they haven’t tried yet. You can eat them simply fresh, as a refreshing snack, or serve with cream or dipped in chocolate at the end of the meal. Alternatively, they’re great in pies, tarts and crumbles.
In the U.K., July is an especially good time for cherries. These have been grown in Britain since Roman times, and wild cherry trees are still a relatively common sight. This month they ripen close to home, meaning there’s no need for them to travel far to get to a supermarket near you. Choose cherries with a soft skin that doesn’t have splits in it, and green stems. If the stems are still attached, don’t take them off until you’re ready to serve.
There are also vegetables that are particularly good in July – notably aubergines (especially those big, plump looking ones) and courgettes, both of which are great on a barbeque, or lightly fried with garlic and perhaps some chilli.
Various types of salad veg are still in season at this time of year – such as rocket, which can be an interesting alternative to lettuce, runner beans, carrots and cucumber. New potatoes are also lovely and fresh, and will soak up any dressing you add to a salad beautifully.
Don’t forget that fish has its times as well – cod, mackerel and sea bass are all worth trying out at the moment, and can form the basis of a light, tasty meal for evenings when it’s too warm to eat anything heavy.
Whichever summer delights you indulge in, remember that you can get them cheaper through mySupermarket.
What’s your favourite summer food?
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“July’s Juicy Delights”…
Jul
01
2010
Flavours our grandparents knew – Older potato varieties make a comeback after 100 yearsPosted by CompareSupermarketPrices.com in News, tags: sainsburys, supermarketSales of potato varieties which fed the nation during World War One are up by 170% say supermarket Sainsbury‘s. The unique bag of Heritage potatoes is specifically designed to let today’s consumers know how spuds tasted a century ago.
Jun
29
2010
Sainsbury’s record strawberry salesPosted by CompareSupermarketPrices.com in News, tags: sainsburys, supermarket, supermarketsSainsbury‘s is expecting to sell more strawberries this year than ever before, following week of record sales. Last week the retailer sold 1.8 million punnets, accounting for 1% of total sales and the supermarkets number one selling line across all of its food ranges.
Jun
28
2010
Promoting Pulses in Your DietPosted by CompareSupermarketPrices.com in News, tags: asda, mysupermarket, ocado, shopping, supermarket, tesco Did you know pulses are full of protein, contain iron and fibre, and count as part of your 5 A DAY? Well, now you do! Pulses are the edible seeds of legumes, and come in pods – things like peas, lentils and beans – and they should be part of every well-stocked kitchen.The high level of protein in pulses makes them especially useful in vegetarian diets – they contain about double the amount of wheat, and triple that in rice. But they’re great for meat-eating members of the family too. Despite being delicious, they’re low in fat and soak up other flavours well, which means that they’re handy for bulking out a dish without detracting from the taste.
Pulses can be used for all sorts of things. Lentils, combined with vegetables like tomatoes, onions or carrots, as well as meat if you want it, make wonderful soups and stews, which are filling and healthy without being overly heavy. You can make a satisfying meal out of just this and some fresh bread or a salad.
Beans like broad beans, which are often popular with the kids, can be added to lasagnes or casseroles to add a soft, creamy texture. Chickpeas, also a favourite with the younger generation, are a great snack if they’re hungry before mealtime and you’d rather not give them junk food, and of course peas go perfectly on the side with meat or fish.
If hot dishes don’t appeal at this time of the year, then pulses are also great in salads. Consider adding kidney beans to fresh leaves and tuna, for example, with perhaps some lemon juice sprinkled over it to make a simple but refreshing course.
You can use tinned or frozen beans at any time, but if you want to use dry beans, remember that you’ll need to soak them properly the night before. Kidney beans and soya beans need to be soaked for at least 12 hours, then drained, rinsed and boiled in fresh water for an hour before.
Adding pulses to salads or other vegetables helps to contribute to your 5 A DAY, as pulses themselves can only make up one portion out of the five; it’s always important to get a good range of fruit and veg in your diet, even if you or your family have a preference for one thing in particular.
Remember that however you choose to incorporate pulses into your menu, you can get the ingredients more cheaply by shopping with mySupermarket.
How do you use pulses in your meals? Let us know!
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“Promoting Pulses in Your Diet”…
Jun
24
2010
Sainsbury’s ‘Drinks in Success’ at quality drink awardsPosted by CompareSupermarketPrices.com in News, tags: sainsburys
Read Full Story…
Jun
22
2010
Sainsbury’s launches biggest back to school campaignPosted by CompareSupermarketPrices.com in News, tags: sainsburysFrom Wednesday (23 June), Sainsbury‘s unveils its biggest ever Back to School campaign as it aims for record year-on-year sales growth. The announcement comes as Kantar data shows that Sainsbury‘s Back Tu School range is now the fastest growing school wear range on the high street – with volume market share of 3.1 % (from 2.5%).
Jun
21
2010
Getting Fond of FonduePosted by CompareSupermarketPrices.com in News, tags: asda, mysupermarket, ocado, shopping, supermarket, tesco If you’re looking for something a bit different one evening, would like to stay in, and don’t feel like going to too much effort, fondue may be the answer. It’s fun, simple and loved by adults and children, so enjoy it as a family treat, or save it for when the kids are in bed and you have friends round. It can also be the basis of a romantic meal for two!The word ‘fondue’ comes from the French verb ‘fondre’ which means ‘to melt’, for the obvious reason that that is exactly what happens. You get an earthenware dish and a small burner – a fondue set – and whatever goes into the dish, well, melts.
The traditional contents of the dish would be a cheese melt of some kind, usually a soft cheese, sometimes a goat cheese, with some white wine and flour. Mixed together and melted, this recipe goes all the way back to the ancient Greeks! There are many more modern options though, so feel free to experiment.
You can use almost any kind of cheese in a fondue, so if you have a real weakness for cheddar, spoil yourself. Adding herbs such as oregano can add a nice touch, while garlic, lemon juice and nutmeg are also popular additions. The type of wine you use also affects the taste, so you can have a different version every time depending on what you have in your fridge. If you’d rather the kids didn’t have the wine version, water works as a replacement, though you might want to add a little sugar to compensate.
There are also a range of other fondue dips – a favourite being chocolate. Again, the type of chocolate you use will vary the recipe, and you can also add things like vanilla or almond flavouring, liqueurs or creams to thicken, sweeten or add different flavours as desired. On a completely different note, meat fondue gives you the option of including beef, chicken or pork in your meal (though be careful to use the right fondue equipment.)
The truth is that pretty much anything that will melt can be a fondue mix, so you can try all sorts of things that your family loves. Peanut butter melts can be great, as can tomato variants. If you’re all garlic-mad, a garlic-flavoured fondue can be delicious. The beauty of fondue is that you can try almost anything you want!
You can also get creative with the things you’re dipping. Bread, especially crusty bread, goes well with cheesy dips, but you can use plain crackers, flavoured crackers, rice cakes or anything else you think would work. For the sweeter fondue melts, fruit like melon, strawberries, pineapple or grapes can complement the taste. If marshmallows or other soft sweets make the kids happy, stick those in.
Side dishes like salads or pasta dishes can supplement the dipping, in case you’re worried there won’t be enough to satisfy your hungriest guests – though it’s amazing how much fondue people can get through!
Whatever kind of fondue you try, you can get the ingredients cheaper by shopping through mySupermarket. What kind of fondue is your favourite? Top Offers:
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Most parents have experienced it, and even if you don’t have any children you’ll probably recall the days when your parents valiantly tried to force those healthy green 
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