Elizabeth's Kitchen Diary

Recipes, travel & adventure from the wild and remote Shetland Islands

The Mega Food Blog Birthday Giveaway!

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One winner – over £585 worth of prizes!

Image source: Shutterstock, copyright Billion Photos

This week sees two significant milestones in my life. First, my blog turned five years old! I can’t believe the time has gone by so quickly since I first started sharing recipe posts as a hobby (read: procrastination from university study!), to blogging, freelance writing and recipe development becoming my full time job.

Secondly, I turn 40 this week. As I type this I am in the final hours of my 30’s and, if I am to be honest, I’m approaching this birthday with a degree of reluctance. I don’t know why, but I am not keen on the whole idea of turning 40. I know I’ll wake up on my birthday and things won’t be any different than they were the day before, except I’ll be a little bit older, but still…. heading into my fifth decade makes me want to squeeze out a few little tears.

So! To celebrate these events, because they are definitely celebration-worthy, I have reached out to brands I have worked with over the last five years to offer you this…. The Mega Blog Birthday Giveaway!

To enter, simply scroll to the bottom and enter via Rafflecopter. You’ll have to leave a blog post comment to unlock the rest of the entry options. I’d love it if you left a comment to help cheer me up about this whole turning 40 thing. The more ridiculous the comment the better as I have a strange sense of humour. 🙂

ProWare Kitchen Mini Pan Set Giveaway

PROWARE KITCHEN MINI PAN SET WITH MINI LADLE

I have been using the ProWare Kitchen Copper Tri-Ply pots and pans set in my kitchen since the summer of 2013 and I honestly, hand on heart, love this entire range to bits. The copper exterior of my set has aged beautifully over the years (I’ve never brought them back to their original shine, preferring the aged copper look), while the stainless steel cooking surfaces are still just as good quality as the day they arrived.

I’ve worked with many different pots and pans brands over the years and have noticed that over time that non-stick surfaces eventually flake off, handles loosen and fall off, or the pans warp (if you drop them!), but the ProWare range – impeccable, still, and they’ve been well used – daily! It’s well worth the investment.

ProWare have kindly offered one of their mini pan sets with a mini ladle worth £83 for this mega blog birthday giveaway. This includes their Copper Tri-Ply 9 cm Mini Pan £19; their Copper Tri-Ply 10 cm Mini Casserole £29; their Copper Tri-Ply 12 cm Mini Frying Pan £17 and their silver plated stainless steel Mini Ladle £16.

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Fine Italy Tuscan Menu Giveaway

FINE ITALY – THE TUSCAN MENU

I have been on a culinary tour of Italy over these last few months, sampling the various menus from Fine Italy. I have been saving this one, the Tuscan Menu, for my 40th birthday celebrations. Each menu delivery comes with everything you need to prepare a complete four course meal for four people, with wine, without having to add any other ingredients. It’s packed into a fantastic wooden crate too, with the Fine Italy logo burned onto the outside.

Cooking instructions are very simple, meaning I can take the day off in my kitchen on my birthday and have my husband and children prepare a dinner of the finest regional specialities from the Tuscan region of Italy.

Fine Italy have very kindly offered one of my readers the chance to enjoy this menu too.

For the starter you will enjoy sun dried tomatoes and black olive pate on olive oil bruschetta along with pork salami cured in hemp leaves. For the first course, penne pasta with a spicy arrabbiata tomato sauce. For the second course, slow cooked Chianina beef; the best meat in Tuscany prepared to a traditional recipe. For dessert, almond biscotti and cherries in Fresia wine syrup. To serve throughout the meal, Tuscan wine: a classic Chianti Classico red. RRP £54.78

If a four course meal is too much you can now order a main with a dessert from only £3.49 per person. Visit their website to find out more.

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Grana Padano Cheese and Proscuitto di San Daniele Gift Box Giveaway

GRANA PADANO CHEESE AND PROSCUITTO DI SAN DANIELE

Did you know that Grana Padano cheese was invented by Benedictine monks who wanted to find a way to preserve surplus milk? Dating back to 1100 AD its quality reputation quickly spread and it was served at both Renaissance banquets held by princes and dukes as well as being a main source of nourishment for people in rural areas.

Proscuitto di San Daniele is cured in San Daniele del Fruili where the sea breeze off the Adriatic meets the winds from the Alps, the morainic hills curb humidity and the Tagliamento river regulates the temperature. This results in the perfect microclimate to preserve the thigh meat of selected Italian pigs.

Using only sea salt and traditional techniques dating back for centuries, the result gives us a prosciutto
that is delicate to the taste and so soft to palate that it melts in the mouth. Its aroma grows more persistent as maturing progresses.

Both Grana Padano cheese and Proscuitto di San Daniele have been recognised by the European Union as Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) products since 1996, and they have kindly offered one of my readers the chance to win one of their taster gift boxes worth approximately £10.

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Prendime Bar by Amedei Tuscany

PRENDIME BAR FROM AMEDEI TUSCANY

Amedei Tuscany, founded in 1990, was born from Tuscan-born Cecilia Tessieri’s vision and love of chocolate. Cecilia has embarked on a mission to make Italian chocolate the most exquisite chocolate possible. After a number of apprenticeships between France, Belgium and Germany and having always had a desire to find the world’s best cocoa beans and a continual search for perfection has resulted in her being the only woman in the world to hold the renowned title of Maitre Chocolatier, and producing the six-time winner of the Academy of Chocolate’s Golden Bean award.

Amedei chocolate has received cult-like status amongst chefs and chocolate aficionados, especially considering it is one of the only Italian chocolate companies to have control over the entire production line, from cocoa bean to the finished product. Amedei chocolate is not only delicious, it is pure and as healthy as chocolate can be. Cecilia has managed to eliminate the use of soy lecithin and conservatives.

Amedei is available online and at Fortnum & Mason, Liberty’s, Selfridges and Harvey Nichols.

They have very kindly offered one of my readers the chance to win their Prendimé Bar – a 500 gram slab of chocolate the size of a computer keyboard – perfect for smashing into pieces and sharing at the dining table (or not!). RRP approximately £25.

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Mirrie Dancers Chocolatier Giveaway

MIRRIE DANCERS CHOCOLATE BOX

Mirrie Dancers is a new quality chocolatier based on our wild and remote Shetland Islands, run by my friend Dave Williams. Locally, the Northern Lights are known as the Mirrie Dancers and this chocolatier aims to capture their magic in the palm of your hand. A wide variety of delicious flavours are currently available, with more being added regularly.

For the Christmas season he’s come up with some rather fantastic chocolate ideas including some festive chocolate Christmas baubles, and then there’s his very popular ‘chorcas’, Belgian chocolate orcas. If you’re looking for a unique gift idea this Christmas season this would work perfectly.

Mirrie Dancers have very kindly offered a box of 12 northern lights-inspired chocolates worth £12 as a prize.

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BarWise™ Bottle Opener Gift Set from Joesph Joesph

BarWise™ Bottle Opener Gift Set from Joesph Joesph

BarWise™ is a stylish range of innovative bar tools from Joesph Joesph that revolutionises the way you open bottles. The intuitive design of each product makes opening capped or corked bottles far easier than with conventional openers.

The easy-to-use design of their BarWise™ Corkscrew makes removing corks from bottles a doddle. Simply push the corkscrew down onto the neck of the bottle, grip the sides and wind the handle clockwise to drive the screw into the cork. Continue winding and the cork is removed effortlessly, without the need to lever or pull it out like a conventional corkscrew. It also features integrated twin foil cutters.

Their handy Magnetic Bottle Opener features a unique 360° stainless-steel opening edge that means you can prise off bottle caps from any angle. Once off, the magnetic head can hold up to 4 bottle caps at a time.

This BarWise™ Bottle Opener Gift Set from Joesph Joesph retails for £20.

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Pizza Express Giveaway

DINNER AT PIZZA EXPRESS

I get invited to all sorts of fantastic events all over the UK, and even further abroad. Seriously, I was invited to an event in New York once! Unfortunately, living as remotely as I do transportation costs (and the time it takes) are prohibitively expensive so I have to regretfully decline nearly all of these invitations.

I recently received an invitation to taste test the new Christmas menu at my nearest Pizza Express. Unfortunately, said venue is 218.1 miles away, with most of those miles being open sea. So, Pizza Express have kindly offered for one of my readers to go in my place!

This Christmas, Pizza Express has well and truly mastered the art of indulgence. Their delicious Porchetta Natale Romana pizza boasts a succulent pulled, seasoned hog roast topping with a sage and onion rosemary herb stuffing while their Cauliflower Cheese and Cauliflower E Carne Cheese Romana pizza recipes put an unexpected twist on traditional winter comfort foods. For sweet toothed dough lovers, Snowball Dough Balls are by popular demand and to wash it all down, sample the sumptuous Mulled Sloe Gin.

Pizza Express have very kindly offered my readers to win a £50 voucher for their nearest Pizza Express restaurant, although by the time this giveaway ends their Christmas menu may be finished, but still… free pizza!

In the meantime, why don’t you play their #shakethetree game on messenger – you might win a prize!

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5.7 litre Crock Pot with Hinged Lid Giveaway

5.7 LITRE CROCK POT

I use my Crock Pot, a lot. I find it’s the perfect kitchen appliance for slow cooking tougher cuts of meat, and especially those strange little flappy bits of Shetland lamb that somehow end up in my freezer every year (I buy a lamb for the freezer and that’s always the last bit to be cooked).

Crock Pot have very kindly offered one of their new 5.7 litre slow cookers as a prize to one of my readers. This new model has the lid attached so you don’t have to worry about condensation dripping onto your countertop when your meal is ready, it simply falls back into the bowl.

Their larger bowl is ideal for larger families with busy lifestyles – effortlessly feeding 5-6 people. Simply place all the ingredients in, select high or low and get on with your day. Your meal will be ready when you return and you can serve it straight from the slow cooker bowl! Win! RRP £35.99

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Cirio Tomato Goody Bag Giveaway

CIRIO TOMATO GOODIE BAG

Hhrrrmm…. there appears to be a bit of an Italian theme going on here! I’ve been cooking with Cirio tomatoes now for quite some time. I confess, before I tasted the wide variety of tinned and jarred tomato products from Cirio I would only cook with the lower end supermarket range.

That was until I learned the difference that quality makes to home cooking, and I’m a firm Cirio convert now. My favourite? Their pomodorino cherry tomatoes. Heavenly!

Cirio have very kindly offered a goodie bag of their products for this mega giveaway including: 1 x tin Cirio chopped tomatoes; 1 tetra pack Cirio chopped tomatoes; 1 x jar of Cirio passata; 1 x tin Cirio peeled plum tomatoes; 1 x tin Cirio Filetti tomatoes; 1 x tin Cirio Datterini tomatoes; 1 x Cirio keyring; 1 x Cirio trolley disc; 1 x Cirio apron and 1 x Cirio shopper bag with an approximate value of £20.

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Redmond Multicooker RMC-280E Giveaway

REDMOND MULTICOOKER RMC-280E

This innovative product – the multicooker REDMOND RMC-280E – was introduced into the European market in 2014. This irreplaceable kitchen helpmate can save you time and money, replacing a whole range of kitchen appliances such as a stove, oven, slow cooker, steamer, bread maker, deep fryer, yoghurt maker and many others.

I’ve been working with one of their older models for a few years now (currently on a pre-Christmas offer for only £33!) and I’m really impressed with the versatility of the product, as well as the ease of storage. You can quite literally cook anything in these multicookers – the perfect kitchen appliances for smaller kitchens, or even for caravans.

This particular model comes equipped with 51 cooking programmes, time delay and keep warm functions, a five litre non stick ceramic bowl and a programmable choice of time and temperature settings from 35 – 175 C.

It also comes with a cookbook developed by Redmond chefs, with 100 delicious recipes from European cuisine. RRP £175

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SoundPEATS True Wireless Earbuds Bluetooth V4.2 Twins Stereo Sound Headset Giveaway

SoundPEATS True Wireless Earbuds Bluetooth V4.2 Twins Stereo Sound Headset

I like to listen to music while I’m working or cooking away in my kitchen. Everyone puts on Marilyn Manson or System of a Down when they bake a cake, no? Over the years I’ve reviewed several SoundPeats products including some of their earlier wireless headphones and (my favourite) their portable P2 bluetooth speaker (£15.99). This speaker has come in handy outside of my kitchen recently as our car stereo has decided to randomly switch on and off, constantly, draining our car battery, so it’s had to be disconnected. Trips into town are now made musical through this speaker and my iPhone play list.

SoundPEATS have kindly offered one of their newest wireless bluetooth headsets as a prize to celebrate this month. The SoundPEATS True Wireless Earbuds Bluetooth V4.2 Twins Stereo Sound Headset means no more cables getting trapped in your clothes or on things while you move about, and the bluetooth technology ensures crystal clear sound and stable connectivity.

I haven’t yet tried these myself (my set are currently on their way), but given how impressed I’ve been with their other products I’m sure these won’t disappoint. I’m planning on giving them to my teenage son for his Christmas present as he seems to like to plug himself in when he does the washing up. RRP £59.99

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Chocolate Gift Box Giveaway

CHOCOLATE GIFT BOXES

Escapade PR have offered to send out one of each of the Malteser Gift Boxes, Mars and Snickers Gift Boxes and an M&M’s Large Gift Box.

The Maltesers gift box contains: three bags of Maltesers, two Maltesers Treat Bags, four Maltesers Teasers Bars and a box of Maltesers. RRP £13 from Next.

The Mars and Snickers Gift Box contains: three Mars bars, three Mars Duo bars, three Snickers bars, three Snickers Duo bars and a Mars Funsize pack. RRP £13 from Next.

The M&M’s Large Gift Box contains: three bags of M&M’S Chocolate, a bag of M&M’S Crispy, two bags of M&M’S Peanut, an M&M Peanut Treat Bag, an M&M Chocolate Treat Bag and an M&M Crispy Pouch. RRP £13 from Next.

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Wonderful Pistachios

WONDERFUL ALMONDS & PISTACHIOS

In the San Joaquin Valley in California, the warm days and cool nights work in harmony with the region’s naturally rich soils to create perfect growing conditions for the perfect snack — nuts that are heart-healthy and a good source of fiber, loved by consumers around the globe.

Wonderful Pistachios & Almonds is the world’s largest grower and processor of almonds and pistachios; in tandem with their Grower Partners, they farm 125,000 sunny acres that deliver 450 million pounds of nuts.

Their speciality crops are grown, processed and marketed under one entity: Wonderful Pistachios & Almonds, ensuring the finest quality every step of the way — from their trees to our hearts.

They have offered two packets of almonds and two packets of pistachios as part of this giveaway prize. Approximate value: £8.

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Image source: Shutterstock, copyright Billion Photos

image source: Shutterstock

MEGA BLOG BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY

To celebrate my blog (and my own!) birthdays, all of the above clients have offered to provide giveaway prizes for a total prize value of over £585! Prizes include: a ProWare Kitchen Mini Pan Set + Mini Ladle RRP £83; the Tuscan menu from Fine Italy RRP £54.78; a Grana Padano and Proscuitto di San Daniele gift box worth £10; a box of Mirrie Dancers chocolates worth £13; a BarWise™ Bottle Opener Gift Set from Joesph Joesph RRP £20; a £50 voucher for Pizza Express; a 5.7 litre Crock Pot worth £35.99; a Cirio Goody Bag worth £20; a Redmond Multicooker worth £175; a pair of SoundPEATS headphones worth £59.99 and a snack goodie bag from Escapade PR worth approximately £10 Edit: this has been upgraded to three chocolate gift boxes and four packets of Wonderful Almonds & Pistachios worth £47. EDIT 2 – Amedei Tuscany are also giving away one of their Prendime Bars worth £25!

Simply fill out the Rafflecopter entry form below to enter!

HOW TO ENTER

For your chance to win the Mega Blog Birthday Giveaway worth over £585 enter using the Rafflecopter form below. Come back and tweet about the giveaway every day for more chances to win!

TERMS & CONDITIONS

This giveaway is open to UK entries only. Entrants must be age 18 or over. The winner will need to respond within 30 days of being contacted; failure to do this may result in another winner being selected.

The prizes are offered and provided by each of the individual companies listed above. The prize is to win the Mega Blog Birthday Giveaway worth over £585. There is no cash alternative and the prize is not transferable.

There is no entry fee and no purchase is necessary to enter this giveaway.

The promoter (Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary) reserves the right to cancel or amend the giveaway and these terms and conditions without notice.

Entry into our giveaways will be deemed as acceptance of these terms and conditions.

If you need some help using Rafflecopter, here’s a quick clip to show you how. Rafflecopter will pick the winner at random from all the entries received. I will be verifying entries. Any automated entries or those who have claimed they have made the mandatory blog post comment and really haven’t will be disqualified. It’s mandatory! Please make sure your comment is eight words or longer or Google views it as spam and this negatively affects my spam score. All entries with comments fewer than the mandatory 8 words will be disqualified and deleted.

Closing date is midnight (that’s 00:00 hours, 12 am on Sunday night/Monday morning) on Monday 2 January 2017 (GMT). The winner will be announced shortly afterwards.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

SHARING WITH SOME BLOGGING LINKIES
Dream & Sparkle by Sparkles at Midnight

Disclosure: this is not a paid post, although Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary has received review items from all of the above companies over the course of the last five years. 

Comments

  4. Congratulations on coming this far! Such a great blog that I will continue to read for as long as you continue to post! 🙂

    Reply

  7. I turn 55 in two days and yet I still remember when 39 became 40 and it did feel a big deal! Nevertheless, I could still wear a bikini, get up off the floor without making a groaning noise and make it through the night without needing to get up to go for a wee so if you can still do all these things I suggest you just continue to enjoy being 40! 😉

    Reply

  9. Well time to put away the face creams as your eyesight starts going and glasses only make your wrinkles look bigger…from someone who has turned 50 but feels like and wishes was 40 again. Best wishes x

    Reply

  10. Happy Birthday – if the average woman lives to 84 years, you are not even halfway there yet, so you can’t even be considered middle aged! Also, with all the recent media coverage about people in their forties and fifties being at risk of either insufficient exercise, being overweight or drinking too much, you still have time to make sure you don’t become a statistic!!!

    Reply

  11. When i was in my 40’s i thought it was all doom and gloom as all i ever seemed to attend was Funerals i thought OMG is this the way my life is going to be from now on? Now ive started my 50’s it has all changed round again as this year ive already got 5 weddings to attend ( including my son’s) and friends children have babies on the way so may get invited to Christenings. Goes to Show Life gets better with age Have a wonderful New year and Birthday

    Reply

  14. I turned 40 in October and love it! My 20’s I was a workaholic, 30’s had my kids and bought my house, now I’m a chilled out young lady 🙂 middle aged is another 20 years away in my opinion

    Reply

  15. They do say Life begins at 40! I believe all us ladies are like fine wines…we improve with age! Ive always followed what my gran told me: Plenty and 20, Dirty at 30, Naughty at 40, Nifty at 50, be thankful when you get to 60 lol. Im 38 this year, roll on the naughty 40s! lol

    Reply

  21. Happy 40th birthday. I hear 40 is the new 20! Well my tablet is so slow I’ll be 60 by the time I’ve finished writing this. Have a good one and live life to the full. x

    Reply

  22. happy birthday and happy 40th i was 40 a few months back myself and when i was young that scared me getting to 40 but today i feel the same as i did 2 years ago except now im a little rounder than before and a little grayer 🙂

    Reply

  25. Happy Birthday sweetie love reading your blog I’ve tried and like many of your recipes and remember your not 40 your 18 with 22 years of Fabulous experience
    Here’s to the next wonderful 40, by which time your chair will have more controls than your car

    Reply

  26. No wise words but I do hope that you don’t have a complete melt down like I did when I turned 30! – 40 is the year after next and I don’t think that will bother me at all .

    Reply

  29. Happy birthday. I remember my 40s as being great, I was still (relatively) fit, healthy and had loads of energy. Enjoy your 40s and have lots of fun.

    Reply

  31. It might sound incredibly clichéd but things really do click into place in your forties!
    I feel less bothered by what others think now and I have become a better person because of it.
    Happy birthday and embrace your forties. I’m 42 now and love it!
    Xx

    Reply

  32. Well, life expectancy has gone up so in reality you are probably turning 30. And if life expectancy keeps increasing then you may never reach 40 – it will just keep hovering in front of you.

    Reply

  33. Happy Birthday! I’m afraid I can’t comment on life in a fourth decade as I’m still a fair way off reaching that milestone, but I always think that it’s important to live life to the full, no matter what your age. Happy New Year!

    Reply

  35. iv heard the 4th decade is one of the best! im just new into the 3rd decade and enjoying what iv got so far….life is good and all the best for 2017 xx

    Reply

  36. Congratulations and Happy Birthday. 40 is a great age, if a distant memory for me. You’ll find you no longer spend time preoccupied by what others think and can just get on with life

    Reply

  37. I am headed for my 40th in 2017 too so you’re not alone. I just hope to enjoy the time I have with the people I love!

    Reply

  48. being 40 is great , you have experience wiseness ,learnt from mistakes and feel confident about yourself. engoy this decade, do fun things

    Reply

  49. It’s not as bad as starting your sixth! Happy birthday being forty is great children are almost grown up and nearly off your hands ( they never are I lied there would’t have any other way ) your older enough to know better now and not get into scrapes ( I lied there too, it all seemed a good idea at the time) Embrace being 40 its lots of fun its time for a little me time enjoy, life does’t have to change because of a number Happy Birthday!

    Reply

  54. Fabulous blog! just stumbled across you today for the first time 🙂 I read your story and for one stranger to another, i’m really proud of you! I know that might sound weird but having the courage to even get online and share recipes as a hobby takes confidence, but to then develop it as you have and make it a career you love is fantastic! it’s inspiring to read and i’m looking forward to delving into your website more 🙂

    Good luck for the future in developing your dream further and be proud of all you’ve achieved!

    Jen x

    Reply

  57. Helen Keller — ‘I cried because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet’
    Remember this in all your dealings and you won’t go far wrong – Happy birthday x

    Reply

  59. Exactly what I will be next birthday so you are not alone lol. I’m having a massive kids party to rebel having a bouncy castle and all sorts x

    Reply

  60. 40 is a breeze, found it easier than turning 39 – and just look what you have done in the last five years – your 40’s will be brilliant!!

    Reply

  61. A big birthday is an extra special excuse for a celebration. I share with you my favourite food based joke for the occasion. What do you call an ape with whipped egg whites on his head? A Meeang-Utan

    Reply

  63. Many congratulations! And here’s a joke for the smile: What did the Stilton say to the Cheddar? Tell me something cheesy because I’m feeling blue!

    Weeeell… it’s not FUNNY but I hope you smiled wryly at its ridiculousness!

    Reply

  64. Congratulations on being 5ish!

    I think you should celebrate with 5 cookies and 5 glasses of wine 🙂

    Reply

  73. Happy Birthday. 40 is the new 20 – more confidence more wisdom! Congratulations on your 4th decade of your blog

    Here’s to the next four decades

    Reply

  79. happy birthday, its true life does begins at 40. well I have found this to be true, it seems that confidence comes out big time, and you have more time for yourself and your husband as the kids are growing up and more independent

    Reply

  83. Life begins at 40. You can seize the day and make of life whatever you desire, reach for the stars. life is for living

    Reply

  88. Happy Birthday to you and it would be a fantastic one for me too if I was lucky enough to win this totally amazing Prize ,,And no worries at 40 you’re still a spring chicken , me on the other hand not so much its not the age that’s doing it though its the fact I’m about to turn 49 and have 9 grandchildren !

    Reply

  89. I am 47 and I am still waiting for life to begin ! I have a passion for food like your self and feel that I not only have to eat food I see but dream food also !! Have fun and enjoy life.

    Reply

  90. Happy Birthday and happy New Year! The funny thing about age is that the more you think about it, the older you feel.

    Reply

  95. Happy personal birthday and happy birthday to you for the blog. What a fab achievement. You’ve got lots of great fans, which is so well deserved. That’s something to be very proud of as you turn 40. Congratulations. Thanks for the lovely giveaway too.

    Reply

  98. Just enjoy, you have more confidence in yourself in your forties, and your best friends by now will be mostly long-term who you can laugh with, moan and have a rant about things with occasionally, but mainly have fun with and together with them you never feel like you’ve hit forty, in fact you feel like you’ve never grown up!

    Reply

  107. Happy returns! Just remember life begins at 40 and it’s the perfect opportunity to look back on all you’ve achieved and all the good things still to come.

    Reply

  108. I dreaded turning 40 and made sure we were are on holiday when it happened to soften the blow. I woke up on my birthday and guess what? I didnt feel any different. Its really painless!!

    Reply

  112. Happy birthday to you, I am finishing mine and have to say they have been great and I have enjoyed them all and come and join me on the journey, you will not regret it

    Reply

  113. The older you get the faster times goes by. You only have one life so go for it, live life to the full. Your life is what you make it.

    Reply

  114. I felt this way turning 30 ! Now I’m 34 I feel wiser and ready for 40’s your still young ! Plus it’s only a number . In my head I’m still 15! Would love to win this year is all about spoiling myself and being as happy as possible this will definitely help ! Xx

    Reply

  125. I’ve just turned 40 too and was dreading it, it’s not so bad, it’s now my excuse to drink decent wine while I (very selectively) pretend to be a grown up! Happy birthday 🙂

    Reply

  136. You’re halfway there!!! LOL! As one who is halfway through my 4th decade… I am not sure how that thought makes me feel… the jury is still out. 🙂

    Reply

  141. Congratulations on five years of blogging and here’s to many more! Forty is just a number – just think of yourself as a 20 year old with 20 years experience which will let you make the next decade the best.

    Reply

  143. I am celebrating my 40th on 4th Jan. Embrace it, I’m looking forward to giving a few new things a try this year and making the most of it. Have a great birthday !!

    Reply

  147. Happy birthday!! I have to say that when you turn 40 it must suddenly make you even better looking. It was my Fiance’s 40th in June and I must say……… Ding Dong!!! Sending magical 40th birthday vibes!!!

    Reply

  148. I hope you’ve had a wonderful birthday and embraced everything wonderful in life! Because you know what? Decade Schmecade! Number Schmumber! Age Schmage! It means nothing! And as they say….you’re only as old as the lover you feel! xo

    Reply

  152. Just think of Nigella Lawson, who has gone past her 4th decade, as an inspiration. (I hope that makes you smile).

    Reply

  160. Happy Fortylicious Birthday!
    Birthdays are good for your health, a recent study has proven that people who have more birthdays live longer 🙂

    Reply

  164. Happy birthday, remember;

    Youth is a gift of nature
    but
    Age is a work of art.

    Hope you have a wonderful year ahead.

    Reply

  166. Happy Birthday! Hope you get all you desire and wish for. This is fist time i have seen your blog and have to say it is great, well done keep it up in 2017 i will definitely be returning.

    Reply

  167. Just think of all those happy times and funny moments you made with family and friends in those years and you’ve only got more to make and remember with age

    Reply

  168. Penblwydd Happus – remember life has just began treasure every moment, laugh as much as possible as these times we make

    Reply

  169. This is my first visit to your site and I am impressed with your cooking skills and your amazing connections in the world of food. Being 40 means being bang in the middle of your life! With your talents there is nothing to be afraid of…..you will always survive!

    Reply

  173. 40 is the new 30, embrace it and be grateful for everything you have including your great talent as a much loved blogger. Happy Birthday beautiful lady,

    Reply

  174. How many archaeologists does does it take to change a lightbulb ?
    A: Three. One to change it and two to argue about how old the old one is

    Reply

  179. You’ll be fine turning 40- it’s really not so bad, happy birthday. If anything it gives you confidence to completely be yourself so I hope you’ll be happy and carefree x

    Reply

  182. Happy 40th to you! i recently turned 30 and after being in denial it wasnt so bad! after all its just a number! have a fab time 🙂 x

    Reply

  185. Getting older means getting wiser , more patient, more understanding, more compassionate. Whats not to like.

    Reply

  194. Happy Birthday. I think you are still a bairn. 40 is no age at all, well it seems no age to me when I am knocking on 72. Forget the number and have fun.

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  199. 50 is the new 40 I’m told so you have another 10 years to go. I’m still young in my head and I’m 60 and still stupid

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  200. Happy Birthday, you’re very talented and make alot of people happy following your wonderful blog, keep it up and all the best for 2017!!

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  203. Celebrate your 40’s – you’re older, wiser, smarter and more body confident than you were in your 20’s – and you no longer care what people think!

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  205. First of all…..Happy Birthday 🙂 They do say that life begins at 40 so wipe that tear away and start the next part of your great adventure with a smile on your face and love in your heart 🙂

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  206. Happy birthday! I hope you have a fantastic day, and are truly spoilt, and don’t forget, 40 is the new 20! 🙂 xx

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  207. 40 is just a number, you are as old as you feel.
    I feel like a 25 year old, instead I have a 50 something year old asleep next to me!!!!

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  209. Happy Birthday and blogiversary. Age is just a number – remember to love yourself and care or yourself so others will as well. Do what I say and reply 21 with a big smile when anyone asks your age – very rarely do people probe any further; they’re not that brave!

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  216. A massive happy birthday! , Its my birthday in feb so this would be a fantastic gift to receive, thank you for the chance

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  224. Age Is just a number,just because we’re all getting older doesn’t mean we have to take things easy,lifes to short to worry about our age
    Enjoy everyday as we will never get that time again
    Happy Birthday, go for It girl xx

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  227. big happy birthday!!! enjoy your day and look back and remember all that you’ve achieved and you’ll see how fabulous you are xxxx

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  234. Try to make sure you live your life in such a way that when time machines are invented, you can proudly turn around and say ‘I have no need to go back in time because I have truly lived my life in the best possible way’. Happy 40th birthday!!

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  237. 40 is great- you have the resources to do all the stuff you couldnt at 20 and the wisdom to know better but do them anyway because hey youre not 50 yet!!

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  239. I had a big birthday this year and was mortified about joining a new number.
    It’s not so bad at all and was worth a if the fuss and champagne 🙂 Happy Birthday xx

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  241. Forty was fantastic but fifty is absolutely fabulous! The last 10/11 years have been the bet and most adventurous of my life. Scream ‘Bring It On!’ at the top of your lungs and eenjoy every minute!

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  244. It’s not good, but it’s better than the alternative – death. So Happy Birthday and remember you’re as young as you feel so live life to the full and enjoy the journey! I’m in my 50’s, trust me 40’s are fine…

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  245. Happy 40th…you’re still a pup 😉 My only advice is to stay away from long rafflecopters…they eat up precious xmas celebration and birthday party time…hehe!

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  248. You’re not forty – more like a pair of twenty-year olds!

    Q. How do you confuse someone over forty?
    A. Aubergine

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  249. Happy birthday lovely, don’t worry about your age, think of yourself as a fine whisky – only getting more fabulous with age

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  251. Happy Birthday! Celebrate with a conga around your neighbourhood and get as many people to join in as you can and then post a picture on your blog!

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  253. Happy Birthday – i wish you lots of FIZZ, bubbles and presents big and small; so you have the best birthday of ALL.

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  259. Happy Birthday, just think it’s still another 10 years before you can go on Saga holidays, 20 years before you get a free bus pass and 25 years before you can get a free TV licence!

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  260. I have a sister 10 years younger than me so she is a constant reminder of how much more confident I get with age (she is 25 & I am 35) – when I see her I realise how much I prefer being me at any age!

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  262. Best things about turning 40……

    1) You suddenly realise that you can wear what you want and when you want, and not really care what anybody thinks. I.e. Want to dress like a fairy, wings and all? Do it! People will think you’re eccentric and ‘funky’ for your age.
    2) You will no longer feel obliged to go to anything, just because your mates do for fear of missing out. Equally, you won’t fear booking to get onto a workshop or whatever on your own because you have confidence to do it alone! Yay to stuffing a dead rat, making hats etc.
    3) You can still act your shoe size!

    Happy birthday!

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  264. 40 is the new 30 – just start a brand new state of mind – “I don’t care what people think of me – I know I am the best at what I do”. Wear what you want to wear – don’t be pigeon-holed into a certain look. And just be HAPPY – enjoy every day- laugh every day – often at yourself specially if you forget something as this will happen more often lol. Talk to yourself too – it helps believe me lol.

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  266. Happy Birthday! New Follower here and your photography is incredible! Congratulations on 5 years of blogging that is quite an achievement!

    xxx

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  268. Plus sides to getting older – 1. Cheaper car insurance, 2. Hang on I’m still thinking … there must be something else. Sod it! It must be my age. Let’s focus on the car insurance eh?

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  269. Happy Birthday Elizabeth You have done great work. I love to read your beautiful content not easy to find other blogs

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  271. You know what they say, life begins at forty. Don’t believe ’em though lol it began years before then! HAve a Happy Birthday 🙂

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  273. I’m 2.5 years off that one as well, it’s a number and think of the wealth of experience that you can still help people who are slightly younger than you. Stay young.

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  278. Happy birthday. Turning 40 is nothing to worry about, I turned 40 myself a couple of months ago and I’m determined it will be my best decade yet

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  280. Happy birthday! 40 is the best year as you now have a licence to do as you want! It is when life really begins and you can start to put yourself first more and so I say do something really memorable anddo something you have always wanted to do!

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  286. Happy Birthday. Just after turning 40 I decided to take up martial arts something prior to my 40s I never had any interest in. Love it and hope to promote to 1st degree black belt in 2017.

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  288. Happy belated birthday to both you and your blog! I’m trying to think of something vaguely witty but I’m too exhausted to think, so I’m sorry about that!

    I do, however, always look forward to reading your blog 🙂 and I hope you continue to write for many more years!

    Reply

  293. Forty is nothing to worry about. I’m 58 and looking 60 square in th eye. If it’s one thing I’ve learned age is just a number, and forty is the new 25! Embrace it and enjoy it.

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  299. Happy Birthday Christmas Baby! I loved my 30’s – those were my best looking years, good hair, good skin, best career years too. In my 40’s I have home with the kiddos – getting squishy! ☺

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  302. Happy Birthday Elizabeth! Keep up the good work in everything you do! Your blog is amazing and always an inspiration for me 🙂 xx

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  304. Well, when I was turning 40 i was worried life would be downhill from then onwards, however it proved to be the beginning of the best years of my life. Happy birthday! Allison.

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  306. Have a fantastic birthday. I was 40 last year and although some old hag told me it was all downhill from now (miserable old biddy!), I disagree. Age is only a number and you are only as old as you feel. I went off to Australia for a 3 week holiday on my own to celebrate my 40th birthday and it was the best holiday ever. Treat yourself!

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  310. Oh my that crock pot looks wonderful. I would use it for my chilli con carni. I can almost smell the awesome smell of the tomato meat garlic and chilli if I close my eyes….yummy perfect for these cold winters days.

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  313. This will cheer you up……a joke that my 4 year old received in a cracker and she keeps telling it over and over….and over (usually getting it wrong)

    Why are ghosts such bad liars?

    You can see right through them!!!!

    HAHAHA

    Reply

  314. congrats on your birthday, i’ve been that and done it, I treated as just another birthday but told everybody I was 39 + 1, the next year it was 39 + 2 and so on until I got to 45 then I just could not be bothered any more

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  318. Wishing you a very Happy birthday! Don’t forget age is just a number, you’re an amazing person, it’s how you feel inside the matters most. Many thanks for the amazing giveaway. I love reading your blog and enjoy your many lovely photos, good luck for the future.

    Reply

  320. Happy 40th birthday to you! As well have happy 5th blog birthday too. Looking forward to many more happy years reading your blog. So much inspiration.

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  327. Embrace it, I have and I’m loving the new adventure. Such amazing prizes on offer, may I wish you a very happy birthday and more amazing years blogging x

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  335. Embrace your 40s, have fun, keep blogging, enjoy your lovely family. Do as you always do grab opportunities as present themselves. Have a wonderful birthday Elizabeth.

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  336. Happy birthday Elizabeth, eat well, keep fit enjoy your family and keep smiling. Embrace your life age is a state of mind. My OH went onto the doldrums on his 40th, however; he took his 50th in his stride. I love your blog and that giveaway is just to die for.

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  340. Happy birthday! You should smile knowing that through your blog you spark the imaginations of countless people. I’m looking forward to my 40s because my 30s have definitely been better than my 20s, so the 40s should be great! Hopefully it’s the same for you too.

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  350. Four turtles were celebrating their 40th birthdays together, when they ran out of ice cream. They decided the oldest one, Fred, should go to the store and get more.

    The rest of them waited for Fred to come back, but after a couple of days they started getting frustrated. The youngest one said, “Poor Fred. Ever since he turned 40 he’s really getting slow.”

    A voice from behind the door said, “If you’re gonna start saying bad things about me behind my back, l’m not even going.”

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  351. You’re only as old as you feel. I’m sure you don’t look your age. Age is only a number. Let me know how it is on the other side, as I’ll be joining you there next April! x

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  352. 40 isn’t even remotely old! I’m 45 and loving it! Speaking generally of course, but people in their 40s have loads of energy, experience of life and confidence ( I’m not afraid to say No to people anymore!). I honestly prefer being in my 40s to my 30s! Have a wonderful birthday and welcome to a very special and exclusive club!

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  366. I hear 40 is the new 20! 🙂 Don’t be sad; the best years are yet to come. I’m not far behind you! Happy Birthday

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  367. I can’t seem to see my comment so I’m sorry if I’m not commenting twice

    40 big congratulations I’m 30 in may – can’t wait lol

    Reply

  368. Woohoo! 40 and doing fantastically! You are inspiring, creative, determined and focussed…… great way to start your next chapter! And as one who has been there (the 40 bit that is…. not the inspiring,creative etc etc bit) and has this year entered decade 5, I promise the journey has really just begun.Continue to embrace life, cook great food and love well! HAPPY BIRTHDAY xx
    Kate – gluten free alchemist recently posted…Chicken, Squash & Gruyere Quiche – gluten freeMy Profile

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  369. Congratulations on turning 40. Fabulous AND forty! Great 5 years of blogging too. I’m relatively a new reader but love it xx

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  370. Have a fab one. It’s just a number , hopefully one which signals a great decade, you are old enough to know yourself a bit but young enough to get away with naughtiness. Enjoy it, savour the days and take some risks, it gets trickier once you hit the next decade 🙂 Health is all that matters, as I learnt at age 39, if you have that, you are sorted. Amazing giveaway.

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  372. What a fantastic array of prizes in your Giveaway. Well I suppose such a wonderful milestone birthday is worth celebrating.

    I dreaded the big four oh, not as much as I dreaded the big five oh … and now I’m half way to the next one. You are but a youngster.

    Anyway age is all in the mind, and I think your blog gives away nicely that you are indeed very young in mind and heart 🙂

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  373. Congrats and happy birthday! Forty is nothing! I’m on my way to 42 and I still feel like I’m in my 30s! Onwards and upwards!

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  378. Happy birthday!

    I’m not a fan of birthdays either, so a few years back I promised myself to partake in something every year that takes me out of my comfort zone or do/learn something new ever year. As I turn (hesitantly) older every year I’ve now got something to look back fondly back at, and generally live life with little regret.
    If all else fails, have a tequila! (Or limoncello)

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  388. Happy Birthday !
    Two quotes come to mind –

    Forty is the old age of youth; fifty is the youth of old age. – Victor Hugo
    and
    Women are most fascinating between the ages of 35 and 40 after they have won a few races and know how to pace themselves. Since few women ever pass 40, maximum fascination can continue indefinitely. – Christian Dior

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  392. The thought of you making a full Christmas dinner today makes my mouth water. It’s our wedding anniversary on the 21st December but Dave will be working and by the time he gets home washed and showered it’s going to be a tad late. So we went out last night and had a wee pre anniversary meal. I had my first full Christmas dinner of the season and loved it. Abreslutly delisious. I could gladly have the same dinner at least three times per week until new year. Nothing beats a Christmas dinner for me. Enjoy yours today x

    Reply

  393. Do something you’ve never done before or do that one thing you always wanted to do. Remember age is just a number. Happy Birthday

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  403. Well . I thought I had already sent you a comment but I can’t find it so I will try again. Firstly mega massive congratulations on 5 years of blogging and an even bigger congratulations and celebrations at being so lucky that you’re only a mere 40 years old. You youngster you! Life begins at forty! Use every day wisely with no regrets and do the things you wished you’d done but never got around to found. Cherish every day with your beautiful family but keep a little bit of time to share with us too. You’re an awesome lady. God bless you and yours extra mega good xxx

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  404. Happy birthday. God bless. Everything you said icompared with myself. It was my birthday yesterday but I am much older than you(65) I still got my teeth. The only thing is the creaking bones especially in the morning. I am sure you don’t have pain in situ in your body. Enjoy your birthday….40 is the new 20. Ha ha. Xxx

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  412. Happy Birthday and Blogversary, I was a bit worried about turning 40 a couple of years ago, but it didn’t hurt at all.

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  417. Have a great 40th Birthday, I passed that quite a few years ago, my next big birthday will be 60! Great giveaway prize you are doing. Hope you get some nice things for your birthday 🙂

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  418. Yours was the very first food blog that I followed and it remains one of my very favourite . I love everything about it and your recipes have never let me down.
    Have a wonderful birthday and remember that 40 is the new 20 without all the self doubt and with all the knowledge, go forward and enjoy!!

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  431. It will just keep getting more fun. Remember when 30 was scary? I dont know about you, but the 30s were pretty fun for me 🙂 So looking forward to the 40s being even better!

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  432. Hope you have a lovely birthday, I turned 40 last year & felt just how you are as how can it really be 20 years ago that I was 20?! It must only have been 8 or 9 years ago at the most, surely?! Prosecco helps that’s the only advice I can offer you .

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  434. Happy Birthday. Hope the celebrations include processo and cake …. The two key ingredients to celebrate in style woo hoo

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  437. Happy Birthday to you and your blog, good luck for the next 40/5. And thank you for this amazing giveaway!

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  442. When I turned 40 a few short years ago my youngest daughter said to me -‘ oh mummy you’re not old you only have a few wrinkles and two grey hairs!” it made me laugh so much that I forgot all about the number. I hope you have a lovely birthday! x

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  445. 40s are great – no pressure to do anything just because it’s in fashion, so you can ignore daft clothes, hideous makeup trends and don’t need to know any celebrity or reality star!

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  447. Couldn’t see a fire-alarm in the Birthday giveaway, I take it there will be no sparkler candles used from now on!!

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  449. Happy Birthday. 40 is the new 30 (so they say) and once you’ve had a drink it doesn’t really matter anyway lol 🙂

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  450. Forty is the beginning of a whole new venture – old enough to have the knowledge of what’s best for you and when to quit, young enough to enjoy every moment.

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  458. I’m nearly at my 50th decade & if I filled in that whole rafflecopter I’d neatly be at my 60th! It’s tooooo long

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  461. Wishing you a very happy birthday. Remember what my cousin told me, when she reached 40 “I’ll always be 25 in my head”

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  466. Happy 5th Blogaversary and Happy 40th.
    Look at it this way ….
    Being 40 means that you’ve experienced enough to know what you want and are still young enough to go after it.
    I hope you acquire everything you pursue x

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  471. Always remember that one you turn 40 that means you’re twice as sexy as two twenty year olds! Happy Birthday 🙂

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  472. It’s not that bad actually, I thought I’d feel really old at 40 but I still don’t feel grown up and I’m 4 years into it. You’re only as young as you want to feel so don’t even give it a second thought. Enjoy your day.

    Reply

    • I’m three days in and I seem to have survived so far (mostly with wine and not thinking about aging too much, lol!). Thank you for your comment, and good luck with the giveaway! 🙂

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  476. I just found your blog and love it! I am a keen baker and am going to be baking the CHOCOLATE PISTACHIO CAKE very soon! Keep an eye on my instagram page as I always post my attempts 🙂 @happiness_and_honeyloops also I always struggle for new breakfast smoothie recipes and love the addition of chia seeds into your quick breakfast smoothy recipe! I have subscribed to your newsletter and am excited to see more! 😀

    Happy Christmas and happy Birthday!!

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    • Just realised recently (actually my grandmother pointed it out!) I’m actually entering my fifth decade – I’ve just finished my fourth. I feel really, really old now…! Thank you for your comment, and good luck with the giveaway!

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  481. Happy Birthday, as someone in their mid-fifties be happy and enjoy your time. You appear to be doing something you love which is more than a lot of people.

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  483. I don’t know how well this will work typed, rather than spoken, but it’s my favourite joke – so hope it makes you smile 🙂
    What’s a pirate’s favourite letter?
    (usual answer: R)
    (spoken in a pirate’s voice) Ye may think it be R, but a pirate’s first love be the C!

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  485. Happy birthday!! My daughter is 4 and I needed to know what colour scooter she wanted for Christmas so I told her Santa had rung me to ask, lol!!

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    • Haha, good way to look at it. 🙂 I still feel 16, it’s just that my body has decided to not co-operate! Thanks for commenting, and good luck with the giveaway! 🙂

      Reply

  492. Life begins at 40!!
    I had a great 40th birthday, open house all day and family and friends came to celebrate with me into the early hrs of the next day.
    I also had a weekend away and simply enjoyed every part of it
    Happy birthday x

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  502. Have a great birthday and you are a great blogger and one i look forward too reading. its also my 40th birthday xmas day

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  504. Happy 40th Birthday and congratulations on your 5 year blog anniversary! I’m 47 and can safely say that your 40s are nothing to be afraid of – I’m happier and more confident than I’ve ever been. Remember age is just a number ;o)

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  505. Happy birthday. Entering a new decade is exciting. I’m only 5 years behind you. Hope you’re enjoying getting older as much as I am. Congratulations on the blog too. Love your food and your photography btw.

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  508. Happy birthday. The best is yet to come…..on the other hand you may still feel like a teenager, but now you will have to live with them too!!

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  512. Birthday greetings. I’m joining the 60s club in February! What a fantastic Italian themed festive giveaway!

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    • It does seem to feature a lot of Italian products, doesn’t it! That wasn’t deliberate, but it’s rather nice. Happy Birthday when your big day comes around! Thanks for commenting, and good luck with the giveaway! 🙂

      Reply

  513. Happy birthday and welcome to the 40’s club! lol nothing changes really I still feel and act like in my twenties, it’s just a number!

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  515. Happy Birthday and congratulations on five years of blogging. I have enjoyed reading it and look forward to more great blog content in the future.

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  517. Happy Birthday!!! I was so scared of turning 40, that I remember being in full on panic mode, as the clock got nearer to midnight! Now, I look back and wonder what I was worrying about. I think being 40 made me feel more confident, more grown up somehow and generally just more comfortable in my own skin. Enjoy!!!!

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  518. Wish there were links for the pinterest & youtube part of the entry as i can’t find them by copying & pasting :S

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    • My social media following buttons are all on the top right hand corner of my sidebar. I’d have to pay to upgrade Rafflecopter to add links to those options, and it’s rather expensive.

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  520. hope this will make you laugh – my twin babies turned 1 last week, Twin one discover yesterday that she has a belly button too, not just Twin two. she was playing with it all day and she had this big grin on her face, made me laugh lol

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  522. Happy 40th ! Beauty has no age & i assure you, 40’s isn’t bad at all. I’m 45 & feel better about myself than 30s….just shine ! : )

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  525. Happy Birthday I am not too far behind you 🙂 I think this is our chance to do so much more now… the world is finally ready for us 😉

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  526. What a fabulous giveaway, if I win I’d share with my grown up daughters. They say 60 is the new 40, so 49 must be the new 20 lol

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  528. I will be 55 on the 13th December! What always keeps me feeling ok about my age and how I look is seeing someone who is older than me looking fabulous and happy. It gives me hope that it’s going to be ok. Ps. Turning 40 isn’t so bad, you’re still a whippersnapper compared to me!!!

    Reply

    • That’s a really good way to look at it, Caroline. 🙂 Happy birthday when your big day comes around, I hope you’re doing something fantastic to celebrate!

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  529. Don’t worry about getting older. It’s that time of year when Secret Santa rears its head.

    Do I buy deodorant
    For the office stinky?
    He never takes a wash or bath
    And his clothes are always filthy.

    What if I get the boss again?
    I remember last year’s Christmas bash
    I’d bought him some nice aftershave
    Which gave him quite a rash.

    I think I’ll stick to chocolate
    Unless I get Clare O’Heegan
    I once wooed her with some posh milk chocs
    Turned out she was a vegan.

    Oh mercy me. Oh fiddlesticks!
    Stuff this Christmas cheer
    Secret Santa drives me crackers
    I can’t wait ’til it’s New Year!

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  535. A very merry unbirthday to you! Listening to heavy music while cooking is a must in every house hold. I find Dido doesnt produce the same result as Metallica.

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  536. Congratulations on both the anniversary and the 4 decades. Turning 40 is only trivial in retrospect- I definitely remember how major it felt at the time!

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  546. Wow so many entries here, I stand no chance! I was really worried about hitting 50 last year but I don’t feel any different! Keep up your fitness would be my advice, I did a 10 mile race (running) round Donnington race track to celebrate 51, now that is weird…ps your blog is great!

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  560. Half the reason I’m posting this is to wish you a happy 40th birthday! The other half is because I want to win 🙂

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  563. I’m right there with you, as I turn 40 next April. I am doing everything I can to hold back the years, rather than growing older gracefully! Can we agree 40 is the new 20?

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  564. Happy Birthday, I shall me entering this club next too. Hope its been wonderful and continues to be a great Birthday week and weekend

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  566. Happy Blog Birthday and Happy Birthday.
    Statistics show that those who have the most birthdays live the longest!

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  569. happy birthday hun…life begins at 40….lol….i couldnt think of anything else to make u smile,so heres my fav joke.whats green and stands in a corner…….a naughty frog…lol.x

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  577. I hit my 4th decade last year and the best way to deal with it is to remember your still the same person. If you still feel 26 and want to behave that way, do not let anything stop you!!

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  582. HBTY….welcome to the naughty forties, it’s great to be 20 …….twice! Enjoy you day and keep blogging

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  587. Happy birthday! 40 is just the beginning of amazing things that will happen. Alot of people say the best years are after 40!

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  589. I too wasn’t looking forward to turning 40 yet my forties have truly been fabulous. I have grown to have a confidence and more self belief and I really hope that is how it is for you. I’d say there’s real freedom in turning 40. Happy Birthday x

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  590. Look on the bright side, at least you’re not turning 50 as I did this year! Actually I find life gets even better with age.

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  591. you’re not alone, I turn 40 this next year! I’m looking forward to it as it shows the experience in life I have and the friends i’ve accumulated over the years!!

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  594. Happy birthday! There’s a lot to enjoy about your 40s – you’ve finished doing all your growing up but you’ve not started on your getting old (which, take my word for it, is no fun). Enjoy!

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  599. Ah, this is a hard one. I hate cheesy sentiments and bland platitudes, but I’d have to say (as someone a year off my fourth decade) the best thing about getting older is not giving a f*ck. I’ve learned not to give a f*ck about so many things and it’s really liberating. When you get to this age you need to have learned how to stand up for yourself and stand up for others in the face of utter nonsense. I’ve done better and braver things in defense of women I did not know against men who were total nutbars in the last year than I’ve done in my entire life. And I’m proud of that.

    So I think being older is about being brave and figuring out the things that matter. Sure, I wish I was thinner, fitter, better, on time, but I’ve realised I’m good at other things and I’m a good ally and also (for someone who won’t have children) a great auntie. Have a great 40th year and revel in your strengths, knowing that so much of what we worried about in our younger years is dross and noise and simply does not matter any more. Celebrate yourself. Be fierce. And don’t give a single f*ck. x

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  602. Everything starts sliding south once you reach 40 so why fight it? Book your whole self a Holiday in the Bahamas to celebrate xx

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  603. 4th decade……child, I’ve just gone into my 6th (and my wife says I’m still like an overgrown child). 🙂

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  612. With advances in technology and increased health improvements throughout your lifetime, you’re the equivalent of a teenager in the 17th Century 🙂

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  623. Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday to Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary, happy birthday to you!

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  626. Happy birthday, you have achieved so much in your life, surround yourself by your achievements and take a moment to reflect 🙂

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  627. Hey I am 70 next month so you are a mere child to me – have done so much since i was 40 inc white water rafting, have visited so many different places, off to the Antarctic in 2017 – my advice is not to think how old you are but what opportunities there are to enjoy you next decades

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  629. Happy birthday! and happy blog birthday

    Why was the birthday cake as hard as a rock?

    Because it was marble cake

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  632. You’re only as young as the man you feel! (or so they say!) Happy birthday and thank you for this wonderful giveaway!x

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  637. Happy Birthday. Lets see if this joke will make you smile.
    Q. What does Santa suffer from when he gets stuck in the chimney?
    A. Claustrophobia.

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  643. My 40’s have been my best decade yet, it brings confidence, wisdom and a wonderful sense of self. Embrace it. Many happy returns! x

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  649. Happy Birthday! Remember, all your favourite childhood things are coming back on trend and this time you have the maturity to not open the packets (!) so in 40 years time you can be the one cashing in on eBay with vintage boxed items!

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  652. Enjoy and celebrate both occasions, you have done a wonderful job on your blog. Hopefully we will see lots of ideas/suggestions and articles as to how to cope with the xmas cooking nightmare!!

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  655. Happy 40th Elizabeth 🙂 & Happy Birthday to your fab blog too.
    I started following your blog initially as I have a dream that my husband & I will move to Shetland, now that our children are all leaving home. Maybe we’ll get there but in the meantime I’m enjoying reading your blog immensely.
    Incidentally, 40 was good – now 50 – that’s another story! xx

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  659. Fret not, I am a few years ahead of you and can reliably inform that 50 is the new 40 and we’ve loads of time to act young still.

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  660. Happy birthday, I used to think my mums platform boots from the 70’s were amazing and now I have some in loft left from the 90’s oh my how does time fly!
    Such a great blog.

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  670. I found that once I hit 40 I really stopped caring about what other people think, heaven help the world if I reach 80!

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  673. well at least you are not approaching your 5th decade. the 40’s are the best , its all down hill from here

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  675. Happy Birthday to you! You are doing so well and 40, well it’s just a number. Having passed that several years ago I can say that there is so much more to come, you should be looking forward (not back). Put on your best glad rags and enjoy everything that presents itself to you – it all passes by even faster now! You don’t want to look back at 50 or 60 or 70 and say I wish I had…. Don’t put anything off, do it now, whilst you can. Life is for living and you only get one chance at it!

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  680. i’m catching up with you! i think you should be so proud of yourself, your blog is fantastic and you have achieved so much. you go backwards when you hit 4-0 anyway!

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  681. Enjoy your 40s, you still have the energy to do all the things you could do in your 30s but way more confidence to choose just what you want to do. You’ve already started on that journey with your freelance work, as your family get older and more independent I see a bright future for you as a travel and food blogger as your writing is excellent.
    Janice recently posted…How to create your perfect cheeseboardMy Profile

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  699. I wish that I was on my fourth decade. I can’t even remember when I was 40. The good news is that life gets even better so you have so much to look forward to. Have a great birthday

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  706. 40 was a biggie for me too, but I’m 45 now and I can honestly say that each decade my life has got better! Happy Birthday!

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  712. Happy Birthday Lovely, The 40’s are the best decade because you know who you are & what you want out of life 🙂 x

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  716. I turn 40 next year and was feeling a bit miserable about it but then I read a chapter of Oprah Winfrey’s book ‘What I know for sure’ where she explained that she celebrates every single year she gets older because it’s a blessing denied to many. It certainly made me look at it in a whole new way. I’m going to celebrate it within an inch of it’s life ! Congrats on both your blogging birthday and turning 40.
    Angela Webster recently posted…November At The WebstersMy Profile

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  718. Definitely no cause to worry about turning 40. When I was a kid I remember the grown ups telling me that life begins at 40 and I thought they must be delusional but sitting here at 45 years old, I realise that I still enjoy life to the full and what’s more, I am far better at organising life to fit what Pete and I love most. At 40 you know who you are, who you are not, what you like and what you don’t, and who to love and who loves you back. What more can you need?
    Kavey recently posted…The Kavey Eats Pete Drinks Christmas Gin GuideMy Profile

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  726. I hope you have a wonderful birthday. x
    I understand what you are going through. I had my birthday last month and it seems 40s are getting to close (I’m 34). I was happy when I had my 30th birthday, but I’m not that on this one either.
    Anca recently posted…365 Project – NovemberMy Profile

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  729. With life expectancy rising,you are not even half way through your innings,as long as you treat your body as a temple,not, like me,as an amusement arcade.

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  730. Happy double birthday! Being 40 isn’t so bad, I was dreading it, but apart from one creaky knee, I don’t feel any different to how I did in my 20’s.

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  731. Wooo! You’re 5! (well, not you personally of course, that would be quite impressive!) what a lovely giveaway and blog you have here, here’s to another 5 years (and more after!)
    x

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  733. Happy Birthday and Congratulations for 5 years of blogging! You’re blog is so beautiful and inspiring! 🙂

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