October Favourites

Can you believe it’s October already?

I read somewhere the other day that time your perception of time moves proportionally quicker as you get older. You know how when you were a kid a year was FOREVER, but now it’s gone in a flash. We all pretty much know that, right? But the scary thing was, that according to your perception of time passing, your life is basically 90% over by the time you’re 25. Those may not be the right figures, and if I were a proper journalist I’d go find the book and check, but I’m not, I’m a blogger, and apparently all we do is make things up and blag free stuff. So lets just stick with those figures and realise that according to our own perception of time, most of us reading this are basically nearly dead.

Then we can move onto some of the free stuff I’ve been sent this month. I am a blogger after all.

Actually, not all these things were sent to me as samples, some of them I bought, but they are all excellent things that I’ve been enjoying through October.

Kinetik X2 Blood Pressure Monitor

Those of you who are regular readers will no doubt have been following the “Gemma has High Blood Pressure and We’re Not Sure Why” saga.

It involved threats of invasive medical procedures, that, for now at least, I have talked my way out of.

As of the last few checks, my blood pressure is being maintained nicely by a pretty low dose of medication, and I’d like to keep it that way.

Kinetik offered me the chance to try one of their Blood Pressure Monitors, and I said yes, because it seemed like the perfect opportunity to keep an eye on what my Blood Pressure is doing between doctor visits. It means I can spot early if there are any fluctuations and go back to see my GP or contact my Consultant.

The machine is really easy to use, it’s like one of those automatic machines they often use in GP surgeries that don’t need a stethoscope. It even has a snappy armband that means it’s easy to put on yourself without help.

Many people find that their blood pressure goes up slightly when they are checked in a hospital or clinic, so home monitoring is a good way to keep an eye on yourself if you have a family history of high blood pressure

The monitor costs just £34.99 on the Kinetik Website.

And in case you were wondering what my blood pressure was today (this is a vast improvement on 160/90)

Tartan Trousers

If you read my weekly updates you’ll know that so far this month I have ordered and tried 7 pairs of tartan trousers in a desperate attempt to find the perfect pair.

I have decided on this pair from ASOS. They look COMPLETELY different on me than on the model. I just need to take up the hems and then I promise I will bring you a photo!

Denzel’s Superfood Dog Chews

The lovely people at Denzel’s decided the Pugs looked like they were half-starved and offered to send over one of their suitcases of superfood dog chews.

The chews are grain free and stuffed full of healthy goodies. For a small dog half a chew is probably enough, though they could definitely manage a whole one!

The Pugs loved them. They loved them so much that when we accidentally left one of the boxes too close to the edge of the shelf some mountaineering took place and this happened.

Superdrug Vitamin E Hot Cloth Cleanser

There is a theme that I’m noticing in my beauty product life. It involves me hunting for years for a reasonably priced product that suits me, and then it promptly being discontinued.

For some years now I have been using a hot cloth cleanser by No 7, and I loved it. I bulk buy it when it’s on 3 for 2, so I hadn’t had to buy any since some time around last Christmas. When I went to stock up I discovered it had disappeared and been replaced by a more expensive product that got some scathing reviews.

So off on the hunt for a replacement I went. Everyone tells me that Liz Earle is the one to get, but I am far too poor for that. The second recommendation was Superdrug.

I’ve actually bought 2 different types. I’ll get to the Naturally Radiant one soon, but the first one I tried was the Vitamin E Hot Cloth Cleanser. This is meant more for dry skin, but as we come into winter I’m really loving it. It’s not over fragranced, the cream is rich and massages well into my skin, using only a small amount, and the muslin cloth provided is large and good quality.

I suspect that it may be a little too rich for me in the Summer months, but we shall see. I’m hoping the Naturally Radiant version is just as nice and will work for the Summer.

I’m super chuffed, because at the moment this is just as good as the No7 version, in easier to use packaging, and costs a lot less. The Naturally Radiant version is also on sale at the moment I notice, so is only £2.95 a tube, so I’d grab some while you can if I were you as now I have started buying it, it will no doubt shortly be discontinued.

Peanut Hottie Peanut Butter Powder

It’s quite absurd how excited I was when Peanut Hottie emailed me about this new product. I loved Peanut Hottie drink, though I preferred the non-chocolate version, which has, apparently, been discontinued (see above.)

This new product is a powder, that when mixed with water, turns into actual peanut butter, except with 80% less fat. Now, I’m obsessed with peanut butter. I buy kilo tubs and eat it with a spoon, which is a shame, because of its high fat content. The idea of peanut butter with 80% less fat is very appealing to me.

For the last few weeks I have been putting peanut butter powder in everything and I can officially tell you what works and what doesn’t.

First up, if you mix it with water and eat it by the spoonful, it doesn’t taste quite like real peanut butter. I was a little disappointed. Then I put it in a sandwich and it was amazing, between slices of bread and with cheese (Yes, I eat peanut butter and cheese sandwiches, ok) it is an excellent peanut butter substitute, just with less fat.

It does not, sadly, work as a hot drink in place of hot chocolate. For that, you will need the original Peanut Hottie mix, but when added to a smoothie it’s just amazing and I swear gives more of a peanut butter flavour than adding actual peanut butter. I’ve also tried it in porridge, which was also a winner.

Peanut Hottie Peanut Butter Powder has definitely earned its place in my cupboard this October.