Guest blog by Steve
When all is cold and dark nothing beats a bit of warmth, comfort and good nourishment to carry us through until the first signs of spring arrive.
Getting out of a warm, snug bed (or into a cold one, brrrr) is always unpleasant but a small fan heater in those cold places for a few minutes soon takes the chill off and adds a bit of comfort.
I tested two. Firstly, the Dimplex DXFF30TSN (left). With a 3 Kilowatt element it will heat up any space quickly and its thermostatic control means that you can leave it at your selected temperature range. It has three heat settings: cold (for summer), high and low.
Next up, there’s the De’Longhi DCH6031 (right). It uses an efficient ceramic heating element instead of a standard element. It has rubber feet so that it can safely be placed on a slippery surface, like a table, without it sliding off. There is a safety switch underneath so that if it is knocked over it will automatically turn off. It has 4 heat settings: cold and 1, 2, or 3 heat settings for controllability as well as the thermostatic control. It is quieter than the first model so less obtrusive if maybe using as a top up heater in the living room.
Some animals hibernate in winter, conserving their energy by sleeping. Whilst that’s not an option for us we do need to take care of ourselves during the winter. Using a fitness tracker that features a sleep monitor can help ensure you make more effort to get more rest. Fitness trackers aren’t just for the über fit – they work to motivate you into moving more, eating better and even setting sleep goals. Read more about fitness trackers / smartbands here.
Another way to keep ourselves built up and in good health is by eating nutritious, hot and tasty food and in winter there’s nothing like a wholesome soup made with your favourite ingredients to warm you from the inside, out. Why not take a look at this Tefal BL841140 soup maker (left). It has a 1000w motor to drive the stainless steel, removable, shredding blades to make smooth soup, or you can chose the chunky option if you like your soups more stew-like. The 1.2 litre capacity makes for plenty to go around and its stay warm function means you can go back for another bowl, knowing it’s the right temperature! For me, nothing warms a cold Winter’s day like a delicious spicy chicken and vegetable soup, full of beans or lentils to fill you up. Try adding some greens for added iron and vitamins, my favourite is spinach, which I hand tear and chuck in towards the end. It’s filling, warming, delicious AND healthy.
If your taste buds crave something sweeter then you can chose the smoothie option with delicious and nutritious, energy-giving fruit.
If you like fresh bread with your soup, then you can’t beat homemade bread made with natural ingredients to your taste. I personally recommend the Morphy Richards 48280 (right) fast bake breadmaker. It only takes an hour to create a fantastic loaf and boasts twelve programmes including a cake mix and jam making programme, amongst others. It also has a 13 hour delay time so you can wake up to the delicious smell of fresh, warm bread.
So, why not warm your cockles by calling into your local Hughes shop to view our wide selection of similar products – we even offer demonstrations on many products in-store. Or alternatively you can shop in the comfort of your own home at hughes.co.uk!
