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Hunger has a way of creeping up on you when you’re on the road. And, as we all know, the options available en route – at garages and service stations – aren’t always the cheapest or the healthiest. By planning ahead and packing the right snacks, you and your family can eat well on the road.

Where to eat
If you’ve got the time, there’s nothing like taking a lunch break in a scenic spot. It’s a great way for everyone to stretch their legs and get refreshed before resuming the journey. If you’re passing through scenic countryside, you could schedule a break by the side of a river or near some woods. Make sure you carry plenty of paper plates and plastic cutlery and pick up any rubbish left behind.

If you’re running short of time, your family might need to eat on the go, but as a driver you should follow these safety tips:

• The government advises drivers against eating or drinking behind the wheel as this may cause distraction. So pull over safely before eating or drinking.
• If you’re behind the wheel, it’s best to avoid a heavy meal, as the AA warns this can lead to driver fatigue.
• Drivers should never drink alcohol before driving, as it is illegal and dangerous. Any amount of alcohol can impair your driving ability.  

Good food
There are many options for what to eat on the road, but some are more car-friendly than others. Here are our suggestions for a healthy meal:

• Dry crackers, rice cakes, dry fruit bars and fresh veg – such as cherry tomatoes, carrot sticks and celery – are all healthier options compared to high-fat, sugary snacks.
• Home-made popcorn can be a good alternative to crisps and salted nuts.
• Pots of yogurt and fresh fruits such as strawberries and grapes can make for easy-to-eat desserts.
• Children can dip into packets of goodies like nuts, olives and berries whenever they want.

Always pack plenty of food to go around, and even take extra in case of unexpected delays and do make sure that young children are supervised when eating finger foods, to avoid the risk of choking.

What to drink
Fizzy drinks can be a temptation, but are best avoided. Doctors in the US have found that the caffeine in fizzy drinks can interfere with children’s sleep. Instead, pack plenty of water in a cool bag. You could also bring along milk for young children.

Pack it right
Pack your healthy treats into small zip lock bags or Tupperware pots, so that they can be easily and fairly distributed to each family member.

Consider packing all your food in holdalls so you can get to it easily, without obscuring your view of the road. Bags should be secured firmly: any loose piece of luggage can fly around in the event of a sudden halt and cause injury.

Make sure you pack plenty of waste bags and wet wipes to clean up any mess.

Plan well and you can rest assured that your family has something healthy to eat on the road. Choosing the right car insurance for your needs can also put your mind at ease.

Following on from the Brit Mums Live 2012 Meet and Greet linky that's being hosted by Stepford Wifey, Michelle over at has tagged me for the Ultimate Brit Mums Meme that was started off by Claire from A Boy With Aspergers. I may be slightly excited about attending Brit Mums Live. I'm hoping it doesn't show too much.


Q: What’s your blog title/URL and how long have you been blogging?
bodfortea.co.uk. I started hanging out on this little corner of cyberspace in Jan 2011. Wow, how time flies.


Q: Will Britmums Live be your First blogging conference?
Yes! I'm totally over excited about it wheeeee! *cough* I mean, I'm looking forward to the experience.


Q: Did you bag yourself a sponsor?
No, I'm paying for myself and just want to go and experience it for me without any pressure.


Q: Are you attending both days?
Nope, only Saturday. I'll be there in spirit on Friday though!


Q: What are you most looking forward to about the conference?
Finally meeting the lovely bloggers that I've been chatting to virtually for over a year! And be aware... I'm tactile...


Q: Are you wearing Branded Clothing (your sponsors brand)?
Errrrr... nope. Unless Gucci wants to send me something?


Q: What is your planed style for this event?
I'm planning on rocking my new trimmer, fitter, leaner figure thanks to the . Failing that I shall wear a sack and sit at the back.

Update 30 May 2012: Ermmm... ok so now that I'm 15 weeks pregnant, I'm not going to be pulling off the new learner figure thang. So I'll be the one in a maxi dress with an already-too-big bump.


Q: Are you hoping to be nominated for a BiB award?
In all honesty? I'm not expecting it. I didn't even get round to nominating myself!


Q: If so what category?
I refer my honourable friend to the answer I gave some moments ago.


Q: Will you be looking to network with Brands?
Perhaps, depends who is there. I'm fussy who I link up with. I have to really like the product or brand to work with them. My main focus is meeting some fab people to share a coffee with.


Q: What do u hope to walk away having gained from the conference?
*Leans over Claire and Michelle's shoulder and copies* New ideas, inspiration, contacts and new friendships.


Q: Will you be dressing up in the toilets for the Friday night BiBs?
Ha ha! This question made me laugh. But I'm only going on Saturday, so no.


Q: Are you speaking at the conference and if so when, where and how do you feel about doing so?
Heck no!


Q: Will you be joining in the early morning bloggercise on the Saturday?
At coffee o'clock? Not likely.


Q: What speakers are you most looking forward to listening to?
Sarah Brown and Andrea Stuart, but I'm sure they'll all be interesting.


Q: What workshops will you be attending on the Friday (Day 1)
Errrr... none.


Q: What Workshops being held on the Saturday (Day 2) have grabbed your attention?
Beginning Blogger Essentials, because there's always more to learn, Secrets and Lies and How to create an ebook.


Q: Are you booked into a hotel for the Friday night, if yes which one?
Chez Bod for tea.


Q: Will you be looking for after party drinks
Wish I was but I will be running to catch a train home and hug my lovely husband for babysitting for the day.


Q: Are you worried about not knowing anyone or being confident and socialising on the day?
It's funny, I know I should be, but not yet. I guess I will nearer the time, but I feel I already know so many people going even if we haven't actually MET yet.


Q: What’s are you most likely to be found doing while attending Britmums Live?
Drinking coffee. And chatting. And possibly squealing. A lot.

Now here's the rules... basically copy the questions and answer them, link back to A Boy with Aspergers and there is a linky there so we can all find each other and learn a bit more. Then tag a few more people to join in.

So I am tagging *looks around*:





Image credit: the absolutely fantabulous cartoonist Cathy Thorne at Everyday People Cartoons

He sat for a moment, not waiting for the silence, but for the roar. The red box sat on his lap and he drummed his fingers on its supple leather top, soaking up the atmosphere and raising an eyebrow at his smirking opposite number. Finally, his adrenaline peaked, he stood, placed the box on the lectern in front of him and opened the two brass locks with a satisfying click. As he lifted the lid to pull out the new budget his hand closed upon a slinky-silkiness that he really hadn't expected. "Damn," he thought, his bluster extinguished, "wrong box".


This week's prompt in the 100 word challenge for adults is '...the red box...'. Read the other entries over at Julia's Place.

Image credit - HM-treasury.gov.uk

I’ve been tagged in a Mother's Day Meme by Not my year off. It was originally created by Loretta over at More Than A Mum who thought it would be a nice way to celebrate Mother's Day by answering some questions. And why not? So here goes…

Describe Motherhood in three words
Amazing, challenging, enlightening.

Does your experience differ from your mother’s – how?
Yes... we needed fertility treatment to get pregnant and we conceived, were pregnant and gave birth in China where OH was working at the time. And no... all babies and children are different but a lot of our experiences are essentially very similar. My Mother's advice is ALWAYS relevant.

What’s the best thing?
Everything and nothing. The amazing fact that she is even here with us, against the odds, and the fact that she learned to say 'supercalifragilisticexpialidocious' yesterday. And the cuddles. Oh those cuddles.

How has it changed you?
I've had to learn some patience. I've learned that good enough is usually enough. I've learned that the direct route is not always the quickest way to get things done and that distraction is the best tool in the box. But as a person, I'm still a control freak and I still write lists. Same 'ol, same 'ol.

What do you hope for your children?
That she is healthy and happy, because in the end that is all that matters.

What do you fear for them?
That modern life won't let her stay a child for long enough and that I won't always be there for her.

What makes it all worthwhile?
At bedtime she cuddles on my lap with her favourite toy, her head snuggled into my neck, her soft breath on my skin. The day just melts away and there is nothing but us; Mother and child.

Now I have to tag some mummy’s so I tag:

The moment we breach the top step as we venture upstairs after tea DD engages her second wind. It really is a sight to behold and a miracle of energy consumption. There's probably a biological equation that explains it better but basically a sleepy toddler downstairs consumes a small amount of food, wearily climbs the stairs to Befordshire and then proceeds to bounce off the walls like Tigger on crack. I wouldn't mind so much if she lived on a tea-time diet of Coca-Cola and chocolate, but Marmite on toast, diced pear and yoghurt? Mmm...

So with all this energy floating about you can well imagine that bath time, which in the cycle of our day falls neatly between tea and bed time aka the battleground, is a pretty crazy affair. It was quite fortuitous therefore that the nice folks (well, I assume they're nice folks, one likes to think positively of people one has never met) at Crazy Soap dropped me a line and asked if we'd like to review their range of children's bath products.

When the box arrived DD was immediately taken with the bright packaging and when I explained that the blue tube and the red tube were paint that she could play with in the bath she all but swung her towel over her shoulder and donned a shower cap. It was only lunchtime though and so a useful lesson in patience ensued.

DD: Is it bath time yet, Mummy?
Me: No, not yet.

The small print: We were sent the full range of Crazy Soap bath products to review. We received no other compensation and all opinions are my own. This giveaway is open to UK residents aged 18 or over, one entry per household, and will be open until 6am (ish) on Monday 26 March 2012. There is no cash alternative. The winner will be chosen at random via Random.org. The winner will have 48 hours to claim the prize or another winner will be chosen, again at random. You don't have to subscribe to Bod for tea or like my or follow me on as part of your entry. (But I wouldn't complain if you did!)


Cartoon Image: Simon Howden / FreeDigitalPhotos.net 

ThePrizeFinder - UK Competitions

100 word challenge

This week's prompt is the phrase 'but I turned it off'. Read the other entries in the 100 word challenge for grown ups over at Julia's Place.


Image: dream designs / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Last week DD had her first afternoon at what we're calling 'big nursery'. It's linked to her current morning nursery but instead of being in a village hall with only 2-3 year olds, it's at a proper primary school with 2-5 year olds. Big difference. Huuuuge difference. We were told that as she starts at lunchtime she can bring a pack lunch and eat it with the other toddlers.

Now here's the thing. DD doesn't do normal packed lunches. She won't eat sandwiches, she frankly doesn't want to eat at all unless I'm there reminding her to take another bite and we're gotten into the habit of watching a DVD while she eats as it keeps her in one place for a period of time and heck, she just eats more food. I KNOW this is not a good habit to get into. But I have an theory. If she can see other children eating and see that it's normal and fun to eat, she might do the same of her own volition.

It was with some trepidation that I packed a lunch of cheese and bacon with pasta in tomato and basil sauce, a yoghurt, fruit smoothie pouch, banana and some yoghurt raisins that morning. But following  to fussy eating I decided to go with the flow. The set up at nursery was lovely, all the toddlers going for the afternoon sat around two small tables on little chairs and ate their sandwiches out of their pretty lunch boxes. My hopes lifted. Then DD took one look at the room full of toys and headed in the opposite direction to her lunch without even a backward glance. My hopes deflated again.

When I picked her up later that afternoon the teachers were full of apologies that DD hadn't eaten a single bite of her lunch. They thought it was their fault. But I had a sneaking suspicion that actually, it was mine.


Have your little ones got any bad eating habits? How have you tried to conquer them? Any hints and tips to share since we last got together? Link up and share your stories...

Here's a reminder what the Fussy Eaters Support Club is all about...


I got to thinking that there must be other Mummys and Daddys out there who have the same goal that I do; for DD to eat as much as she wants of what we're eating as a family, but to at least eat some of it. Perhaps we can support each other? And so the Fussy Eaters Support Club was born. Each month (or so) I'll post up a linky thingy for anyone with a fussy eater to air their story, share recipes and their tips for what works (and what doesn't), to celebrate their fussy eater successes or to just have a good old fashioned whinge about it all.



Image: Stoonn / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

This week's prompt is this photograph of a sculpture made entirely from recycled driftwood at the Eden Project in Cornwall. You can read the other entries in the 100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups at Julia's Place.

100 word challenge

The ticket is booked, the babysitter is arranged (OH with both grandmothers on speed dial), the transport is figured out and the itinerary is planned. I am officially going to Brit Mums Live *squeal*. And now I realise that I haven't actually met any other bloggers before. Like in the flesh. Scary Mary. Thankfully Carly over at Stepford Wifey is holding a Meet and Greet linky so I can see that (most) people are (fairly) normal human beings. Phew! So now I guess it's my turn...

Hi *waves* I'm Bod for tea and here is my meet and greet: