Food & Drink Reviews

 Greens Children's Cake Mixes reviewed by Jo from Kent in June 2010

"This is a little bit of fun in a box. Don't expect to be creating the home made muffins or banana bread that your mum makes, as these cakes are truly child size, however the fun mixing, licking the bowl and icing kept my children amused. The instructions are easy to follow and the resulting cakes colourful and fun. The Green's mixes are available at most supermarkets rrp £1.79. Visit www.greenscakes.co.uk for further info.

Mr Kipling Oatibakes £1.29 for 5 reviewed by Pat from London in April 2010

"These look great, individually wrapped and come in a cardboard box so can be recycled.  There are several flavours and we tried the blackcurrant and strawberries ones.  Us grown ups really liked them but our two children didn't.  We're not sure why this was.  I think they would be great for school lunch boxes as a treat as they are wrapped.  However they are not very healthy." 

Robertsons Golden Smooth orange marmalade £1.29 reviewed by Helen from Yorkshire in April 2010

"This was a hit with our family who are not huge marmalade fans.  The squeezy bottle is easy to use but does need a good shake to stop it just squirting out liquid.  It's reduced sugar but doesn't taste as if that is the case.  I have had to explain who Paddington Bear is as he is featured on the bottle.  Maybe a more current character would have appealed to children but of course we understand the marmalade link! And you can collect to win badges and win a bear at the moment.  A great alternative to jam for your morning toast!" Available from Tesco


Organix Goodies Squeezy Fruit Purees reviewed by Sam from Hampshire in March 2010

"Alice loved these and wouldn't pressed as to her favourite flavour - she liked them all best!  She choose them over other less healthy choices at snack time so that must be a good sign.  From my point of view I thought the combinations were very inventive: strawberry, pear and banana, kiwi, pear and orange to name but two.  And very handy packaging from a name you can trust.  I found them invaluable when we were low on fresh fruit and they would be very useful when travelling."  Visit www.organix.com

Perry Court Farm Apple Crisps reviewed by Mandy from East Yorkshire in March 2010

"All my family loved these "crisps" and they didn't taste greasy like other fruit crisps we've had.  These are a really handy alternative to fresh fruit when you're out and about as they are just made of apples and not fried.  The packs are quite large so too big for my little boy but ok when we sharing.  I hope to see these in the supermarkets as I would buy them again."  Visit www.perrycourt.com for stockist and more info

Organix Snacks reviewed by Mel from Hampshire in January 2010

"My 3 girls thought Christmas has come again when I received a selection of Organix Goodies fruit bars and snacks. They were very excited to try all the different ones and even my 8 year old, who is very fussy, loved the Date and Apple Fruit Bar and what pleased her even more that it was one of her 5 a day! The no junk promise and the fact that they are all organic make the whole range great to put in their lunch boxes and I will make sure I have a selection in my bag to take out and about for when my toddler needs a quick snack. The whole range is very tasty and good for the whole family to enjoy." Visit www.organix.com for more details.

Nakd snack bars reviewed by Sam from Hampshire in December 2009

"Really impressed by these snack bars for Alice.  They are all just nuts and dates plus a bit of natural flavouring in a couple of them.  Alice loved them and so did Mummy as they are delicious!  They count as 1 of your 5 a day too.  Although natural they are high in natural sugar and fat (from the nuts) but this is very different to cereal bars.  I'd definitely recommend these for lunch boxes or snacks and we will be buying them again!  Our fave so far is the Cocoa Orange one, I wonder why?"

Available from healthfood shops across the UK, including Wholefood Market, Wild Oats and Planet Organic, or go online at www.eatnakd.com

Dr Oetker's Tree Decorating Activity Kit review by Emma from Northamptonshire in November 2009

"My 11 year old step daughter has used the Dr Oetker Activity Kit today with her Dad she did most of it herself and found it easy, the only part she needed an adult was to melt the chocolate in a bowl over a hot pan of water, she put the chocolate in the tray and once cooled in the fridge she had fun decorating and prepared them to hang on a xmas tree this week. she enjoyed her self and had fun making and will keep the tray to use again and again, just buy more chocolate for it. I think its a good idea and gets the kids doing crafts and more involved with Xmas."

For more information visit www.oetker.co.uk

Hartley's Smooth Squeezy Jam reviewed by Nicola from Northamptonshire in November 2009

"We liked the colour consistancy, packaging and loved the flavour.  Squeezy bottle is easy to wipe after use.   My 2 year old daughter could use it herself very easily and felt really grown up, when she put it on her own toast.   The only problem is that when you a nearing the end of bottle you cannot get the jam out and have to resort to getting the top off and using a knife, which is defeating the object. Overall though a very good product that my whole family enjoyed and not just as breakfast."

And also reviewed by Georgina from Bristol in December 2009

"Thank you for the two samples of Hartley's smooth jam in squeezy bottles, they inspired me to have a go at making scones!  I tried the jam with my scones and thought it had great flavour and the no mess nozzle worked perfectly every time.  Personally, I prefer my jam to have the fruity, lumpy bits but I couldn't fault this new product.  I think it will be great for kids, baking and anyone who doesn't like the lumpy, fruity bits!"

Pom Bear Cheesy Bakes reviewed by several of our Mums' Network in October 2009, more reviews coming...

"My five year old enjoyed these savoury bear shaped snacks, but my three year old was not quite so keen.  They are a nice flavour, although not really very "cheesy" in comparison to other savoury cheese biscuit snacks.  I would give these to a child in the same way as I would give crisps - as a treat, and not an everyday snack because the salt and sugar content is quite high.  In fact, in comparison to a leading brand (Mini Cheddars) there is twice the amount of sodium in one packet and nearly twice the amount of sugar.  Although to counter this, the Pom-Bears have nearly half the amount of fat."

"These are a fun treat for picnics or parties and the very cute little bear shape was a big hit.  The bear shape actually stays intact which is not always true of the other Pom Bear snacks!  I thought they were a bit salty but as a treat I didn't mind giving them to Alice, they are less fatty."

Also a review by Sammie (aged 8) from Hampshire

"The Bear snacks were lovely; I prefer them to normal crisps. They are so cheesy and hard to resist. They look just like little teddy bears which is fun – although not when the boys are around as they will make fun, as they may see them as quite young but really tasty!! We had them for our Halloween party and because they are so crisp they break very easily. This meant that we have many teddy body parts that worked well at the party. It was really funny saying – I am eating legs or heads!!"

Feel Good Drinks reviewed by Zena from Kent in October 2009

"The first thing that struck me when I got these was how well they fit into a lunch box, the package design is very clever.

When Beth and Benn tried the drinks there were mixed results, Beth with no comment, as usual but she drank it all up! Benn took his to school for break, he was having a bit of a gloomy day and when he got home said 'the feel good drink you gave me didn't make me feel good straight away, but I think it started working by lunch time.' As you can tell, kids do expect a product to do exactly what it says.

In my opinion, the drinks were tasty, healthy and 100% natural - atleast I felt good putting them in the lunch box."

Dalepak’s Sausage and Baked Bean Crispbake reviewed by Daniella from Surrey in September 2009

"Dalepak Sausage and Baked Bean Crispbakes are a combination of Baked Beans, Onions, Cumberland Sausage and Tomatoes lightly seasoned and coated in a crispy breadcrumb. They have no artificial colours or flavours and at 166 calories are great for mummies too. The Crispbakes were a success with all the family, even my super-fussy toddler ate two for his tea! The sausages in it were not exactly how they are pictured on the box (whole slices) more like tiny chunks and my toddler found the flavour to be a bit strong. However he still ate them and I will definitely buy them again."  Available from Asda priced £1 for 4 bakes