Review Round-up: New year, new start

This months review round-up focuses on that new year, new start feel we often have in January. You know what I mean – it’s the time of year when we all start joining gyms, choosing salads instead of burgers and writing long lists of resolutions and goals. Whether we keep to them or not is a different matter of course….

I have some great reviews to share with you this month. Products to inspire and help you on your new year journey to be fit and healthy – once again the blogging community has it covered!

For the healthy eaters, this post from Hello Baby features 6 of the very best healthy eating cookbooks – something for every type of diet or meal plan, from detox and super food bibles to 15 minute meal ideas for the whole family.

I have made a resolution relating to healthy eating myself this year – I want to cook with more fresh ingredients, and I really want to buy local – not just for myself but also to enable me to teach the children about where their food comes from. We have recently tried a Riverford Organic recipe box, and were very impressed. We have since signed up to their vegetable box scheme – I love the fact we get fresh, local produce every week, and it has encouraged us to try new things too.

Following on with the healthy eating theme, have you though about quitting sugar? There has been a lot of talk about this in the press lately, and it is definitely something we have considered as a family – although I just don’t know if I could resist Mini Eggs at this time of year! Mummy Tries has been following the dietGAPS plan and says she feels so much better for it too!

Diets are always a big talking point at this time of year, whether they are for health reasons or just to lose a bit of Christmas weight. Sim’s Life has been following the New You plan and has lost 4 stone so far – isn’t that amazing?!

Emmy’s Mummy has been writing about her experience with Slimpod – a podcast that changes the way you think about food and yourself to aid you in living more healthily and losing weight. I love the fact that this is not a diet, it’s not about counting calories – it’s just about making some very simple changes to your daily life. Podcast is also trying out the Slimpod, and I am looking forward to reading how she gets on with her 12 week trial.

Keeping fit is always a January theme, and Motherhood Diaries has been getting active with the Polar Loop 2 and the Polar H2 heart rate sensor. I think activity trackers are a great idea, and a real encouragement when you are exercising.

If you are in need of some new kitchen gadgets to aid in you in your healthy eating plans, then take a look at this great Vitamix 750 vs The Sage blender review from U, Me and the Kids. It’s great to see how 2 similar products fare against each other, and can be really useful when looking to buy a new item. We love our blender, it gets used a lot – all 4 of my little ones love making fruit smoothies, and it’s a great way to get their 5 a day into them in one easy swoop!

If the new year makes you want to live a more eco and natural lifestyle, you might want to check out this Hippy Paste natural deodrant, as reviewed by Midwife and Life. Never tested on animals and made from all natural ingredients, this is certainly worth a look for those looking to be kinder to the planet this year.

My skin took a real battering over Christmas, and the cold winter weather and seemingly constant drizzle really isn’t helping matters! I was really interested to read this Skinaide review from Mum in a Nutshell – it is a liquid supplement that claims to help promote natural collagen production, reducing fine lines and wrinkles and increasing hydration. Sounds perfect doesn’t it?

I definitely need to try and be more organised this year – that’s one of my biggest resolutions. Instead of having post it notes stuck everywhere and reminders pinging on my phone every day, I love the idea of having everything written down neatly in something like this Stick to Stigu planner as reviewed by Quite Frankly She Said. There is room for blog notes, family information and appointments – perfect for any busy parent!

That’s it from me for this month. I hope you all have a great New Year and manage to stick to at least some of those resolutions! The next post from me will be live in February – if you have written a great review post you would like to feature, then please do get in touch!